Manassas National Battlefield Park

Manassas Battlefield Park is beautiful maintained. The Visitor Center is excellent. Highly recommend the movie prior to touring the Battlefield. Very clean restrooms. The gift shop has an excellent variety of books. Recommend doing the driving tour if this is your first visit. Recommend a visit to Mathew Hill to see the two naval 12 pound howitzers that was used during the battle.

This was a visit that brought a lot of history to life. To have been at the Battlefield Park at the end of September 2023, with the heavy clouds, was really a rich experience. I also purchased a two books from the book store, one of which is slave narratives.

We took the grand kids to explore the battlefield. The guided tour was terrific. The ranger was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the battle, especially the context (our tour covered the 1st Battle of Bull Run). The visitor center has a great museum and the movie about the battles was extremely well done. I would caution that the scenes are very graphic and parents may want to discuss the movie before/after if your kids are 14 and younger.

Took the kids and got there early, did the educational film (45 min) in the visitor center, stamped passports etc and did the first Manassas loop. Took us about 2 hours (with kids) to do 4.5 miles so not bad. So much to see along the way, and the stone house was open so we got a nice little break to look around, talk to the rangers, and get their ranger pins.

This is a nice simple park to spend time at. There's a lot of history associated with it and they play a movie in the visitor center. The staff is friendly and there's a big parking lot. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but if you're in the area, it's certainly worth a visit. Would recommend!

We walked the 5.2 mile First Battle of Manassas Trail Loop. On the AllTrails app, it suggests the average walk time is 2 hours. Allot more time to stop and read the informative signs at the waypoints. It makes the trip more robust when you can understand what things are and the battles that were fought in the very place you are standing. The trail is well maintained, there are shortcuts along the way if you choose not to do the full loop, the bridge crossing Bull Run is out so we crossed through the water on rocks, and about half is in the woods (shaded) while the rest is out in the open. Be aware: the small parking lot was almost full when we arrived.

Interesting, historically accurate and moving. Gazing upon the area you can feel the spirit, the camaraderie and the dedication of the brave soldiers who lost their lives fighting for freedom.

museum with movie at every hour
animated map of the battleground inside
free guided 45 min tour.
Ask for starting time ( today 2pm )

This is such a great place to visit! There are multiple paths for all hikers, beginners to advanced. The paths are smooth and clear, including some for bikers. I really like the fact that you can learn about history along the way, including some buildings and cannons you can go right up and look at. Because it is in Virginia, it does get humid over the summer so definitely bring some water! There is also a guest house with bathrooms and vending machines at the parking lot if needed.

Beautiful place with a huge amount of history, dry well laid-out, easy to access and walk around

Very informative. Rangers are knowledgeable in the history of the surrounding area. You will not be disappointed if you take the short narrated tour.

I had an enjoyable experience exploring the battlefield on a Monday in early March. I took the walking tour with the ranger, I don’t remember his name but he was very knowledgeable and a great story teller. There was plenty of parking. Restrooms in the visitors center. I watched the movie after the walking tour. I drove to the stone bridge and the unfinished railroad sites because I was running out of time. You could definitely spend an entire day here.

This was such a great way to learn about history. We did the tour guide with the Park Ranger and it was great. She lead us through what happened. The tour was about 45 minutes long. It is a great place to bring children. Since it is outdoors our boys could explore. The museum was very well done. There is also an interactive map that gives a layout of the battle.

It was rainy but this is a great historical experience. Of note, the stone bridge and stone house are rebuilds on original placements. But it is a great experience nonetheless.

Enjoyable for those who like the outdoors, history, or both. Lots of families with children and dogs but it never felt congested. There's more walking at this battlefield than I've seen at others with more car-friendly accommodations, such as Gettysburg.

Great tour of the actual battlefield by a very knowledgeable history buff. Very interesting museum. We learned a lot!
A little eerie knowing how many fought and died where we were walking. Sacred ground.

An amazing and extensive battlefield with a lot to enjoy and a lot of detailed history

There are some trails in the woods, but a lot of the trail is just you walking in the wide fields… i guess that’s supposed to be the charm of this trail.

Beautiful and underrated. Great museum in the visitors center with a fantastic presentation on the battle complete with lights. Miles of open land and places to walk.

Hiked the second Manassas trail, beautiful day.

Had a beautiful day hiking the first and second Manassas trails. First Manassas trail is more war history, second Manassas trail is much more wild, wooded trail. Took the extra spur to the unfinished railroad and Dudley springs loops, glad I did, some beautiful park way up there!
Hit the trails in some deep woods five miles from old town! Great resource close to home.