Walk Bennington Battlefield
Walloomsac / Rensselaer County, New York
Activity
Hiking / Revolutionary War History
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
2.7 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~400 ft
Duration
~1.5–2 hrs
Route
Battlefield trail system / hills & interpretive route
The adventure
Walk the hills where the Battle of Bennington actually happened, following 2.7 miles of trails through the terrain that helped derail Burgoyne's 1777 push toward Albany.
What you'll do
Start at Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site main visitor parking area on Route 67, then follow the route about 2.7 miles round trip. walk the interpretive battlefield trail system
Expect hilly battlefield landscape.
Expect roughly 400 ft of climbing along the way.
What you're looking at
- Battle named for Bennington, Vermont, but principal preserved battlefield is in Walloomsac, New York
The story of the place
American victory deprived Burgoyne's army of troops and supplies before the Saratoga campaign climax
Once you're there
Park at the official Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site visitor area on Route 67. Begin at the interpretive panels and use the site's trail map to follow the public 2.7-mile trail system through the battlefield hills.
Stay on the established routes and use the signs to connect what happened in 1777 with the terrain around you. Complete the trail network and return to the same visitor parking area.
Don't miss
Before you leave, find the New York State marker describing the first engagement. The battle carries Vermont's name, but the fighting happened here in New York.
Good to know
- Pets
- pet-friendly; leash required
- Hours
- 8 AM to sunset during operating season
- Season
- interpretive site generally May 1 through Veterans Day
- Hunting
- permitted in designated areas/seasons with park permit
- Dogs
- allowed-on-leash.
- YES, THIS IS NEW YORK
- Despite the name, the preserved battlefield is in Walloomsac, New York — west of the Vermont line.
- THE SARATOGA CONNECTION
- The fighting on August 16, 1777 cost Burgoyne forces and supplies he could not easily replace before Saratoga.
- TERRAIN WAS PART OF THE BATTLE
- The battlefield terrain is hilly rather than flat, which matters when you imagine troops moving through it under fire.
- READ THE GROUND
- Interpretive panels are available during the site's operating season, generally May 1 through Veterans Day.
- Managed by
- New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Please respect the place
- Historic-site interpretive access is seasonal
- Stay on established public trails
- Keep pets leashed
- Hunting occurs under permit in designated seasons/areas
- Respect archaeological and commemorative resources
Photos
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