Discover Winchester

18. Third Winchester Battlefield

Winchester, VA

Third Winchester Battlefield, also known as the Battle of Opequon, witnessed some of the heaviest fighting in this area in 1864. Access to the Third Winchester Battlefield is available year-round and consists of a 5-mile walking and biking trail. Visitors can take a self-guided tour on this path, complete with interpretive signage and scenic views. Because of its size, intensity, and result, many historians consider Third Winchester the most important conflict of the Shenandoah Valley. Over 54,000 forces were engaged in the battle with over 8,600 estimated casualties. The battlefield land is owned by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. More than 600 acres have been protected at Third Winchester by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, the Civil War Trust, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the Virginia departments of Historic Resources and Game and Inland Fisheries, and other partners.