"Abingdon Muster Grounds" by NPS photo , public domain
Overmountain Victory
National Historic Trail - NC,SC,TN,VA
The Overmountain Victory NHT (OVHT) recognizes the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, Patriots from what is now East Tennessee who crossed the Great Smoky Mountains and then fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina.
The OVHT follows the route from Abingdon, Virginia at the Abingdon Muster Grounds, fording the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals through present day Elizabethton, Tennessee, crossing the Doe River twice near both Hampton, Tennessee and Roan Mountain, Tennessee, and ascending over the steep Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, on through South Carolina to the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain now within Kings Mountain National Military Park. The trail network consists of a 330-mile (530 km) corridor, including a 70-mile (110 km) branch from Elkin, North Carolina, that joins the main route at Morganton, North Carolina. In Rutherford County, North Carolina, the trail follows the approximate location of Rock Road through the Gilbert Town Historic District.
Official Visitor Map of Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (NHT) in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Overview Map of Linville Gorge Wilderness in the Grandfahter Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest (NF) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Wilderness Map of Harper Creek of Linville Gorge Wilderness in the Grandfahter Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest (NF) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Wilderness Map of Lost Cove of Linville Gorge Wilderness in the Grandfahter Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest (NF) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Wilderness Map of Linville Gorge South in the Grandfahter Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest (NF) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Wilderness Map of Linville Gorge North in the Grandfahter Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest (NF) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Bicycle Map of Virginia. Published by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
https://www.nps.gov/ovvi/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overmountain_Victory_National_Historic_Trail
The Overmountain Victory NHT (OVHT) recognizes the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, Patriots from what is now East Tennessee who crossed the Great Smoky Mountains and then fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina.
The OVHT follows the route from Abingdon, Virginia at the Abingdon Muster Grounds, fording the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals through present day Elizabethton, Tennessee, crossing the Doe River twice near both Hampton, Tennessee and Roan Mountain, Tennessee, and ascending over the steep Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, on through South Carolina to the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain now within Kings Mountain National Military Park. The trail network consists of a 330-mile (530 km) corridor, including a 70-mile (110 km) branch from Elkin, North Carolina, that joins the main route at Morganton, North Carolina. In Rutherford County, North Carolina, the trail follows the approximate location of Rock Road through the Gilbert Town Historic District.
Stretching 330-miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by Patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow the campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable trails.
The trail travels over 330 miles through four states.
Cowpens National Battlefield Visitor Center
Museum contains a reproduction 3-pounder cannon, other weapons and artifacts of the Revolutionary War period, and exhibits. "Cowpens: A Battle Remembered" is an 18-minute video shown hourly in the museum. American Battlefield Trust film on the American Revolution shown in the map room (18 minutes) Sales Outlet operated by America's National Parks offers books, postcards, and theme-related souvenirs.
Keller Interpretive Center, Abingdon Muster Ground
The Keller Interpretive Center at the Abingdon Muster Ground features displays and exhibits about southwest Virginia during the American Revolution, including the 400 Virginia patriots who left this spot on September 24, 1780 to join with fellow patriots at Sycamore Shoals and begin their march to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Seasonally available information, gift store, and all-year hiking trail on the Wolf Creek Trail.
Kings Mountain National Military Park Visitor Center
The visitor center has a movie (25 minutes), a bookstore operated by America's National Parks, and a museum. The museum has artifacts from the battle and audio exhibits inside walk-in trees that resemble the 1780 battlefield.
Museum of North Carolina Minerals, Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and Museum of North Carolina Minerals, located along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail at Gillespie Gap. Featuring displays about the history and geology of western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains, and hiking trail along the Overmountain Victory NHT. On September 29, 1780, the Overmountain Men descended the east face of the Blue Ridge Mountains through Gillespie and Hefner Gaps using separate trails before reuniting at the Catawba River.
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center
Visitor Center for Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, part of the Tennessee State Parks system. Featuring a museum and lecture hall, gift store, recreation of a 1776 log fort, and hiking trail along the Watauga River.
W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir Visitor Center
Visitor Center for W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, featuring information about the Army Corps of Engineers, the wildlife of the Yadkin River Valley, and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. On September 28, 1780, hundreds of Patriot militia traveled down the Yadkin River on their way to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Their original route is now underneath the reservoir, and hiking and biking trails along the shoreline closely follow their route.
AlexandersFordAtTheGreenRiver
The OVVI NHT marker is on a fence with the Green River in the background.
A trail marker is on a fence with the Green River in the background.
Alexander's Ford Trail
Reenactors march along the historic trail at Alexander's Ford in North Carolina.
Reenactors march along the historic trail at Alexander's Ford in North Carolina.
Sign at Elkin Trail
A sign on the Overmountain Victory Trail at Elkin reminds visitors not to stray off the trail.
A sign on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail at Elkin reminds visitors not to stray off the trail.
Compliant Trail Sign
A sign on the trail indicates that this section is compliant with the American with Disabilitie Act.
A sign on the trail indicates that this section is compliant with the American with Disabilitie Act.
Trail at Abingdon
A marker stands beside the winding trail in Abingdon, Virginia.
A marker stands beside the winding trail in Abingdon, Virginia.
The Fruits of Victory: Loyalist Prisoners in the Aftermath of Kings Mountain
The story of the fate of Loyalist prisoners captured at the 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain.
Alexander Chesney
Learn about Alexander Chesney, a commanding officer for a Loyalist militia unit at the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781.
Portrait of Alexander Chesney
Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Junior Ranger Program
Explore the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution with this Junior Ranger program that features five units of the National Park Service!
Green cover of Junior Ranger Program with five photographs of different parks.
Overmountain Victory NHT Junior Ranger
The Junior Ranger program booklet for Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
A book cover showing people crossing a river
Thomas Young
Discover the life of patriot soldier, Thomas Young.
Tombstone of Thomas Young
Reflecting on 55 years of the National Trails System Act: A Journey Through the Establishment of National Scenic and Historic Trails
In celebration of the 55th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, learn more about these significant trails and their history.
The Adventures of Ranger Cow!
Follow Ranger Cow's journey to American Revolutionary War sites!
Crochet Cow in Park Ranger uniform
Black Powder Weapons of the Southern Campaign
Discover black powder weapons of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.
Grasshopper cannon with blue wheels
Abingdon Muster Grounds
The Abingdon Muster Grounds is one of the partner locations along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, a 330-mile route used in a key Patriot victory of the American Revolution.