Pea Ridge, Arkansas is a fast-growing small town in northeast Benton County best known for the Civil War battlefield just outside it — Pea Ridge National Military Park, site of an 1862 clash that helped decide the fate of Missouri. But there’s more to the town itself: a tidy small-town core, family-friendly parks, and one of the most unusual annual events in the state, the Pea Ridge Mule Jump. Here’s your guide to visiting Pea Ridge: what to see, a little history, and how to get there.
Once a quiet farming community, Pea Ridge has been among Arkansas’s fastest-growing towns, climbing from about 4,800 residents in 2010 to more than 6,500 at the 2020 census and well beyond since. It sits a short drive northeast of Rogers and Bentonville, close enough to enjoy the region’s big attractions while keeping a distinctly small-town feel.
Things to do in Pea Ridge
Pea Ridge National Military Park
The town’s headline attraction is Pea Ridge National Military Park, just northeast of town, which preserves the roughly 4,300-acre battlefield where the Battle of Pea Ridge was fought on March 7–8, 1862 — a Union victory that helped secure Missouri for the North. The park has a visitor center, a 7-mile self-guided auto tour, the historic Elkhorn Tavern, miles of hiking and horse trails, and a segment of the Trail of Tears. It’s the reason most travelers come to Pea Ridge, and it’s well worth a half-day. For the full rundown — hours, fees, the tour road, and what to see — read our dedicated guide to the Pea Ridge National Military Park.
Pea Ridge City Park
Pea Ridge City Park is the town’s main green space — a roughly 12-acre park with two pavilions, a playground, a paved walking trail, picnic areas, and a splash pad for hot summer days. It’s free and a good spot to let kids run after a morning at the battlefield.
Pea Ridge Mule Jump
Every October, Pea Ridge hosts the Pea Ridge Mule Jump, an old-fashioned festival that has earned the town the nickname “Mule Jumping Capital of the World.” The event, held on the second Saturday of October, centers on a genuine mule-jumping contest — mules leaping over a bar from a standing start — alongside barrel racing, hog calling, vendors, and food. It’s a quirky, only-in-a-small-town tradition that’s been running since the 1980s. Check the official Mule Jump site for the current year’s date and schedule.
A quick history of Pea Ridge
Settlers arrived in this corner of the Ozarks in the 1830s, and a post office was established in 1850 on the crest of a ridge where wild peas — sometimes called turkey peas — grew and were used for food and forage. That ridge and those pea vines gave the community its name. In March 1862, the surrounding fields and the Elkhorn Tavern became the site of the Battle of Pea Ridge, one of the largest Civil War engagements west of the Mississippi. The town itself was formally incorporated on November 7, 1935, and long remained a small agricultural community. In recent decades it has become one of the fastest-growing towns in the region, even as the battlefield next door keeps its history close at hand.
Where to eat, drink, and stay
Pea Ridge has a handful of local eateries, but it’s a small town without a dedicated dining or lodging district — and the far larger restaurant, brewery, and hotel scenes of Rogers and Bentonville are only about 15 minutes away. For where to eat and drink nearby, browse our sister sites NWA Food and NWA Brew, or dive into our full guides to Rogers and Bentonville.
Location & getting there
- Where: Northeast Benton County, along Highways 72 and 94.
- County: Benton County, Arkansas.
- Nearby cities: about 15 minutes to Rogers and to Bentonville.
- From the airport: roughly 30 minutes from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).
- Main draw: Pea Ridge National Military Park, just northeast of town; open daily (see the park guide for hours and fees).
Pea Ridge FAQ
What is Pea Ridge, Arkansas known for?
Pea Ridge is best known for Pea Ridge National Military Park, the preserved battlefield just outside town where a pivotal 1862 Civil War battle was fought. The town is also known for the annual Pea Ridge Mule Jump each October and for being one of Arkansas’s fastest-growing small towns.
Is the town of Pea Ridge the same as the military park?
No. Pea Ridge is an incorporated town, while Pea Ridge National Military Park is a separate national park unit just northeast of it. The battlefield takes its name from the town. You can visit the town’s parks and shops and drive a few minutes to the park entrance.
What is the Pea Ridge Mule Jump?
The Pea Ridge Mule Jump is an annual October festival where mules compete by jumping over a bar from a standing start, along with barrel racing, hog calling, food, and vendors. It has run since the 1980s and gives the town its nickname, the Mule Jumping Capital of the World. Check the official site for the current date.
How far is Pea Ridge from Rogers and Bentonville?
Pea Ridge is about 15 minutes northeast of both Rogers and Bentonville, and roughly 30 minutes from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).
Explore more of Northwest Arkansas
Pea Ridge pairs naturally with the bigger towns nearby. Keep exploring with our guides to Rogers, Bentonville, and the Northwest Arkansas outdoors, or head back to the WeKnowNWA home page to browse every town.