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Newtown Battlefield State Park

455 Oneida Rd.

Elmira, NY 14901

607-732-6067

Services: E,G,I,J,P,Q,V,Z,CC

In August of 1779, the peace and tranquility of this forested hill was broken by the boom of cannons, the crack of musket fire, and the yells of Iroquois warriors. The Continental Army was engaged in battle with the British regulars, Loyalist rangers, and 1,000 Iroquois Indian warriors. The battle of Newtown was the decisive clash in one of the largest offensive campaigns of the American Revolution. This expedition, known as the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign, was regarded as retaliation for several tribes of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy having sided with the British during the war and having attacked frontier settlements.

The park is the home of the Chemung Valley Living History Center, which presents several living history events each year. An observation deck with interpretative panels looks out over the Chemung River Valley, providing visitors with an idea of how the battle took place. A stone monument was dedicated at the top of the hill on August 29, 1879, the centennial of the Battle of Newtown. The present granite monument was erected in 1912. During the 1930s, Civilian Conservation Corps crews built and developed many of the present facilities of the park, including a beautiful, rustic lodge. In 1973, Newtown Battlefield Reservation was designated as a historic landmark and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Although Newtown Battlefield is a historic site, the entire area below the hilltop is wooded and ideal for birding, hiking through the woods, walking the winding road up the hill, and camping. The area is sometimes frequented by interesting animals like black bears and migrating raptors.

371 acres, 18 tent/trailer sites (2 electric), 5 cabins

Trail and camping area map (pdf)

Key to Services

A-Beach

B-Biking

C-Boat Launch Sites

D-Boat Rentals

E-Cabins

F-Camper Recreation

G-Campsites

H-Dockage

I-Dumping Station

J-Empire Passport Accepted

K-Fishing

L-Food

M-Hiking

N-Marina

O-Nature Trail

P-Pavilions

Q-Picnic Tables

R-Playground

S-Playing Fields

T-Powerboats

U-Recreation Programs

V-Showers

W-Sledding

X-Snowmobiling

Y-Snowshoeing

Z-Tent/Trailer Sites

AA-Vacation Rentals

BB-X-Country Skiing

CC-Scenic Views

DD-All above

Updated 6 January 2013