Historic Blakeley State Park
Site of the Last Major Battle of the Civil War in Alabama — 3,800-Acre Historic State Park Preserving the Battlefield of Fort Blakeley Where 20,000 Soldiers Fought on April 9 1865, Civil War Earthworks and Fortifications Still Visible Along Hiking Trails, One of the Largest Engagements Involving US Colored Troops, Overlooking the Mobile-Tensaw Delta — One of the Most Biodiverse River Systems in North America, Hiking Camping and Nature Trails Through Southern Bottomland Forest, Former Town of Blakeley Site With Early Alabama History, Native American Archaeological Sites Dating Back Thousands of Years, Near Spanish Fort Baldwin County Mobile Bay Alabama
Historic Blakeley State Park is a 3,800-acre historic state park near Spanish Fort, Baldwin County, Alabama, overlooking the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. The park preserves the battlefield of the Battle of Fort Blakeley — the last major battle of the American Civil War, fought on April 9, 1865, the same day General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. The park features Civil War earthworks and fortifications still visible along the hiking trails, the site where approximately 20,000 soldiers fought in one of the largest engagements involving United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the war, overlooks of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta — one of the most biodiverse river delta systems in North America, hiking and nature trails through southern bottomland hardwood forest and magnolia-covered bluffs, camping facilities with electricity and water, the former town site of Blakeley — once a rival to Mobile as Alabama’s principal port, Native American archaeological sites dating back thousands of years predating European contact, and a powerfully atmospheric battlefield where the war’s final chapter played out in virtual obscurity.
The timing is extraordinary — while Lee was surrendering at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865, 20,000 soldiers were fighting and dying at Blakeley, unaware the war was effectively over. The Battle of Fort Blakeley was the last major multi-brigade engagement of the Civil War.
The USCT participation is historically significant — thousands of African American soldiers fought at Blakeley, making it one of the largest single-battle engagements of Black troops in the entire war.
Things to Do
- Civil War earthworks — preserved fortifications
- Battlefield hiking — trails, interpretive signs
- Delta overlooks — Mobile-Tensaw views
- Camping — sites with hookups
- Archaeology — town site, Native American
- Nature trails — bottomland forest
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Spanish Fort, Baldwin County, AL |
| Size | 3,800 acres |
| Battle Date | April 9, 1865 (same day as Appomattox) |
| Camping | Sites with electricity/water |
| Delta | Mobile-Tensaw — top US biodiversity |
| Managed By | Historic Blakeley Foundation |
| Coordinates | 30.7500° N, 87.9167° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Historic Blakeley SP — 3,800 acres — site of the Battle of Fort Blakeley (April 9, 1865) — the last major battle of the Civil War. Over 10,000 Union troops charged the Confederate earthworks. The park’s Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, live oaks, and Civil War earthworks support alligators, bald eagles, and white-tailed deer.
Nearby Attractions
Spanish Fort — adjacent. Mobile — 10 miles south. USS Alabama Battleship Park — nearby.
Was Blakeley the last battle of the Civil War?
The Battle of Fort Blakeley on April 9, 1865 was the last major multi-brigade engagement of the Civil War — fought the same day Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Historic Blakeley State Park near Spanish Fort, Alabama preserves the 3,800-acre battlefield with visible earthworks, hiking trails, and camping. The battle involved ~20,000 soldiers including one of the largest contingents of US Colored Troops in any Civil War battle. The park overlooks the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
Last updated: May 2026
