Poor Creek Trail Map

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See the Eastern Front Trails web page for a complete trail map.

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Length:  .8 mile
Type:  Hikers, Bikers, and Horseback Riders
Difficulty: Easy

The Poor Creek Trail in the Eastern Front Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield runs between Siege Road in the south to Fort Haskell in the north, Stop 6 on the Eastern Front Driving Tour. It used to go all the way to Fort Stedman a half mile farther to the north, but that section is now closed, most likely forever. Ironically, the only way to see the actual Poor Creek is on the closed section.

I hiked the closed section by mistake—the DO NOT ENTER barrier was ripped down—and I didn’t notice anything wrong with the trail. There were plenty of other hikers besides me. I’ve been on many closed trails in national parks, usually on purpose, and I can tell you that I never saw a problem that common sense wouldn’t get you around. The government is so scared of somebody getting hurt that it will close a trail if a big stick falls across it. From what I understand, the Poor Creek Trail along the creek is getting eroded away, and the concern is more for horseback riders than hikers.

If you start on the southern end at Siege Road, there are no signs identifying the Poor Creek Trail. There is no parking at the trailhead, so most likely if you find yourself starting from the southern end it is because you first hiked the Encampment Trail, which comes out on the other side of the road.

Start of the Poor Creek Trail at Siege Road, Petersburg National Battlefield

When hiking from the southern trailhead, the Poor Creek Trail begins through a short section of forest before quickly emerging onto an open field. The ruins of the Taylor Farmhouse kitchen are within sight, and a grass-path detour leads over to it if you have not already seen it from Stop 7 on the Eastern Front Driving Tour, Fort Morton. If you look to the right, in the distance you can see the remains of Fort Morton’s earthen walls. If you look to your left, an equal distance away, you can see where the Battle of the Crater took place. The stand of trees that divides the field in half runs along a railroad cut, a ravine where railroad tracks are laid. At the time of the Civil War, these belonged to the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad. The tracks are still there today, but you can’t see them from the trail.

Taylor Farmhouse kitchen ruins at Petersburg National Battlefield

View from the Poor Creek Trail towards the Crater at Petersburg National Battlefield

The Poor Creek Trail doesn’t actually end at Fort Haskell. When you arrive at Intersection Z, take a right to get to the fort parking lot on Siege Road. If you wish to continue hiking, the Taylor’s Creek and Willcox trails are on the other side of the road just south of the parking lot. If you take a left on the road and walk a half mile north to Fort Stedman, you can pick up the Friend Trail.

Poor Creek Trail intersection with path to Fort Haskell (Intersection Z) at Petersburg National Battlefield

The Poor Creek Trail itself is more of a traditional hiking trail than others in the park that allow horseback riding, most of which are nothing more than old dirt roads. The terrain is slightly hilly, but the climbs are negligible. Overall, you will be heading downhill for most of the way to Fort Haskell.

Typical terrain on the Poor Creek Trail at Petersburg National Battlefield

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