Saratoga Battlefield Tour

At Saratoga, two fierce battles led to the first-ever surrender of a British army, a pivotal moment in the eight year-long war that changed the world forever. In 1938, Saratoga National Historical Park was established (formerly a State of New York owned site established in 1927) and the National Park Service began planning ways for visitors to experience the battlefield, including a tour road. Thousands of visitors travel the tour road through the park every year. The 10-mile route provides visitors a first-hand experience of the places that play an important role in the history of this nation. This Story Map gives virtual visitors the chance to experience the tour road from a distance.

The events at Saratoga ignited global warfare and changed the world forever.

From Louisiana to Indonesia, from South Africa to the North Sea, hundreds of battles against Great Britain took place between 1778 and 1784.

At the time, few foresaw the influence Saratoga would have on global colonial power in an age of empires. Burgoyne's surrender revealed British weakness, and Great Britain's rivals pounced.

France, at last, publicly recognized an independent United States of American and allied with the new nation in 1778. This powerful Franco-American alliance triggered open war between Great Britain and France. Emboldened, Spain also declared war on Great Britain in 1779.

The Netherlands' commercial support of Great Britain's enemies led to war in 1780. That same year, the aggression of the British East India Company toward France prompted a coalition of Indian nations, led by the Sultanate of Mysore, to declare war on Great Britain. Needing relief from five simultaneous wars, Great Britain made peace with the United States in 1783.

Explore the four other sites that are part of Saratoga National Historical Park, including the Saratoga Surrender Site, Victory Woods, the Saratoga Monument, and the Schuyler Estate by clicking on the photos of each site: