Vicksburg National Military Park
Vicksburg National Military Park
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
1800 acres of now peaceful countryside, this park was once the scene of a bloody 47-day Civil War battle.
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- NemoTravelerAarhus, Denmark682 contributionsCivil War MonumentsThe Visitor Center of the National Military Park is located in the eastern part of Vicksburg and commemorates the Civil War Siege and Battle of Vicksburg. The Park is huge and covers about 10 square kilometers with a large number of historic monuments. The excellent Visitor Center is situated in the southern end of the Park, giving an excellent introduction to the Park. A good tour road makes it possible to visit important monuments and places. Admittance is USD 20 per vehicle, and tickets are valid for seven days. The Park is definitely worth a visit.Visited November 2022Written December 12, 2022
- Nathan S5 contributionsHistoryNot enough can be said about the battlefield. The engineering that went into the placement of the cannon batteries when no modern cranes were available to navigate the hills is astonishing. Regardless of which side you align with, it is a testament to Grant's generalship and the ingenuity of the Union army that this objective was accomplished mainly through maneuvering and siege.Visited August 2022Written December 15, 2022
- jcgtuneAlexandria, Louisiana298 contributionsA must see especially for history buffsWhat a wonderful national park this is. It is easy to drive through stopping as you go to observe dozens of monuments, artillery and the bluffs and hills of this historic battlefield. Don’t miss going to see the USS Cairo and the museum with artifacts that were found over 100 years after it sunk here. Great gift shop too.Visited December 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten December 21, 2022
- Rob BFontana, California14 contributionsGet a Guide? YESCivil War battlefields can be just plain boring and this from someone interested in the subject. Watching a movie beforehand can really help but when you get out there it's just a bunch of rolling hills and fields. Enter Michael Logue licensed guide. We have been to dozens (literally) of battlefields and had a dozen guides/docents that were really good but Michael took that to a whole new level. We had his extended tour (approx) 3 hours and I don't think he took a breathe much less stop explaining during the entire drive. His knowledge came from his love of the subject not just need to know. Best way to see any battlefield is with a guide, at Vicksburg, Michael Logue is one of the best.Visited December 2022Written December 25, 2022
- Barb B25 contributionsKey Civil War battlefieldThis national military park should be on every Civil War history buff's bucket list. Give yourself 3 hours at a minimum, but a full day could easily be spent there. Start at the visitor center to take in the 20-minute film that explains the campaign and 47-day siege of Vicksburg in 1863. Then download the National Park Service App Tour and set out for the 16-mile tour through the park which follows the ebb and flow of the Confederate and Union lines throughout the siege. Don't miss the USS Cairo Museum, which is also part of the park. This tells the story of one of the U.S. Navy's first ironclad warships, sunk on Dec. 12, 1862.Visited January 2023Written January 27, 2023
- BrumbaSavage, Minnesota170 contributionsThe Battle that Turned the Civil WarThis Civil Ear siege and battlefield arguably set up the North to win the war. The hilly terrain made it very defendable and a very costly battle. A private three hour tour by a private guide like Michael Logue ($85 per car) is well worth it.Visited January 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten January 27, 2023
- BuckyBadgeragogo90 contributionsA. Wet Moving ExperienceVery impressive site to visit. Kudos to the NPS for orchestrating yet another great park highlighting this important part of Civil War history. The museum and movie was very good. The Ranger at the guest desk was super helpful. He even gave me support in getting the NPS app loaded on my phone. We did the driving tour. A small part of the drive was closed off for renovation and there was also a controlled burn going on. That being said, we still felt the experience was well worth the time.Visited January 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten January 28, 2023
- Robin BIssaquah, Washington354 contributionsCivil War HistoryA must do while in Vicksburg. When we visited, the admission price was $10 per person and the ticket was valid for one week. This park is huge, so give yourselves at least 2 to 3 hours to visit. You drive through this park and there are many places to pull over and learn about the various historical landmarks. Each state that participated in this battle have monuments erected, the ones from Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin being the most impressive in my opinion. Be sure to stop in at the visitor’s center to check and see if there are areas on the park that are currently inaccessible. When we visited, a certain road was closed and a detour was needed to visit certain areas. For us, the most interesting monument was for the USS Cairo Gunboat.Visited January 2023Written January 30, 2023
- Dave Z7 contributionsWell worth the timeThe NPS app for Vicksburg was almost as good as a tour guide. It was an easy drive thru though. There could have been better marking in a couple areas. We went one way and should have went another because they didn’t come out were we thought they would. It was easy to get out and walk to various spots and Union and Confederate lines were well marked. We really enjoyed our time there, we spent about 5 hours there.Visited March 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten March 7, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
3,161 reviews
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Jerry G
1 contribution
Apr 2021
We visited 4/20/2021. The National Park Service has done a fantastic job of organizing and exhibiting the battlefield. The signage is extremely helpful for viewing the respective lines. Since the Visitor’s Center was closed we called and reserved a Licensed Battlefield Guide.
The smartest thing we did! We only had a half-day to visit and wanted a solid understanding of the battlefield without me driving everyone crazy by reading several hundred signs. We were fortunate to have Robert Terry (601 636-3827, 601 218-4048). His knowledge of the situation, the battlefield and the key players was exceptional. He was able to personalize the information based on our time and interests (we had 3 veterans in our car). Great to be able to get immediate answers to our questions. Can’t recommend enough the value of using the Licensed Battlefield Guide option. Best spent money of the entire trip.
The smartest thing we did! We only had a half-day to visit and wanted a solid understanding of the battlefield without me driving everyone crazy by reading several hundred signs. We were fortunate to have Robert Terry (601 636-3827, 601 218-4048). His knowledge of the situation, the battlefield and the key players was exceptional. He was able to personalize the information based on our time and interests (we had 3 veterans in our car). Great to be able to get immediate answers to our questions. Can’t recommend enough the value of using the Licensed Battlefield Guide option. Best spent money of the entire trip.
Written April 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WisconsinBrian
Holmen, WI4 contributions
Jan 2020
I spent a day exploring Vicksburg National Military Park and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I had the pleasure of touring the battlefield over the course of three hours with Vicksburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Robert Terry. He provided a wealth of insight into the different aspects of the Vicksburg campaign, the terrain of the surrounding area, as well as information related to the many memorials and monuments found out on the field. Hiring the guide came with a cost in addition to the park entry fee, but well was worth it my opinion for gaining a better understanding of the campaign as well as the military park. In addition to the battlefield, there is also the National Cemetery and the Civil War era ironclad boat Cairo which are also very much worth exploring. The visitor center shows a short film (around 30 minutes I believe) on the campaign and includes a small gift shop.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrsB_TN
Tennessee, United States83 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Got brochure from visitor center in Natchez. Entered Tour Road 10 mins before closing. Audio was easy: dial phone number in brochure, enter number of the stop, hear details. Amazing 16-mile drive. Darkness closed in, but seeing about half was awe-inspiring and worth it on our tight schedule. Many locals were walking or jogging through the park, enjoying the fresh air, where 110,000 men fought for 47 days. Even though it’s been 150+ years, it seemed surreal.
Written November 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sally8363
Vidor, TX711 contributions
Jul 2020
No one is going to like my review, but I'm being honest.
First of all, a whole lot of this was closed. We have traveled to seven states on this trip, and I don't see why the visitor center here had to be closed. You can limit the number of people inside, and a staffer can stand at the door to count. If you don't have a visitor center, you don't get the narration, the maps, the chance to buy a shirt, etc.
Second, parts of the trail were closed, like Grant's headquarters, for example, and the National Military Cemetery! I understand there are pandemic precautions, but what? We're going to give COVID 19 to the dead people? Come on!
Third, the grass BADLY needed cutting. Ugh.
Fourth, the dang USS Cairo Museum was closed. That, too, could have been handled by limiting attendance or requiring masks. It's not that hard.
SO disappointed in this place!
First of all, a whole lot of this was closed. We have traveled to seven states on this trip, and I don't see why the visitor center here had to be closed. You can limit the number of people inside, and a staffer can stand at the door to count. If you don't have a visitor center, you don't get the narration, the maps, the chance to buy a shirt, etc.
Second, parts of the trail were closed, like Grant's headquarters, for example, and the National Military Cemetery! I understand there are pandemic precautions, but what? We're going to give COVID 19 to the dead people? Come on!
Third, the grass BADLY needed cutting. Ugh.
Fourth, the dang USS Cairo Museum was closed. That, too, could have been handled by limiting attendance or requiring masks. It's not that hard.
SO disappointed in this place!
Written July 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL3,945 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
I spent the morning visiting Vicksburg National Military Park. As a student of Civil War military history, this was high on my list to visit. It was well worth the time. The battlefield tour drive is about 16 miles and took a couple of hours to complete taking some stops along the way. The scenery is gorgeous and signs are everywhere denoting where the various Union and Confederate positions were stationed. In some areas the redoubts and trenches were still preserved. Memorials in honor of the men who fought were located all over the battlefield. I found the Illinois memorial particularly impressive with it’s huge enclosed shrine. Plaques tell the story and significance of the battle. The remnants of the USS Cairo Ironclad gunboat are on display and can be toured. The museum was closed, but the main attraction was the boat anyway which is outside. Near the USS Cairo is the national cemetery which contains the graves of thousands of Union soldiers. It is a stark reminder of the extreme cost of our freedom and devastating effects of war. This is a great place to visit to learn some history and gain a better understanding of what it took to forge the United States.
Written June 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blandboy
Bettendorf, IA583 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I’ve been to numerous Civil War sites, and, as at many, the reality of what took place at Vicksburg is truly gut-wrenching. But I’m glad we have national memorials such as this to remind us of the horror and human tragedy that nearly tore our nation apart.
The terrain was nothing that I envisioned, and, I was surprised at how far from the city of Vicksburg much of the fighting took place. The overgrowth of trees and brush make it difficult to envision what much of the battleground looked like. But the existence of the many remaining redoubts and trenches is impressive.
As with Gettysburg, there are numerous (hundreds?) of statues and memorials honoring the combatants. You could spend days viewing them all (we didn’t). The many types of artillery add realism and context.
If you don’t acquire a tour CD, definitely call the phone number listed in the park literature (that you receive upon entry) and listen to the brief description given at each of the 15 designated stations throughout the parkway.
We completed the entire visit in just under 4 hours (including numerous stops and 30 minutes at the Cairo display).
Wish the displays in the visitor center contained more artifacts, but many can be viewed at the city hall museum in Vicksburg.
The terrain was nothing that I envisioned, and, I was surprised at how far from the city of Vicksburg much of the fighting took place. The overgrowth of trees and brush make it difficult to envision what much of the battleground looked like. But the existence of the many remaining redoubts and trenches is impressive.
As with Gettysburg, there are numerous (hundreds?) of statues and memorials honoring the combatants. You could spend days viewing them all (we didn’t). The many types of artillery add realism and context.
If you don’t acquire a tour CD, definitely call the phone number listed in the park literature (that you receive upon entry) and listen to the brief description given at each of the 15 designated stations throughout the parkway.
We completed the entire visit in just under 4 hours (including numerous stops and 30 minutes at the Cairo display).
Wish the displays in the visitor center contained more artifacts, but many can be viewed at the city hall museum in Vicksburg.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda S
richardson, United States12 contributions
Sep 2020
Wish we could have spent more time in this park that is very well done and full of reverence for this epic battle of the Civil War. (Historians say Vicksburg and Gettysburg vie for importance) It is so tastefully done and very informative. Even if you can only take time for the drive through, it is worth it. We will be back as it really peaked our civil war interests.
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeputyDawg46
USA365 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
We visited the Vicksburg National Military Park in November 2020. We went on a Sunday and it was not crowed. On the day we went there was no entry fee but the information center was closed. We called and asked about a guided tour and it was $60 for a 2 hour tour. We drove the route slowly and getting out at various spots and ended up driving a total of 13 miles in about 3 hours. The road winds throughout the various battlefields. It is a hidden gem in my opinion and a must see from singles to families. You can drive or walk and there are some smaller routes for walking. We met several people on bicycles. It is well taken care of and again a must see event if in Vicksburg.
Written November 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MNice
Bloomington, MN2,649 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We deviated off our trek north on the Natchez Trace Parkway and went to Vicksburg for a moving experience and helped us begin to understand the Civil War. Being from Minnesota, the losses to our fellow Minnesotans 150 years ago and the monument dedicated them and the other states involved is very inspirational. We watched the series of movies in the Visitors Center which provide a basis of understanding for how the troops arrived there and the sacrifices of both the Union and Confederate armies. I have to be honest, our knowledge of the Civil War was general and we wished we had done our homework and spent more time here. I just want to say that there was an extremely knowledgeable National Park Service employee in the Visitors Center that we were overhearing explain a very complex explanation of an aspect of the war. If you are a Civil War buff, this is a serious research place. The drive around the perimeter of the cemetery is almost unnerving when you see the statues and think about the loss of life in a country so badly torn apart. We were unable to see USS Cairo when we were there as that road was closed. There were many people walking and biking here (local people who walk here daily). We hope to return here on a separate trip after seeing Gettysburg, Shiloh and Richmond. We proceeded up the Natchez Trace and spent three days looking at the battle of Franklin, TN after the fall of Nashville. Before embarking on this venue or other venues of the Civil War we would recommend a careful selection of the places you wish to see as we stumbled upon many places of historic significance related to the Civil War. We would come here and perhaps spend a considerable amount of time walking the grounds; it’s a very large space, be prepared. If you don’t have much time, watch the films and drive the perimeter road like we did.
Written October 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris S
Arcadia, LA92 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We enjoyed and quick trip through the park. We downloaded the battlefield app from Apple and it was very informative. I hated that he didn’t get to go in the visitors center or the Cairo Museum but we rolled with it under the current COVID-19 conditions. I do think the staff could’ve limited the number of people in at a given time and allowed these places to remain open. Anyway, we still enjoyed our ride and we got out and walked some of the trenches. He was interested in the back stories and of how the people lived during the siege.
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rose1776
Davenport, IA7 contributions
Can anyone comment on the phone guided tours during Covid restrictions? Were you happy with it? I am referencing a driver in a lead car talking to you by phone for the 2 hr tour. Thank you for comments.
swiftyl
Greenville, SC303 contributions
Clarifying above--we did the recorded and it was great.
cliftonlaura
Fort Myers, FL165 contributions
Is the visitors center opening up anytime soon?
Marian J
Winthrop Harbor, IL13 contributions
I just checked the Web sight and the road is closed to vehicles now too.
How much is the entry fee to Vicksburg national military park
RBFC
Phoenix, AZ77 contributions
We have the senior pass, so free for us. National Parks charge per car, not per person. I think it was $15. Well worth it for those who are interested in Civil War history.
The website says the park is closed to vehicles after 5 but open for walking. Is there walking access to areas of interest in the park - in other words, what can a visitor see after 5 pm? I plan to have some time in the park the next morning but would enjoy some evening time, too, if it’s available. Thanks, Chris Cordes
Lorleila B
158 contributions
You can park at the visitor center and walk in to the battlefield. It is quite a walk but paved and pretty. Get the map so you know the short cuts. It is a lovely if challenging bike ride too.
Betty J
4 contributions
can you drive a motor home thru the National Military Park? We will be visiting that area in April/May and will be doing a cross united statestrip in our Motor home and have no other vehicle to use. Thanks everyone!
birtleman
Calgary, Canada602 contributions
We saw a truck and large RV go through so you will be fine.
SoleilJC
Jersey City, NJ
Does the NPS provide guided tours? Also, how long should we plan to visit?
GlassInMS
Hattiesburg, MS115 contributions
Yes, guided tours are available, as are tours on CD. We spent about 4 hours, and didn't get to see everything (missed the Cairo!). If you go to the website for the Vicksburg National Military Park, you can find out about the guided tours.
Have fun.
Robin W
14 contributions
We are planning to stop here in early October on motorcycles. Considering we won't have a car/truck, what is the best way to see everything?
John T
Gurnee, IL42 contributions
I agree with the previous answer but I would make sure that you watch the movie in the ranger station before you do the self guided tour. Reading up on the battles before hand would also help enhance your experience.
307leven
Stroudsburg, PA284 contributions
Is there a cafeteria or small restaurant that serves coffee, lunch, etc.? Thank you in advance.
Fun4Five
McComb, MS76 contributions
There is nothing like this inside the park. There is, however, several food places very near the entrance to the park and in the immediate surrounding area.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Vicksburg National Military Park
- Hotels near Vicksburg National Military Park:
- (0.20 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Vicksburg
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Vicksburg National Military Park Information
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