Gettysburg
National Military Park
The Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg contains more than 7,000 interments including over 3,500 from the Civil War. It is also the site of President Abraham Lincoln's immortal Gettysburg Address delivered during the dedication ceremonies on November 19, 1863.
Post-battle preservation efforts saved small portions of the battlefield as a memorial to the Union victory. On February 11, 1895, Gettysburg National Military Park was established as a national park by an official act of congress. The park incorporates nearly 6,000 acres, with 26 miles of park roads and over 1,400 monuments, markers, and memorials, making it one of the world's largest collections of outdoor sculpture.
| Visit Gettysburg NMP On The Web |
VISITATION:
More than 1.5 million people visit the park annually. The highest visitation occurs from April to October, with the lowest in January and February.
ADDRESS:
Gettysburg National Military Park
97 Taneytown Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
TELEPHONE:
(717) 334-1124
OPERATING HOURS:
Park grounds and roads open daily, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Visitor Center open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Summer hours- 8:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m. daily. Contact park for exact dates and times.
Cyclorama Center open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Buildings are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, & New Years Day.
The National Cemetery is open at dawn and closes at sunset.
CLIMATE:
Summers can be extremely hot and humid, with occasional severe thunderstorms. Fall and spring are pleasant with cool temperatures and brisk winds. Winter weather occasionally forces the closure of some park roads and buildings depending on severity. Current weather forecast
DIRECTIONS:
The National Park Service Visitor Center is located between the Taneytown Road (State Rt. 134) and Steinwehr Avenue (Bus. Rt. 15), approximately one mile south of Gettysburg.
Visitors traveling on U.S. Route 15 should follow park signs which direct them to the visitor center. Visitors traveling west on State Rt. 30 should exit onto U.S. Route 15 South and follow the park signs. If approaching Gettysburg on State Rt. 30 traveling east, visitors should proceed into town until reaching Washington Street (third traffic light) and turn right. Proceed approximately one mile on Washington Street (passing through two more lights) and the visitor center will be on the right.
TRANSPORTATION:
To Park: Gettysburg has no commercial transportation facilities (bus line stops, airport, etc.) or public transportation.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle (on roads only), horse back (on designated trails only) and on foot. There are also commercial bus tours of the battlefield available.
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
The park has no entrance fee. There are admission fees for the Electric Map and Cyclorama programs:
$3.00 for adults (17 years and older)
$2.00 for children (16 years and younger)
$2.50 for senior citizens (62 years and older)
$1.50 for children 6-15
Children under 6 years old admitted for free.
Group Rates: $2.50 per Adult
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
The Visitor Center, Cyclorama Center and Exhibits:
The Visitor Center contains the Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War featuring one of the world's largest collections of Civil War items, Gettysburg related memorabilia, and the Electric Map, the park's orientation program to the battle. Admission is free to the museum. There is an admission charge to the Electric Map.
The Cyclorama Center contains the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a 360 foot long circular oil-on-canvas painting depicting "Pickett's Charge," the climactic moment of the battle. Completed and exhibited in 1884, it is one of the last surviving cycloramas in the United States. A 20-minute sound and light program accompanies the painting. There is also a free 20-minute film on the battle in the Cyclorama Center auditorium, and free exhibits.
Trails, Roads:
Over 26 miles of park roads and avenues in the park. There are also numerous hiking trails and a horse riding trail that covers most of the park. Call the park for information on which sections of the horse trail are now open.
Programs and Activities:
A wide variety of interpretive programs are offered April through October, but the core season for programs is mid-June through mid-August. Subjects include the three days of battle, the National Cemetery, the Gettysburg Address, and general Civil War related topics. There are walking tours, bicycle tours, campfire programs, and living history demonstrations. There are also programs designed specifically for student groups. Call (717) 334-1124 for further information.
Lodging and camping facilities:
The park has no public lodging. A youth-group campground is available April through October by reservation only. For information call (717) 334-1124 x423.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
Eastern National Park and Monument Association operates a large bookstore in the Visitor Center and a smaller store in the Cyclorama Center. Call (717)334-1124 x439 for information or Visit the Bookstore on the web.
Accessibility:
The Visitor Center and Cyclorama Center are wheelchair accessible with at least one wheelchair available per building. Handicapped designated parking is available at both buildings and on park avenues. An accessibility brochure for the park is available at the information desk. Click HERE for more on accessibility.
Special needs:
There is designated bus unloading area in the Visitor Center parking lot and a separate lot for bus parking. Visitor parking is available at both buildings.
Group Reservations/Permits:
Reservations, though not required, are recommended for larger groups and organizations for the Electric Map, Cyclorama, and licensed battlefield guides. For information and reservations call (717) 334-4474.
Reservations are required for Student Education Programs. For information on Student Education Programs call (717) 334-1124, ext. 420.
Any special group activity held on the park must have a permit issued to the group by the park. For information on permits call (717) 334-1124, ext. 464.
Recommendations For Your Visit:
Plan to spend at least four hours at the park, though an entire day is more desirable. View the Electric Map and Cyclorama, visit the museum, tour the battlefield, and attend ranger led activities.
Special Events and Programs:
Various special events take place throughout the year. Annual events include a Memorial Day ceremony in the National Cemetery, special activities on the battle anniversary (July 1-3), ceremonies on the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address (November 19) and Remembrance Day (closest Saturday to November 19). For a complete list of events, check Park Events or call (717) 334-1124 for further information.
Teaching With Historic Places Lesson Plan
NEARBY VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Eisenhower National Historic Site is adjacent to Gettysburg National Military Park.For information call (717) 338-9114.
Antietam National Battlefield at Sharpsburg, Maryland (45 mins.)
Harpers Ferry National Park at Harpers Ferry, WV (1 hour)
Monocacy National Battlefield at Frederick, MD (45 mins.)
For information on area hotels, motels, restaurants and more,
visit the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau!
Or call them at (717)334-6274.
PARK SUPPORT GROUPS:
Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg
P.O. Box 4622, Gettysburg PA 17325-4622
Visitors since 6/17/97.
Editor & webkeeper: john_heiser@nps.gov