Petersburg
National Battlefield

Petersburg, Virginia, became the setting for the longest siege in American history when General Ulysses S. Grant failed to capture Richmond in the spring of 1864. Grant settled in to subdue the Confederacy by surrounding Petersburg and cutting off General Robert E. Lee's supply lines into Petersburg and Richmond. On April 2, 1865, nine-and-one-half months after the siege began, Lee evacuated Petersburg.

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VISITATION:

Highest in summer; lowest in winter.

LOCATION:

Petersburg, VA

ADDRESS:

Petersburg National Battlefield
1539 Hickory Hill Road
Petersburg, VA 23803

TELEPHONE:

(804) 732-3531

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Visitor center/museum open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; with extended summer hours. The Park Tour Road closes at dusk. Closed: December 25, January 1.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Hot and humid summers. Moderate winters. Comfortable, in- season sportswear and walking shoes.

DIRECTIONS:

The park's visitor center is located two miles east of I-95 (Wythe Street Exit) on State Highway 36 East and three miles west of I-295 (Fort Lee Exit). The Five Forks Unit of the park is in Dinwiddie County. From I-85, take the Dinwiddie Courthouse exit, follow the signs to Courthouse Road; turn right on Courthouse Road (State Route 627) and proceed five miles to Five Forks.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: access by interstate highways, state highways, and state routes.
In Park: personal vehicle.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

There is a $3.00 per person/$5.00 per vehicle entrance fee from September - May and a $5.00 per person/$10 per vehicle entrance fee from June - August at the Main Unit (this also covers the City Point Manor entry). City Point grounds are free. There is a $1.00 per person fee to enter Appomattox Manor. There is no fee at the Five Forks Unit. Commercial group rates are established by Congress and are subject to change. Call the Visitor Center at (804) 732-3531 for fee information.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits:

The visitor center and museum are located in the Main Unit, just off of State Highway 36 East. The Five Forks Unit Contact Station is open when staffing permits.

Trails, Roads:

The four mile driving tour (Park Tour Road) at the Main Unit has eight tour stops. In addition to wayside exhibits and audio stations, some of the stops have short, interpretive walking trails. The park has a ten mile Boy Scout Historical Trail. The one-way Park Tour Road has a multipurpose lane for walkers, joggers and bicyclists. Skating and skate boarding are prohibited. There are 15 miles of unpaved trails within the Main Unit. The extended driving tour, south and west of Petersburg, is 16 miles long and has seven tour stops.

Programs/Activities:

A 17-minute relief map presentation is shown on the hour and half hour at the visitor center. Mid-June through mid-August, costumed interpreters demonstrate mortar and cannon firings and soldier life. Visit the camp of the 200th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and witness representatives of Louisiana's Washington Artillery as they gallop into the Fort Stedman area with a cannon and limber drawn by a six-horse team. A Junior Ranger program and walking tours are also available during the summer season.

Lodging and camping facilities:

None in park. A variety of hotels, motels and RV camping sites are available in Petersburg and vicinity.

Food/supplies:

Food and supplies are available in Petersburg and vicinity.

 

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

Eastern National Association manages a bookstore at the visitor center. The Five Forks Unit has a small bookstore outlet.

Accessibility:

The visitor center is wheelchair accessible.

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Research at the visitor center is by appointment only. Contact the historian at (804) 732-6092. For Special Use Permits contact the Chief Ranger at (804) 732-3966.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Set aside from two-to-four hours to visit the Main Unit. To visit all sites, plan to spend at least a day.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Please stay on the designated walking trails. Walking on the historic earthworks slowly destroys them. Hunting for artifacts within park boundaries, with or without a metal detector, is prohibited by law. No recreational activities are allowed in historic areas. All picnicking must be in the designated picnic area.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

U.S. Army Quartermaster's Museum, Blandford Cemetery and the Siege Museum.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Poplar Grove National Cemetery is a part of Petersburg National Battlefield, and is administered by the National Park Service. It was established in 1866 for Union soldiers who died during the Petersburg and Appomattox Campaigns. The cemetery is located off of Vaughan Road in Dinwiddie County.

Also see:

City Point Unit, Petersburg National Battlefield.

Five Forks Unit, Petersburg National Battlefield.

VISITOR SAFETY:

Be prepared to deal with annoyances such as insects, poison ivy, snakes and hot, humid weather. Cyclists should wear helmets.

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