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National Battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield

  • Mid-Atlantic

Plan a Petersburg trip

About Petersburg

Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces cut off supplies to both Petersburg and the Confederate capital, Richmond. Today, the park preserves the sites of this pivotal campaign.

From the National Park Service.

Region
Mid-Atlantic
State
Virginia
Designation
National Battlefield
Entrance fee
None listed
  • Trail data for this park is still being added.
  • Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to Petersburg.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Eastern Front Tour Road and Trails

Mon
9:00AM - Sunset
Tue
9:00AM - Sunset
Wed
9:00AM - Sunset
Thu
9:00AM - Sunset
Fri
9:00AM - Sunset
Sat
9:00AM - Sunset
Sun
9:00AM - Sunset

The Eastern Front Unit includes our main visitor center and a four mile, 8-stop tour road which includes the Fort Stedman and Crater battlefields. During Spring and Summer, the tour road closes at sunset or 8:00 pm (whichever is earlier). In the Fall and Winter, the tour road closes at 5:00pm. The Visitor Center is open from 9:00 - 5:00 pm daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day when the park is closed.

Weather and when to go

Winters are usually cool with temperatures averaging in the 40s. Spring and fall are mild. Summer can bring very hot and humid weather.

Getting there

The Eastern Front (Main) Visitor Center is located approximately 2.5 miles east of Rt. 95 off of Route 36 in Petersburg. If travelling north on Rt. 95, take exit 50D and follow signs to Wythe Street. Once on Wythe Street, travel 2.5 miles east to entrance of Battlefield. If travelling south on Rt. 95, take Exit 52 (Wythe Street). Again, travel about 2.5 miles to entrance.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address
Petersburg National Battlefield, Eastern Front Unit Visitor Center, 5001 Siege Road, Petersburg, VA 23803
Official site
nps.gov/pete

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for Petersburg

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

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Things to do in Petersburg

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

  • Visit Poplar Grove National Cemetery

    Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 30 min

    Walk around Poplar Grove National Cemetery and reflect on the tragedy that befell the United States during the Civil War. Each simple headstone is a poignant reminder of the human…

  • Drive the Eastern Front Tour Road

    Self-Guided Tours - Auto · about 30 min

    The Eastern Front Tour Road is 4-miles, one-way, and has eight stops encompassing the first couple months of General Grant's assault on Petersburg in 1864.

  • Walk Around City Point

    Self-Guided Tours - Walking · about 30 min

    Walk around City Point to explore why this area was, and still is, a popular place for living along the rivers. The Eppes family established the Appomattox plantation and their ho…

What to pack for Petersburg

Gear & Essentials

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The basics

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For this trip

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