National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park

South

About Vicksburg

To Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Vicksburg was the "nailhead that holds the South's two halves together." President Abraham Lincoln remarked "Vicksburg is the key" to victory, and could be the north's lifeline into the south. As the federals closed in on the Fortress City, they were met by a ring of forts with over 170 cannon. The resulting battle would determine the war's outcome.

From the National Park Service.

Region: South
States: Mississippi and Louisiana
Designation: National Military Park
Entrance fee: $20, private vehicle

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 Vicksburg.

Entrance fees

$20 Private Vehicle This pass admits the driver and all passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle to the park.
$15 Motorcycle
$10 Per Person
Free Non-commercial Groups

Passes

$35 Annual Entrance - Park

Hours

Visitor Center

Mon: Closed
Tue: Closed
Wed: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Thu: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Fri: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Sat: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Sun: 8:30AM - 4:30PM

The Visitor Center is open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Wednesday-Sunday. Tour road is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm daily with last vehicle entry at 4:40 pm. Public restrooms are open at the Visitor Center and USS Cairo 7 days a week. Park grounds are open sunrise to sunset daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Weather and when to go

Spring and fall in Vicksburg are always very pleasant with cool nights and warm, sunny days with temperatures ranging from lows of 40 degrees to highs of 70 degrees. Winter weather in Mississippi is usually mild except for occasional cold air invasions which normally last only a couple of days. Temperatures range from lows of 30 degrees to highs of 50 degrees. In the summer, weather is consistently hot, beginning in the low 70's and climbing to highs ranging from 80-100 degrees in the afternoon.

Getting there

Plane — Closest commercial airport: Jackson, MS, 50 miles to the east. Car — Directions to Vicksburg: From the east — Take Interstate 20 west to Vicksburg, MS. Use exit ramp 4B. Follow Clay Street (US-80) west 0.25 miles to park entrance. From the north — Take Interstate 55 south to Jackson, MS. To save time, use Interstate 220 bypass on west side of Jackson. Take Interstate 20 west to Vicksburg approximately 40 miles. Use exit ramp 4B. Follow Clay Street (US-80) west 0.25 miles to park entrance.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: 3201 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183
Phone: (601) 636-0583
Email: VICK_Information@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/vick

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 Vicksburg

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.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in Vicksburg

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

Become a Vicksburg BARK Ranger

Hands-On · about 45 min

Learn how your pet can become a BARK Ranger!
Watch Vicksburg National Military Park's Orientation Film

Park Film · about 20 min

This orientation film plays every half hour at the park's visitor center.