Fort Donelson National Battlefield - National Park Directory

A commanding view of the Cumberland River from the Upper Artillery Battery

The Fort Donelson National Cemetery, final resting place for Soldiers who fell in battle during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.

Quiet Afternoon overlooking the Cumberland River, Fort Donelson NB

The Dover Hotel, site of the first major Civil War surrender.

Fort Donelson National Cemetery: Final resting place for thousands of American Veterans

A view of the earthworks, where Confederate Soldiers once stood watch.

Volunteers demonstrate Field Artillery at Fort Donelson NB

Enjoy your lunch at the Picnic Area, Fort Donelson NB

Cannon drills during the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Donelson

Volunteers of the 9th Kentucky Infantry Re-enactors demonstrate field artillery

Photos: National Park Service

About Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Battlefield

Park State / Territory MembershipKentucky, Tennessee

Current Alerts1

Visitor Centers1

Campgrounds0

Things To Do7

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

Fort Donelson National Battlefield traditionally experiences mild to moderate winters and hot summers with an average high of 90 degrees in the summer and 40 in winter; average lows in the winter are 30 degrees but single digits are not unusual. Rainfall in the area averages 53 inches a year…

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: Kentucky, Tennessee. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Operating Hours

Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center is open daily 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CST. Dover Hotel hours are 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CST daily. The park is closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Hours change seasonally. The park tour route is open: Spring time change to Memorial Day: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm CDT Memorial Day to Labor Day: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm CDT Labor Day to fall time change: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm CST Fall time change to spring time change: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CST

Friday8:00AM - 4:30PM

Monday8:00AM - 4:30PM

Saturday8:00AM - 4:30PM

Sunday8:00AM - 4:30PM

Thursday8:00AM - 4:30PM

Tuesday8:00AM - 4:30PM

Wednesday8:00AM - 4:30PM

Activities

Auto and ATVScenic DrivingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingJunior Ranger ProgramPark FilmMuseum Exhibits

Current Alerts

Fort Donelson NB Park Fall Hours

Visitor Access to Fort Donelson NB Park Lands: Pedestrian Access is from sunrise to sunset. Automobile Access to Fort Donelson NB Park Roads 8:00 am – 6:00 p.m. daily.

Getting There

The main entrance is at 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, in Dover Tennessee. It is advised to start a visitor experience here. Brochures and information are available at this location. Physical address for the park's Fort Heiman unit, in Calloway County, Kentucky: 654 Fort Heiman Road, New Concord, Kentucky. This site is not staffed daily, but exhibits and information are available for visitors.

View Official Directions