About Petersburg National Battlefield
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.
Quick Facts
Operating Hours
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.
Activities
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.
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Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Visit Poplar Grove National Cemetery
Walk around Poplar Grove National Cemetery and reflect on the tragedy that befell the United States during the Civil War.…
Drive the Eastern Front Tour Road
The Eastern Front Tour Road is 4-miles, one-way, and has eight stops encompassing the first couple months of General Grant's…
Walk Around City Point
Walk around City Point to explore why this area was, and still is, a popular place for living along the…
Visitor Centers
Eastern Front Visitor Center
The Eastern Front Visitor Center is the park's main visitor center, including museum, gift shop, and 18 minute video. The Visitor Center is open every…
Hours: Main visitor center where Rangers will be present to provide information and assist with research when possible.
Five Forks Visitor Contact Station
Contact station includes small exhibit area and 12-minute video.
Hours: The visitor center is currently open Friday - Monday 10 am to 4 pm. The trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Parking for is available at the trailheads and each stop on the driving tour has a pullout for parking. When the visitor center is closed the grounds and trails are open for touring every day from sunrise to sunset.
General Grant's Headquarters at City Point
Station is located in the former plantation home of the Eppes Family. When open, visitors can view a 15 minute video and tour the first…
Hours: Appomattox Plantation house was home of the Eppes Family. Visitors can view a 15-minute video and tour the bottom floor of the home which includes numerous exhibits dealing with the Union Army's occupation of City Point as well as the free and enslaved people who lived on the plantation. When the plantation house is closed the grounds are open for touring every day from sunrise to sunset.
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