Fort Donelson National Battlefield

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The View from the Upper River Battery
A commanding view of the Cumberland River from the Upper Artillery Battery
Hallowed ground.
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.
cannon overlooking river
Quiet Afternoon overlooking the Cumberland River, Fort Donelson NB
Historic hotel
The Dover Hotel, site of the first major Civil War surrender.
cemetery gate
Fort Donelson National Cemetery: Final resting place for thousands of American Veterans
Confederate earthworks.
A view of the earthworks, where Confederate Soldiers once stood watch.
cannon and costumed volunteers
Volunteers demonstrate Field Artillery at Fort Donelson NB
bald eagles nesting
Bald Eagles perch on their Nest in the battlefield
picnic tables
Enjoy your lunch at the Picnic Area, Fort Donelson NB
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.

Quick Facts

State Kentucky
Designation National Battlefield
State Code KY,TN
Weather 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…

Location & Map

Fort Donelson National Battlefield is located in Kentucky.

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

Wednesday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Monday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Activities

Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Auto Hiking Junior Ranger Program Park Film Museum Exhibits

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

Contact & Address

Address 174 National Cemetery Drive, Dover, TN, 37058
Phone 931-232-5706
Email fodo_administration@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite National Cemetery Forts Military Battlefields Monuments and Memorials Wars and Conflicts Civil War

Things To Do

Stop by the Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center

Stop by the Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center

Visitor Center

See the museum exhibits, visit the gift shop, and learn information from Rangers, Volunteers and Guides.

Hike the Trails at Fort Donelson NB

Hike the Trails at Fort Donelson NB

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the historic site by hiking the park trails. You may see migratory birds, bald…

Hiking the Trails

Want to Become a Junior Ranger?

Want to Become a Junior Ranger?

Junior Rangers

Junior Ranger Program, an eight-page handbook. Ranger programs are available during the summer months. Please watch the park audiovisual to…

Fort Donelson NB Autotour Route

Fort Donelson NB Autotour Route

An excellent way to understand the historic site include the self-guided auto tour.

Self-guided automobile tour comprising 11 stops throughout the Fort Donelson NB and city of Dover. Park brochures and additional information…

Pets

Pets

Pets in the Park

Choose from four Hiking Trails: the Donelson Trail, the River Circle Trail, the Spur Trail, and the Graves Battery to…

Fort Donelson: Then and Now

Fort Donelson: Then and Now

Fort Donelson: Then and Now

Take a nostalgic tour of Fort Donelson National Battlefield. View comparisons today's battle sites with images from the past.   Download…

Visitor Centers

Fort Donelson Visitor Center

The Visitor Center is at the main park entrance, just off Highway 79. Museum exhibits, a gift shop, handicapped accessible restroom, and information are available…

Hours: The temporary Visitor Center is currently open daily, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Gates are open 8:00 am - 6:00 pm daily.

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