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.
Plan a Visit
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
Winters are usually cool with temperatures averaging in the 40s. Spring and fall are mild. Summer can bring very hot and humid weather.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Virginia. 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
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
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…
Five Forks Visitor Contact Station
Contact station includes small exhibit area and 12-minute video.
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
