National Park Service Site · Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg National Battlefield
Organization Confirmed · last verified 2026-09-12 · What this means
An authorized representative of the organization has confirmed the listing, or an editor has confirmed it from a first-party source.
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.
Visiting
- Designation
- National Battlefield
- Owned or managed by
- National Park Service
- Address
- Petersburg National Battlefield, Eastern Front Unit Visitor Center, Petersburg, VA, 23803 · Map and directions
- 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.
Wednesday: 9:00AM - Sunset · Monday: 9:00AM - Sunset · Thursday: 9:00AM - Sunset · Sunday: 9:00AM - Sunset · Tuesday: 9:00AM - Sunset · Friday: 9:00AM - Sunset · Saturday: 9:00AM - Sunset
- 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.
- Periods interpreted
- American Civil War
- Official page
- https://www.nps.gov/pete/index.htm (opens nps.gov in a new tab)
- Official contact
- https://www.nps.gov/pete/index.htm/contacts.htm (opens nps.gov in a new tab)
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 day. Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Visitor Center is
- 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 floor of the home including a room with interpretive exhibits an
Programs and events
Ranger's Choice - Ranger Program
Dates: Sept. 12
Join us for Ranger's Choice! A park ranger led program highlighting the history or nature of Petersburg National Battlefield. Topics could include military history, soldiers' experiences during the campaign, birding, or highlights of a project/subject the ranger is currently working on. Check in at the front desk of the Eastern Front Visitor Center for the day's program.
Living History with the 26th North Carolina
Dates: Sept. 12–13
Eleven of Lee’s infantry brigades at Petersburg hailed from North Carolina. These troops participated in nearly every major battle of the campaign. To learn more about the role of Tarheel soldiers, visit the living historians of the 26th North Carolina September 12-13. They’ll be encamped at the reconstructed earthworks at Stop 3 on the Easten Front Tour Road. Saturday The camp will be open to the public from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Historic weapons demonstration at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm Sunday The camp will be open to the public from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm Historic weapons demonstration at 11:00 am Informal programs will occur throughout the camp's public hours.
Battle of the Crater
Dates: Sept. 14
An explosion shook the earth early in the morning, on July 30, 1864. Soon after the battle of the Crater begins. Join a Park Ranger for a 30-45-minute program discussing the Pennsylvania soldiers who engineered and constructed the over 500-foot tunnel, the strategies and brutalities of the battle, the role of Black troops in the battle, and Confederate General William Mahone's counterattack. Meet the Park Ranger for this free program at the parking lot for Stop #8. Program is subject to cancellation due to weather or other issues.
Fort Stedman (Eastern Front Tour Stop #5)
Dates: Sept. 14
The Hare House Hill/ Fort Stedman area is some of the most blood-soaked land in the Petersburg National Battlefield. Join a Park Ranger for a 20-30 minute program discussing the events in this area. Programs may include: The charge of the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery during the Opening Assaults in June 1864. The failed Confederate assault attempting to break through the Federal lines in March 1865. Meet the Park Ranger for this free program at the parking lot for Stop #5. Program is subject to cancellation due to weather or other issues
Opening Assaults - Ranger Program
Dates: Sept. 15
The 292-day campaign for Petersburg began with four days of intense fighting between June 15-18, 1864. Join a Park Ranger for a 20-30 minute discussion of the events leading up to and the impacts of the actions of those days. Meet the Park Ranger for this free program at the flagpole outside the Eastern Front Visitor Center. Program is subject to cancellation due to weather or other issues.
Artillery Demonstration
Dates: Sept. 27
Ever wonder how a Civil War artillery crew worked a piece in the field? Come join us for an artillery demonstration on Sunday, September 27! Stop by the Eastern Front Visitor Center where the park’s living history crew will be firing our reproduction 12 pounder Napoleon and discussing artillery’s role in the Civil War. The program will run continuously from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. This demonstration is weather permitting. Petersburg National Battlefield’s interpretive programs are free to the public.
General Grant at City Point
Dates: Oct. 3
General Ulysses S. Grant and his staff will once again set up their headquarters at the park’s City Point unit, just like they did back in 1864. Visitors will be able to interact with these living historians and learn more about what it took to run an army in the field. Saturday, October 3rd, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday October 4th, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm As always, programs at Petersburg National Battlefield are free to the public and weather permitting. The Grant’s Headquarters unit is located at 1001 Pecan Ave, Hopewell, Virginia.
Annual Luminary Program at Poplar Grove National Cemetery
Dates: Nov. 14
Petersburg National Battlefield will honor veterans past and present at the Annual Luminary Program at Poplar Grove National Cemetery. From 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, visit Poplar Grove National Cemetery for a meaningful evening of illuminating the gravesites of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country. Beyond the 6,000 luminaries, this powerful event offers an opportunity to learn about a few of the known burials at the cemetery. During the program, Park Rangers will be throughout the cemetery waiting to share the stories of those laid to rest at Poplar Grove National Cemetery. There is no parking available at Poplar Grove National Cemetery during the program. Petersburg National Battlefield is providing a free shuttle from Richard Bland College, 11301 Johnson Road, Petersburg. This free shuttle will provide transportation to and from the cemetery between 5:00 pm and 8:30 pm. Shuttle buses will be available to transport volunteers from Richard Bland College to Poplar Grove National Cemetery beginning at 3:30 pm.
Wreaths Across America Day
Dates: Dec. 19
Poplar Grove National Cemetery 12:00 PM - Ceremony at Rostrum Wreath placement immediately following the ceremony. Parking at Richard Bland College only. (11301 Johnson Road) Free shuttle buses to and from the cemetery starting at 10:45 am and runs every 15 minutes. Limited parking for individuals with disabilities is available at the cemetery. Wreaths Across America’s mission is to place wreaths on the graves of military service members buried in national cemeteries. For more information about the Wreaths Across America program, go to wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Recent past events (2)
- Opening Assaults - Ranger Program — 2026-09-12
- Battle of the Crater — 2026-09-12
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