National Park Service Site · Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg National Military Park
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.
To Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Vicksburg was the "nailhead that holds the South's two halves together." President Abraham Lincoln remarked "Vicksburg is the key" to victory, and could be the north's lifeline into the south. As the federals closed in on the Fortress City, they were met by a ring of forts with over 170 cannon. The resulting battle would determine the war's outcome.
Visiting
- Designation
- National Military Park
- Owned or managed by
- National Park Service
- Address
- 3201 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS, 39183 · Map and directions
- Hours
The Visitor Center is open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Wednesday-Sunday. Tour road is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm daily with last vehicle entry at 4:40 pm. Public restrooms are open at the Visitor Center and USS Cairo 7 days a week. Park grounds are open sunrise to sunset daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Wednesday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM · Monday: Closed · Thursday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM · Sunday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM · Tuesday: Closed · Friday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM · Saturday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM
- Admission and fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $20.00 — This pass admits the driver and all passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle to the park.
Entrance - Motorcycle: $15.00 — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. The park requires all visitors to pay an entrance fee except children under 16 years of age.
Entrance - Per Person: $10.00 — Good for 7 days
You are purchasing a digital site pass that is valid only for weekly entrance fees at Vicksburg National Military Park. The park requires all visitors to pay an entrance fee except children under 16 years of age. The pass covers entry for one pedestrian or cyclist.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: Free — $10 per person, not to exceed commercial group rate.
Commercial Entrance - Sedan: $25.00 — $25.00 plus $10 per passenger (not to exceed $40).
Commercial Entrance - Van: $40.00 — As provided by non-NPS charter tour companies.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus: $40.00 — As provided by non-NPS charter tour companies.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach: $100.00 — As provided by non-NPS charter tour companies.
- Getting there
Plane — Closest commercial airport: Jackson, MS, 50 miles to the east. Car — Directions to Vicksburg: From the east — Take Interstate 20 west to Vicksburg, MS. Use exit ramp 4B. Follow Clay Street (US-80) west 0.25 miles to park entrance. From the north — Take Interstate 55 south to Jackson, MS. To save time, use Interstate 220 bypass on west side of Jackson. Take Interstate 20 west to Vicksburg approximately 40 miles. Use exit ramp 4B. Follow Clay Street (US-80) west 0.25 miles to park entrance.
- Periods interpreted
- American Civil War
- Official page
- https://www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm (opens nps.gov in a new tab)
- Official contact
- https://www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm/contacts.htm (opens nps.gov in a new tab)
Current alerts from the source
- Illinois Memorial Closed for Restoration (Park Closure) — The memorial itself closed for restoration starting on September 16, 2025. Starting on March 2, 2026, access to Tour Stops 2 and 3 will be temporarily closed. The closure point will be at the Shirley House. Visitors will still be able to continue north along Union Avenue and access the remainder of the Tour Road. This section will remain closed for the duration of the Illinois Memorial Restoration. The project is expected to be completed by September 2026.
- National Cemetery Closed to Vehicles; Open to Pedestrians (Park Closure) — Due to weather related incidents, Vicksburg National Cemetery is closed to vehicular traffic, however it is open to pedestrians. Visitor can park in the adjacent USS Cairo parking lot and walk into the cemetery.
- Louisiana Circle Closed (Park Closure) — Louisiana Circle is closed to vehicles and pedestrians due to slope instability. Navy Circle is open and also provides views of the Mississippi River.
Visitor centers
- Visitor Center — Inside the Visitor Center, Park Rangers are ready to answer your questions and assist with your orientation to park areas. To help ensure that their visit is safe and enjoyable, large groups or tours
- USS Cairo Museum — Visitor Center and museum to the USS Cairo. Exhibits include a film, artifacts from the USS Cairo, models, and the actual USS Cairo that visitors can walk on.
Programs and events
No upcoming events are listed yet. Events added by the organization appear here and on the main calendar together.
Send a message
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