The Complete Guide to All 37 Civil War National Park Sites: Battle-to-Reconstruction Journey

As someone who’s been systematically visiting all 430+ National Park Service sites Civil War National Park sites represent some of the most powerful and educational experiences. I have exploring battlefields from Gettysburg to Stones River and walked the grounds where Lincoln once stood, and these sites provide more than history, they provide connection to our shared history.

The National Park Service preserves 37 Civil War and Reconstruction-era sites, ranging from massive battlefield parks that draw nearly 1.5 million visitors annually to intimate historic homes that see fewer than 10,000 guests per year.

Understanding the Scope: What Counts as a Civil War Site

How do you define a Civil War site? This is important to understand how sites are organized. The 37 sites I identified fall into the following categories:

16 Battlefields and Military Parks – From major engagements like Antietam to lesser-known but equally significant battles like Pea Ridge
5 Civil War Forts and Strategic Installations – Includes coastal fortifications like Fort Monroe, strategic strongholds, and Civil War prisons like Andersonville
4 Lincoln-Related Sites – Birthplace, childhood home, adult residence, and assassination site at Ford’s Theatre
6 Reconstruction Sites – Including the Underground Railroad and post-war Reconstruction Era
6 Additional Historic Sites – Leaders’ homes like Grant NHS, memorials, and related Civil War locations like Andrew Johnson NHS

Complete List of All 37 Civil War Sites

Sorted by 2024 visitation totals

Civil War Forts and Strategic Installations (5+ sites)

Fort Washington Park (Maryland)
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie NHP (South Carolina)
Fort Pulaski NM (Georgia)
Dry Tortugas NP (Florida) – [Fort Jefferson – Civil War prison]
Fort Monroe National Monument (Virginia)

Fort Donelson NB (Tennessee) – [Also listed under major battlefields]

Lincoln Trail Sites (4 sites)

Ford’s Theatre NHS (Washington DC)
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP (Kentucky)
Lincoln Home NHS (Illinois)
Lincoln Boyhood NMEM (Indiana)

Front view of Ford's Theater building and blue sky — Ford’s Theater, Washington D.C.

Reconstruction Era and Civil Rights (6 sites)

Camp Nelson NM (Kentucky)
Frederick Douglass NHS (Washington DC)
Booker T. Washington NM (Virginia)
Reconstruction Era NHP (South Carolina)
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad NHP (Maryland)
Clara Barton NHS (Maryland)

Other Important Civil War Sites (6 sites)

Harpers Ferry NHP (West Virginia)
Arlington House (Virginia)
Appomattox Court House NHP (Virginia)
Andersonville NHS (Georgia)
Andrew Johnson NHS (Tennessee)
Ulysses S. Grant NHS (Missouri)

Special Consideration: Dry Tortugas National Park

Why It’s Special: Located 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas NP houses Fort Jefferson, which served as a Civil War prison for Lincoln assassination conspirators. This massive 19th-century fortress offers a unique perspective on Civil War justice and post-war consequences. Added bonus, when you visit you can also enjoy one of the best snorkeling and remote beach locations in Key West.

Planning Note: Due to its remote location (accessible only by boat or seaplane), Dry Tortugas requires separate trip planning and can’t easily be combined with other Civil War sites. Make sure to check out our planning guide for Dry Tortugas for some special tips.

The Most Popular Civil War National Park Sites

Understanding which Civil War battlefields and historic sites draw the largest crowds helps with trip planning and timing.

(2024 visitation numbers):

Kennesaw Mountain NBP (Georgia) – 1,495,856 visits
Chickamauga & Chattanooga NMP (Georgia/Tennessee) – 1,003,081 visits
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP (Virginia) – 818,533 visits
Gettysburg NMP (Pennsylvania) – 741,574 visits
Manassas NBP (Virginia) – 541,965 visits
Fort Washington Park (Maryland) – 491,013 visits
Harpers Ferry NHP (West Virginia) – 488,049 visits
Ford’s Theatre NHS (Washington DC) – 457,132 visits
Arlington House (Virginia) – 447,641 visits
Stones River NB (Tennessee) – 446,160 visits

View from Confederate earthworks at Illinois Monument in the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park — Confederate Earthworks Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

Additional Tips for Visit Civil War Sites

Passport Stamps

Every NPS site offers unique National Park passport stamps. Civil War National Park sites often have multiple stamp locations—visitor centers, historic buildings, and sometimes seasonal locations. I’ve learned to always ask rangers about special stamps or limited-time commemorative options.

If you’re just getting started with stamp collecting, check out our guide to choosing the best National Park passport stamp book for your visits.

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Bonus Stamp

Ranger Program Priorities

The best experiences come from ranger-led programs. At Gettysburg, the “Pickett’s Charge” walk is really impactful. At Antietam, the “Bloody Lane” tour provides insights impossible to gain alone. Book these programs early, especially during peak season.

Technology Integration

The National Park Service App offers a great phone app that provides great guides for the sites that cover the Civil War. You can keep track of all your visits and you can download the information so you don’t have to rely on an internet connection. This is certainly helpful for sites off the beaten track.

Budget Considerations and Planning

Entry Fees

Most Civil War sites are free, but major parks like Gettysburg charge fees ($15 per vehicle as of 2024). The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) pays for itself quickly if visiting multiple fee sites. Keep in mind, if you have a fourth grader in the family you can get into National Parks for Free!

Accommodation Strategies

Virginia Circuit: Fredericksburg and Richmond offer good central bases
Pennsylvania/Maryland: Gettysburg area provides access to multiple sites
Western Theater: Plan for more scattered accommodations

Transportation

Many battlefields are extensive—Gettysburg covers 6,000 acres. Factor in significant driving time between monuments and plan for walking several miles daily.

Understanding the Complete Story

The National Park Service has increasingly focused on telling complete Civil War stories, including civilian experiences, slavery, and Reconstruction. Sites like Reconstruction Era NHP in South Carolina and Camp Nelson in Kentucky provide essential context for understanding the war’s broader impact on American society.

I hope this continues and the complete American story continues to be told.

Special Events and Commemorations

Many Civil War National Park sites host annual events that enhance the visitor experience and tell the complete story of the Civil War era:

Military History Commemorations:

Gettysburg: Anniversary weekend in July features symposiums and special programs
Antietam: September 17th commemoration of the bloodiest day
Appomattox: Surrender anniversary in April with living history
Ford’s Theatre: Lincoln assassination commemorations in April, that have included a wreath-laying ceremony at the Petersen House, and a play that reenacts the events

The Lincoln Gun sign and back of Lincoln gun next to tree — The Lincoln Gun, Fort Monroe National Monument

Slavery, Emancipation, and Civil Rights Programming:

Fort Monroe: August commemorations of the 1619 arrival of the first Africans in Virginia, plus “Contraband Camp” living history programs throughout the summer
Juneteenth Celebrations (June 19th): Many sites including Harpers Ferry, Fort Monroe, and Reconstruction Era NHP host special Juneteenth programming celebrating the end of slavery
Emancipation Proclamation Anniversary (January 1st): Winter programming at Lincoln sites and Civil War battlefields
Underground Railroad Programs: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad NHP and other sites offer special programming during Black History Month (February)
Reconstruction Era: Living history programs about freed people’s experiences during spring and summer months
Camp Nelson: Special events highlighting the role of formerly enslaved people as Union soldiers and the creation of refugee communities

Other Educational Programming:

Many sites offer year-round programs on topics like “From Slavery to Freedom,” contraband camps, and African American Civil War soldiers
Living history demonstrations featuring stories of formerly enslaved people who escaped to Union lines
Special tours focusing on sites’ roles in emancipation and early civil rights movements

Plan trips around these events for enhanced programming. Many sites also offer educational programs throughout the year that focus on the experiences of enslaved people, freedpeople, and early civil rights activists that complement the traditional military history interpretation.

Creating Your Personal Civil War Journey

The 37 Civil War sites offer enough material for years of exploration. Whether you choose to follow one of my suggested circuits or create your own journey, remember that these sites preserve more than history—they preserve the memory of Americans who died to determine what kind of nation we would become.

Start with the sites that interest you most, but don’t ignore the smaller locations. Some of my most powerful experiences have come from lesser-known sites where you can walk battlefields in solitude and contemplate the enormous sacrifice these grounds represent.

Whether you’re beginning your Civil War site journey or adding to an existing quest, these locations offer authentic, preserved access to the most important chapter in American history. Plan thoughtfully, visit respectfully, and prepare for experiences that will deepen your understanding of both the past and present.

Have you visited any of these Civil War sites? I’d love to hear about your experiences and any tips for fellow travelers in the comments below. Did I miss anything in this list? Should I add or remove any locations?