10 Best Civil War Battlefields to Visit

The American Civil War was a watershed point in American history, altering the country in ways that are still felt today. Touring the battlegrounds of this conflict can provide a unique perspective on this pivotal moment in history.

The United States has a number of Civil War battlefields open to visitors, ranging from the hills of Pennsylvania to the banks of the Mississippi River.

These places provide an opportunity to learn about the tales and events that impacted the conflict through surviving structures, monuments, and markers that honor the warriors who fought and died on both sides.

Below are some of the top Civil War battlefields to visit, including their history, noteworthy landmarks, and recreational and educational options.

Top Civil War Battlefields to Visit

1. Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg National Military Park is one of the most prominent Civil War locations in the United States, located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1-3, 1863, was a decisive Union victory that resulted in over 51,000 casualties, making it the worst fight of the American Civil War.

The park now encompasses nearly 6,000 acres of conserved battlefields, as well as a visitor center, museum, and the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the battlefield, which includes stops at historic sites and landmarks such Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, and the Confederacy’s High Water Mark.

The park’s museum, which includes artifacts, dioramas, and interactive displays, provides a lot of information on the combat and the larger background of the Civil War. For individuals interested in Civil War history, the museum also has a study library.

One of the most prominent monuments of Gettysburg National Military Park is the Gettysburg National Cemetery, which is the final resting place for almost 3,500 Union troops who died during the conflict.

A massive monument honors the soldiers who fought and died at Gettysburg, as well as President Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech given in 1863.

Overall, Gettysburg National Military Park is a must-see location for Civil War buffs, with a rich history and a variety of sights to explore. The park’s setting in the gorgeous Pennsylvania countryside also offers plenty of options for outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and animal viewing.

2. Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam National Battlefield

Antietam National Battlefield is located in Sharpsburg, Maryland, and was the location of America’s deadliest single-day combat. Union and Confederate armies met on September 17, 1862, resulting in over 23,000 casualties.

The battlefield is now a national park, and tourists can explore a number of locations, including the Antietam National Cemetery, the Burnside Bridge, and the Dunker Church.

Visitors to the battlefield can take a self-guided tour that includes stops at several historic structures and landmarks. The visitor center includes displays about the combat and the larger backdrop of the Civil War, as well as a film about it.

The Burnside Bridge, which played an important role in the conflict, is one of the most well-known landmarks on the battlefield. Confederate forces defended the bridge from Union troops, resulting in a deadly battle. Visitors can still stroll across the bridge and explore the surrounding region because it is still standing.

The Antietam National Cemetery, which is the ultimate resting place of approximately 4,000 Union soldiers who died during the conflict, is also worth a visit. A massive monument honors the soldiers who fought and died at Antietam in the cemetery.

3. Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, was the location of a major Northern victory during the Civil War. The Union Army gained control of the Mississippi River during the Battle of Vicksburg, which lasted from May to July 1863.

The park now contains a tourist center, a museum, and over 1,300 memorials and markers commemorating the soldiers who fought and died during the fight.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the battlefield, stopping at historic sites and locations such as the USS Cairo Museum, the Vicksburg National Cemetery, and the reconstructed Union gunboat, the USS Cairo.

The park’s museum contains exhibits that include artifacts, interactive displays, and a film about the conflict, and it provides a lot of information about the battle and the larger background of the Civil War. For individuals interested in Civil War history, the museum also has a study library.

The Vicksburg National Cemetery, which is the final resting place for almost 17,000 Union soldiers who died during the fight, is one of the most significant landmarks within Vicksburg National Military Park. A massive monument honors the soldiers who fought and died in the Battle of Vicksburg.

4. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is a vast park that covers two states, Georgia and Tennessee, and protects two of the western theater’s most important Civil War battlefields. The park is about 9,000 acres in size and has a number of historic houses, monuments, and conserved battlefield locations.

With nearly 34,000 casualties, the Battle of Chickamauga, fought on September 19-20, 1863, was the second bloodiest conflict of the Civil War. The park contains the Chickamauga Battlefield, where tourists can examine the battle’s different sites, such as Snodgrass Hill, Horseshoe Ridge, and the Brotherton House.

The park also includes a tourist center, museum, and many hiking paths that provide insight into the battle’s history.

The Battle of Chattanooga, fought on November 23-25, 1863, was a decisive Union victory that aided General William T. Sherman’s march to Atlanta.

Lookout Peak, Missionary Ridge, and Point Park, which gives beautiful views of the surrounding area, are among the historic landmarks in the park. The park also includes a tourist center, museum, and many hiking paths that provide insight into the battle’s history.

5. Manassas National Battlefield Park

Manassas National Battlefield Park

Manassas National Battlefield Park is located in Manassas, Virginia, and was the location of two key Civil War battles: the First Battle of Bull Run and the Second Battle of Bull Run.

The park encompasses approximately 5,000 acres and has a number of restored battlefield locations, as well as a tourist center and museum.

The First Battle of Bull Run, fought on July 21, 1861, was the first major conflict of the Civil War and resulted in a Confederate victory.

The park features the Henry Hill Visitor Center, where visitors may learn about the conflict and its larger context through exhibits and interactive displays. The park also has a self-guided driving tour and many hiking paths that provide insight into the battle’s history.

On August 28-30, 1862, the Confederacy won the Second Battle of Bull Run, resulting in almost 20,000 deaths. The park contains several conserved battlefield sites from the conflict, including the Stone House, Chinn Ridge, and Groveton Cemetery.

The Stone Bridge, which played an important role in both conflicts, is one of the most recognizable sites within Manassas National Battlefield Park. Visitors can still stroll across the bridge and explore the surrounding region because it is still standing.

6. Shiloh National Military Park

Shiloh National Military Park

Shiloh National Military Park is located in southwestern Tennessee and was the location of a major Civil War Union victory. The Battle of Shiloh, fought on April 6-7, 1862, was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the war, with over 23,000 casualties.

The park now has approximately 4,000 acres of conserved battlefields, as well as a museum and a cemetery. Tourists can take a self-guided tour of the battlefield, stopping at historic structures and sights such the Hornet’s Nest, Bloody Pond, and the Peach Orchard.

The park’s museum, which includes artifacts, dioramas, and interactive displays, provides a lot of information on the combat and the larger background of the Civil War. For individuals interested in Civil War history, the museum also has a library and research center.

The Shiloh National Cemetery, which is the final resting place for almost 3,500 Union troops who died during the fight, is one of the most significant landmarks at Shiloh National Military Park. A massive monument commemorating the troops who fought and died at Shiloh marks the cemetery.

7. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is located in central Virginia and encompasses four Civil War battlefields fought in the same region: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania.

The park is about 8,000 acres in size and offers a variety of activities, including driving tours and ranger-led tours.

The Confederacy won the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 11-15, 1862, resulting in approximately 17,000 losses. The Fredericksburg Battlefield is part of the park, and visitors can tour historic structures such as the Sunken Road, Marye’s Heights, and the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

The Battle of Chancellorsville, fought on May 1-4, 1863, was a Confederate victory that saw the death of General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The Chancellorsville Battlefield is part of the park, and visitors can explore historic monuments such as the Jackson Shrine, the Chancellor House, and the Wilderness Tavern.

The Battle of Wilderness, which took place on May 5-7, 1864, was a deadly and inconclusive action that marked the start of General Ulysses S. Grant’s Overland Campaign. The Wilderness Battlefield is part of the park, and tourists can explore historic structures including the Ellwood House and the Wilderness Tavern.

The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, fought from May 8 to 21, 1864, was a bloody engagement that claimed over 30,000 lives. The Spotsylvania Battlefield is part of the park, and visitors can explore historic structures such as the Bloody Angle, the Confederate Cemetery, and the Spotsylvania Court House.

8. Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site

Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site

Perryville Battlefield State Historic Park, located in Perryville, Kentucky, was the location of one of the most major Civil War battles in the western theater. The Battle of Perryville, fought on October 8, 1862, resulted in nearly 7,000 losses for the Union and helped consolidate Northern control of Kentucky.

The park now contains a visitor center, a museum, and a preserved battlefield site with historic structures like the Parsons House and the Bottom House. Visitors can self-guide a tour of the battlefield and learn about the combat in the visitor center, which has exhibits that provide an overview of the battle and the larger context of the Civil War.

The park’s museum contains exhibits that include artifacts, dioramas, and interactive displays that provide a lot of knowledge about the conflict and the people who participated in it. For individuals interested in Civil War history, the museum also has a study library.

The Parsons House, which operated as a field hospital during the fight and has been restored to its original look, is one of the most significant landmarks within Perryville Battlefield State Historic Park. Visitors can tour the house and learn about medical techniques of the period, as well as the experiences of troops who were treated there.

9. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Missouri

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is located in southwestern Missouri and was the location of the first significant engagement fought west of the Mississippi River during the Civil War. The Confederate victory in the Battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861, resulted in over 2,500 dead.

The park now contains a visitor center, a museum, and a conserved battlefield site with historic structures like the Ray House and the Bloody Hill Interpretation Path. Visitors can self-guide a tour of the battlefield and learn about the combat in the visitor center, which has exhibits that provide an overview of the battle and the larger context of the Civil War.

The park’s museum contains exhibits that include artifacts, dioramas, and interactive displays that provide a lot of knowledge about the conflict and the people who participated in it. For individuals interested in Civil War history, the museum also has a study library.

The Ray House, which operated as a field hospital during the fight and has been restored to its original appearance, is one of the most significant landmarks at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. Visitors can tour the house and learn about medical techniques of the period, as well as the experiences of troops who were treated there.

10. Stones River National Battlefield, Tennessee

Stones River National Battlefield

The Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was the site of a Union victory that helped gain control of middle Tennessee. The Battle of Stones River, which lasted from December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863, claimed almost 23,000 lives.

The park now contains a visitor center, a museum, and a preserved battlefield site with historic structures like the Hazen Brigade Monument and the Slaughter Pen.

Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the battlefield, stopping at numerous historic structures and landmarks along the way, and learn more about the war at the visitor center.

The park’s museum, which includes artifacts, dioramas, and interactive displays, provides a lot of information on the combat and the larger background of the Civil War. For individuals interested in Civil War history, the museum also has a study library.

The Hazen Brigade Monument, which remembers the Union soldiers who fought and died at Stones River, is one of the most significant sites at Stones River National Battlefield.

The monument, which stands over 30 feet tall and features a statue of a Union soldier at the top, is one of the largest and most striking in the park.