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National Battlefield · Virginia

Petersburg National Battlefield

National Battlefield in Virginia. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Battlefield
StateVirginia
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkShenandoah (104 mi)
Closest airportRIC (23 mi)
Pictured is the front of the brick visitor center under a cloudless blue sky.
Eastern Front Visitor Center Photo: NPS

Petersburg National Battlefield is a national battlefield run by the National Park Service in Virginia.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Visit Poplar Grove National Cemetery (30 Minutes): Walk around Poplar Grove National Cemetery and reflect on the tragedy that befell the United States during the Civil War. Each simple headstone is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.
  • Drive the Eastern Front Tour Road (30 Minutes): The Eastern Front Tour Road is 4-miles, one-way, and has eight stops encompassing the first couple months of General Grant's assault on Petersburg in 1864.
  • Walk Around City Point (30 Minutes): Walk around City Point to explore why this area was, and still is, a popular place for living along the rivers. The Eppes family established the Appomattox plantation and their home here as early as 1635, until 1976. In 1864, General Grant and the U.S. Army used City Point as its headquarters to supply the army during

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. 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.

Lodging

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Richmond International Airport (RIC) Richmond, VA No road route 23 Large hub
Newport News Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) Newport News, VA No road route 54 Regional
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) Norfolk, VA No road route 73 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • [Eastern Front Visitor Center](): Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Main visitor center where Rangers will be present to provide information and assist with research when possible.
  • [Five Forks Visitor Contact Station](): Mon 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 10:00PM - 4:00PM. The visitor center is currently open Friday - Monday 10 am to 4 pm. The trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Parking for is available at the trailheads and each stop on the driving tour has a pullout for parking. When the visitor center is closed the grounds and trails are open for touring every day from sunrise to sunset.
  • [General Grant's Headquarters at City Point](): Mon 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 10:00AM - 4:00PM. Appomattox Plantation house was home of the Eppes Family. Visitors can view a 15-minute video and tour the bottom floor of the home which includes numerous exhibits dealing with the Union Army's occupation of City Point as well as the free and enslaved people who lived on the plantation. When the plantation house is closed the grounds are open for touring every day from sunrise to sunset.

Weather

Winters are usually cool with temperatures averaging in the 40s. Spring and fall are mild. Summer can bring very hot and humid weather.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 104 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Petersburg National Battlefield?

No entrance fee.

Where is Petersburg National Battlefield?

In Virginia. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Richmond International Airport, about 23 miles away.

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