Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park is a national military park run by the National Park Service in Mississippi and Louisiana.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Become a Vicksburg BARK Ranger: Learn how your pet can become a BARK Ranger!
• Become a Junior Ranger at Vicksburg National Military Park: This program is designed for children making a visit to Vicksburg National Military Park. Children can explore the park and learn about Vicksburg through activities of varying difficulty. The Junior Ranger Program is available upon request at the Visitor Center.
• Watch Vicksburg National Military Park's Orientation Film (20 Minutes): This orientation film plays every half hour at the park's visitor center.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Thu 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Fri 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sat 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sun 8:30AM - 4:30PM. 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.

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.

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

• Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Thu 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Fri 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sat 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sun 8:30AM - 4:30PM. 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.
• USS Cairo Museum: Daily, 8:30AM - 4:30PM. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

Weather

Spring and fall in Vicksburg are always very pleasant with cool nights and warm, sunny days with temperatures ranging from lows of 40 degrees to highs of 70 degrees. Winter weather in Mississippi is usually mild except for occasional cold air invasions which normally last only a couple of days. Temperatures range from lows of 30 degrees to highs of 50 degrees. In the summer, weather is consistently hot, beginning in the low 70's and climbing to highs ranging from 80-100 degrees in the afternoon.

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 Hot Springs, about 195 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Vicksburg National Military Park (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.