Vicksburg National Military Park

About

Vicksburg National Military Park preserves the site of one of the Civil War's most pivotal campaigns. The 47-day siege of Vicksburg in 1863 gave the Union control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two. Today, the park spans over 1,800 acres of rolling terrain dotted with more than 1,350 monuments, markers, and plaques honoring soldiers from both sides of the conflict.

The park's 16-mile driving tour winds through the battlefield, passing reconstructed earthworks, artillery positions, and state memorials that range from grand classical structures to simple stone markers. Each stop tells a piece of the larger story. You can take the tour at your own pace, and an audio CD is available for purchase at the visitor center to guide you along the route.

The Clay Street Visitor Center is a great place to start. Inside, you'll find a fiber optic map with narration that walks you through the entire Vicksburg campaign, giving you context before you head out to explore. The museum exhibits cover the military strategy, daily life during the siege, and the lasting impact on the city and its residents.

One of the park's most remarkable features is the USS Cairo, an ironclad gunboat that sank in the Yazoo River in 1862 and was recovered a century later. The restored vessel and its accompanying museum house thousands of artifacts from the ship, offering a fascinating glimpse into Civil War naval warfare.

The park also includes the Vicksburg National Cemetery, the final resting place for over 17,000 Union soldiers. It's a solemn and moving place to visit.

Licensed tour guides are available for hire at the visitor center. They'll ride in your vehicle and provide a two-hour guided tour, sharing stories and details you might miss on your own. For history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike, Vicksburg National Military Park offers a deeply meaningful experience that connects you to a turning point in American history.

Accessibility

The park's 16-mile driving tour is fully accessible by vehicle, making the battlefield experience available to visitors of all mobility levels. An audio CD tour guide can be purchased at the visitor center to enhance the driving experience.

The Clay Street Visitor Center is fully wheelchair accessible. Inside, the fiber optic map presentation includes a narration track detailing the Vicksburg campaign events. The center's updated wayside displays include tactile features, which benefit visitors with visual impairments.

The USS Cairo exhibit and museum are also fully accessible. Several major monuments along the tour route are wheelchair accessible as well.

Licensed park tour guides can be hired at the visitor center and will provide a two-hour driving tour in your own vehicle, which is a great option for visitors who want a guided experience without leaving their car.

Service animals are permitted throughout the park and all indoor facilities.

It's worth noting that the park's walking trails are generally not wheelchair or stroller friendly due to steep grades ranging from 8% to over 12% in some sections. The terrain is hilly, and visitors using wheelchairs or mobility equipment may need all-terrain tires or motorized assistance for any off-road exploration.

Contact the park directly at (601) 636-0583 for current details about accessible restrooms, designated parking areas, and any recent improvements to pathways or facilities.

More accessible places in Mississippi

• Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site (Baldwyn)
• Gulf Islands National Seashore - Mississippi District (Ocean Springs)
• Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument (Jackson)
• Natchez National Historical Park (Natchez)
• Gulf Islands National Seashore (Gulfport)
• Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (Jackson)

Photo credits

• Vicksburg National Military Park - main view of accessible destination: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Vicksburg National Military Park - view 2 of accessible destination: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)
• Vicksburg National Military Park - view 3 of accessible destination: National Park Service, Public domain (U.S. National Park Service)