Gettysburg National Cemetery

Gettysburg National Cemetery
Image credit: picture by Ken Lund licenced under Attribution-ShareAlike License.

Gettysburg National Cemetery, located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is a historic site holding significant importance in American history. This cemetery, situated on Baltimore Pike, was established to memorialize the soldiers who lost their lives during the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. The battle, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, was one of the bloodiest conflicts and marked a turning point in the war.

The Gettysburg National Cemetery spans approximately 17 acres and is managed by the National Park Service. It stands as a solemn testament to the sacrifices made by soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies. The cemetery was dedicated on November 19, 1863, with President Abraham Lincoln delivering his famous Gettysburg Address during the solemn ceremony.

Visitors to Gettysburg National Cemetery can explore its grounds and pay their respects at the various monuments and memorials erected in honor of the fallen soldiers. The soldiers' graves are marked with simple, uniform headstones, giving a poignant reminder of the scale of lives lost in this pivotal battle.

Adjacent to the cemetery is the Gettysburg National Military Park, which offers a wealth of educational opportunities for visitors. The park features a museum and visitor center where visitors can learn more about the battle and its historical context. The Cyclorama, a breathtaking 360-degree painting depicting one of the key moments of the battle, is a must-see attraction.

In addition to the military park, the town of Gettysburg itself offers numerous attractions and activities for visitors. History enthusiasts can explore the Gettysburg Heritage Center or take guided tours of the town to gain a deeper understanding of the battle's significance. The David Wills House, where President Lincoln stayed before delivering the Gettysburg Address, is also open to the public.

Overall, Gettysburg National Cemetery stands as a solemn and poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the Battle of Gettysburg. Its proximity to the Gettysburg National Military Park and other historical attractions makes it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in American history and the Civil War.

Location

Gettysburg National Cemetery is situated in the picturesque town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Nestled in the heart of Adams County, this historic cemetery is located in the southeastern part of the state, just a few miles north of the Maryland border. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush farmland, the cemetery is situated on Cemetery Hill, one of the three prominent ridges that played a significant role in the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. With its strategic position overlooking the town, the cemetery offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, adding to its distinctive charm and historical significance.

Address & Contact

1195 Baltimore Pike
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Driving Directions
Phone: NULL
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Gettysburg National Cemetery is in the months of May, June, and July. During this period, the average maximum temperatures range from 72°F to 86°F, allowing for pleasant outdoor activities. Additionally, the average monthly precipitation during these months remains below 5 inches, ensuring a relatively dry visit. Moreover, the visitor count is higher during these months, indicating a lively atmosphere without excessively large crowds.

Things to do and learn in Gettysburg National Cemetery

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Gettysburg National Cemetery are: Food Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs Biking Hiking Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Living History Self-Guided Tours - Auto Reenactments Historic Weapons Demonstration Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour

Topics

Learn about these topics at Gettysburg National Cemetery: Presidents Animals Birds Transportation Tortoises and Turtles Fire Military Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Religion and Spirituality Churches Schools and Education Grasslands Meadows Scenic Views Wetlands Infantry and Militia Artillery Battlefields Monuments and Memorials Wars and Conflicts Civil War Cavalry Medicine Hospital Prairies National Cemetery Trains and Railroads

Amenities

Visitor Centers

Museum and Visitor Center

Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is the place to begin your visit to the battlefield. Here you will learn how to visit the park and what to see around Gettysburg. For visitor safety, all bags are subject to inspection. Bags prohibited inside the Museum & Visitor Center building include cooler bags, luggage, and bags with wheels. The Museum and Visitor Center is privately owned and operated by the Gettysburg Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service.

Passport Stamp locations

The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Museum and Visitor Center.

Campsites within or near Gettysburg National Cemetery

This park doesn't have any campsites within its boundaries (or we haven't found them yet)).

Hotels within or near Gettysburg National Cemetery

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Super 8 by Wyndham Chambersburg I-81

With a stay at Super 8 by Wyndham Chambersburg I-81 in Chambersburg, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Chambersburg Mall and Cluggy's Family Amusement Center. Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 3301 Black Gap Rd, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17202
Web: Link

Inn at Cemetery Hill

With a stay at Inn at Cemetery Hill in Gettysburg, you'll be within a 5-minute walk of Cemetery Hill and Gettysburg National Cemetery. Featured amenities include a computer station, a 24-hour front desk, and multilingual staff. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 613 Baltimore St, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
Web: Link

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gettysburg, PA

Located in Gettysburg, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gettysburg, PA is connected to a shopping center, a 4-minute walk from Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg and within a 5-minute drive of Mulligan MacDuffer Adventure Golf. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Planning an event in Gettysburg? This hotel has facilities measuring 888 square feet (82 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1857 Gettysburg Village Dr, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
Web: Link

Comfort Inn

When you stay at Comfort Inn in Chambersburg, you'll be in the suburbs, within a 5-minute drive of Chambersburg Mall and Cluggy's Family Amusement Center. Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 3648 Old Scotland Road, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17202
Web: Link

Boston Inn

Located in Westminster, Boston Inn is in a rural location, within a 5-minute drive of Carroll County Farm Museum and McDaniel College. Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, and a vending machine.
Address: 533 Baltimore Blvd, Westminster, Maryland 21157
Web: Link

Quality Inn & Suites

A stay at Quality Inn & Suites places you in the heart of Chambersburg, a 2-minute drive from Chambersburg Mall and 5 minutes from Cluggy's Family Amusement Center. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1435 Doron Dr, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201
Web: Link

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Chambersburg, PA

Located in Chambersburg, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Chambersburg, PA is within a 5-minute drive of Cluggy's Family Amusement Center and Franklin County Visitors Bureau. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Planning an event in Chambersburg? This hotel has 300 square feet (28 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 399 Beddington Blvd, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201
Web: Link

The Inn at Ragged Edge

Located in Chambersburg, The Inn at Ragged Edge is on a river, a 4-minute drive from Norlo Park and 6 minutes from Chambersburg Mall. Featured amenities include express check-in, express check-out, and multilingual staff. Planning an event in Chambersburg? This bed & breakfast has facilities measuring 1,200 square feet (0 square meters), including a conference center. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 1090 Ragged Edge Road, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17202
Web: Link

Inn At Herr Ridge

With a stay at Inn At Herr Ridge in Gettysburg, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of The David Wills House and Majestic Theater. Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 900 Chambersburg Rd, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
Web: Link

Inn at Springfield Manor

When you stay at Inn at Springfield Manor in Thurmont, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 11836 Auburn Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788
Web: Link

News and Alerts

Date issued Details
2026-04-07Prescribed fire returns to Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg National Military Park staff and U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) staff are preparing to conduct a prescribed fire on March 8, weather permitting. Park and USWFS staff plan to burn portions of the west slope of Little Round Top (52 acres) and the Munshower field (36 acres) immediately north of Little Round Top. Prescribed fire activity will be completed as soon as all safety protocols are met. More
2026-03-11Individual Arrested for Little Round Top Monument Vandalism
On March 6, 2026, National Park Service law enforcement rangers, with assistance from the Carlisle (PA) Police Department, arrested Lucas J. Reisinger, 36, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on two felony counts of destruction of veterans’ memorials in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1369. Reisinger is accused of carving his initials into two monuments at Little Round Top in Gettysburg National Military Park in September 2025. More
2026-03-05White-tailed Deer Test Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease at Gettysburg National Military Park
During recent white-tailed deer reduction operations and subsequent disease sampling at Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) and Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS), two deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This marks the first confirmed case of CWD at Gettysburg NMP. More
2026-01-08David Wills House Closure
The David Wills House is currently closed. No known reopening date is available. Please visit our David Wills House web page for more information and a 3D tour of the house. More
2025-09-26Stone Containing Dinosaur Fossil on “Dinosaur Bridge” Vandalized
Staff at Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) report that one of the capstones of the South Confederate Avenue Bridge over Plum Run, best known as “Dinosaur Bridge,” that contains a dinosaur fossil, was vandalized on Thursday, September 25. More
2025-09-18“Fall into History” at Gettysburg National Military Park
This fall, Gettysburg National Military Park invites visitors to “Fall into History,” over two extraordinary weekends of ranger-led programs, dramatic storytelling, and immersive battlefield walks, set against the vibrant backdrop of autumn in Pennsylvania. More