Gettysburg National Military Park

Gettysburg National Military Park
Image credit: picture by Ross Dunn licenced under Attribution-ShareAlike License.

Gettysburg National Military Park, located in Pennsylvania, is a historic site that commemorates the famous Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. This national park covers an area of about 6,000 acres and is situated in Adams County, close to the town of Gettysburg.

The park holds immense historical significance, as it was the site of a crucial battle that occurred from July 1 to July 3, 1863. This three-day battle marked a turning point in the Civil War, resulting in a Union victory and influencing the outcome of the conflict. The Battle of Gettysburg is often considered a turning point because it not only halted General Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North but also led to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln.

Visitors to Gettysburg National Military Park can explore the vast battlefield, which has been preserved to reflect its appearance during the Civil War. The park features numerous monuments, memorials, and markers that pay homage to the soldiers and units that fought in the battle. Guided tours are available, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the events that took place.

In addition to the battlefield itself, the park also houses the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, which offers educational exhibits, displays artifacts, and presents multimedia presentations to provide visitors with comprehensive insights into the battle. The Cyclorama, a 377-foot circular painting, offers a panoramic view of the battlefield and its central interaction.

Aside from exploring the battlefield and visiting the museum, there are other attractions in the vicinity of Gettysburg National Military Park. The town of Gettysburg itself is a charming destination that showcases a rich history beyond the battle. Visitors can enjoy exploring historic downtown, which features quaint shops, eateries, and inns, with many buildings dating back to the time of the battle.

Another notable attraction nearby is the Eisenhower National Historic Site, located just a short drive from Gettysburg. This site was once the home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and offers guided tours, allowing visitors to see how the former president lived during his retirement years.

Overall, Gettysburg National Military Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the history of one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War. With its preserved battlefield, informative museum, and proximity to other historical attractions, it remains a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and visitors interested in understanding the impact of the Civil War.

Location

Located in the picturesque state of Pennsylvania, Gettysburg National Military Park is nestled in the rolling hills and lush countryside of Adams County. Situated in the southern portion of the state, approximately 57 miles southwest of the state capital, Harrisburg, the park encompasses an area of 6,000 acres. Its strategic positioning just north of the historic town of Gettysburg allows visitors to bask in the natural beauty of this region while immersing themselves in the significant historical events that unfolded here during the American Civil War. With its gently undulating terrain and panoramic vistas, the park's geographical location offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere, creating an ideal setting for reflection on the site's rich historical legacy.

Address & Contact

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

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Gettysburg National Military Park would be in the months of May, June, September, or October. During these months, the average maximum temperatures range from 65°F to 83°F, allowing for pleasant outdoor activities. The average monthly precipitation also stays within a moderate range of 4.2 to 4.9 inches, ensuring enjoyable weather conditions. Furthermore, visitor numbers are relatively high during these months, but not as crowded as in the peak summer months of July and August.

Things to do and learn in Gettysburg National Military Park

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Gettysburg National Military Park 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 Military Park: 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 Military Park

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

Hotels within or near Gettysburg National Military Park

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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

Days Inn by Wyndham Chambersburg

Located in Chambersburg, Days Inn by Wyndham Chambersburg is within a 5-minute drive of Cluggy's Family Amusement Center and Norlo Park. Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 30 Falling Spring Rd, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201
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

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