Vicksburg National Military Park (U.S. National Park Service)

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Welcome to the Vicksburg National Military Park website.

Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg. Vicksburg was a fortress located on high ground guarding the Mississippi River. Its surrender on July 4, 1863, coupled with the fall of Port Hudson, Louisiana, divided the South, and gave the North undisputed control of the Mississippi River. The Vicksburg battlefield includes 1,330 monuments and markers, a 16 mile tour road, a restored Union gunboat, and a National Cemetery.

Park Road Closures

November 3, 2008 – September 30, 2009 — Due to major road construction in the park, several sections of the tour road will be intermittently closed and/or travel restricted throughout the year.

January 1-16, 2009 - Pemberton Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic due to the milling and laying of new asphalt. At this time, pedestrians will be allowed through the construction area and are requested to stay on the grassy berms alongside the road.

Please continue to check the web site and visitor center information desks for updates on status of future road closures.
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U.S.S. Cairo Gunboat and Museum

The U.S.S. Cairo (pronounced Care-o), a Union ironclad commanded by Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr., was named for Cairo, Illinois, and commissioned on January 16, 1862. On December 12, 1862, in the Yazoo River north of Vicksburg, Cairo struck two underwater torpedoes (today called mines) sinking in less than 12 minutes with no loss of life. Preserved by mud and silt, Cairo sat on the bottom of the Yazoo River for 102 years. It was raised in 1964, and later restored. The ironclad is now on display within Vicksburg National Military Park.
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		Vicksburg National Cemetery Vicksburg National Cemetery encompasses 117.85 acres and includes over 18,000 interments. Graves of Civil War soldiers total 17,077, of which 12,909 are unknown. An additional 1,280 graves are occupied by soldiers who participated in the Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean Conflict. more...

		Commanders and Troops Patriotism during the Civil War was deep-rooted, and over 600,000 enlisted men and officers would die in pursuit of two opposing dreams. These fighting men, both North and South, made the best of life on the battlefield and in camp, amid the hardship and tedium of soldiering. more...

Write to

Vicksburg National Military Park
3201 Clay Street
Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information
(601) 636-0583

Fax

(601) 636-9497

Climate

Sunny, with humid rainy periods throughout the year. Sudden and severe thunderstorms are common. Mild winters. Summers hot and humid. Wear comfortable sportswear in season, with walking or hiking shoes recommended.