Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

All clear. The managing agency, the National Weather Service and wildfire reporting show no current alerts.

Overview

Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces cut off supplies to both Petersburg and the Confederate capital, Richmond. Today, the park preserves the sites of this pivotal campaign.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Biking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Fishing
  • Freshwater Fishing
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Eastern Front Tour Road and Trails: The Eastern Front Unit includes our main visitor center and a four mile, 8-stop tour road which includes the Fort Stedman and Crater battlefields. During Spring and Summer, the tour road closes at sunset or 8:00 pm (whichever is earlier). In the Fall and Winter, the tour road closes at 5:00pm. The Visitor Center is open from 9:00 - 5:00 pm daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day when the park is closed.

General Grant's Headquarters at City Point: The grounds, with wayside exhibits are open during daylight hours.

Five Forks Battlefield: The recreational trails and driving tour stops are open daily.

Getting there

The Eastern Front (Main) Visitor Center is located approximately 2.5 miles east of Rt. 95 off of Route 36 in Petersburg. If travelling north on Rt. 95, take exit 50D and follow signs to Wythe Street. Once on Wythe Street, travel 2.5 miles east to entrance of Battlefield. If travelling south on Rt. 95, take Exit 52 (Wythe Street). Again, travel about 2.5 miles to entrance.

Visitor centers

  • Eastern Front Visitor Center
  • Five Forks Visitor Contact Station
  • General Grant's Headquarters at City Point

Weather

Winters are usually cool with temperatures averaging in the 40s. Spring and fall are mild. Summer can bring very hot and humid weather.

Phone: 8047323531

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Earthworks covered in green grass.
Fort Fisher · NPS
Small American flags flutter in front of white marble headstones.
Flags at Poplar Grove National Cemetery 2025 · NPS
An arbor stands 20 feet in front of a two story white house with a red shingled roof.
Appomattox House · NPS
Five men in Confederate uniforms fire a cannon.
Cannon Demonstration · NPS

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