Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Park Closure Illinois Memorial Closed for Restoration

The memorial itself closed for restoration starting on September 16, 2025. Starting on March 2, 2026, access to Tour Stops 2 and 3 will be temporarily closed. The closure point will be at the Shirley House. Visitors will still be able to continue north along Union Avenue and access the remainder of the Tour Road. This section will remain closed for the duration of the Illinois Memorial Restoration. The project is expected to be completed by September 2026.

Read the full alert

Park Closure National Cemetery Closed to Vehicles; Open to Pedestrians

Due to weather related incidents, Vicksburg National Cemetery is closed to vehicular traffic, however it is open to pedestrians. Visitor can park in the adjacent USS Cairo parking lot and walk into the cemetery.

Park Closure Louisiana Circle Closed

Louisiana Circle is closed to vehicles and pedestrians due to slope instability. Navy Circle is open and also provides views of the Mississippi River.

Overview

To Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Vicksburg was the "nailhead that holds the South's two halves together." President Abraham Lincoln remarked "Vicksburg is the key" to victory, and could be the north's lifeline into the south. As the federals closed in on the Fortress City, they were met by a ring of forts with over 170 cannon. The resulting battle would determine the war's outcome.

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
  • Road Biking
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Living History
  • Historic Weapons Demonstration
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Visitor Center: The Visitor Center is open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Wednesday-Sunday. Tour road is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm daily with last vehicle entry at 4:40 pm. Public restrooms are open at the Visitor Center and USS Cairo 7 days a week. Park grounds are open sunrise to sunset daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Vehicle Access to Tour Road: Tour Road is open to vehicles from 8:30 am-5 pm. Last vehicle entry on the tour road is 4:40 pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

USS Cairo Outdoor Exhibit Area: The USS Cairo outdoor exhibit area including the ironclad itself is open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

USS Cairo Museum: The USS Cairo Museum is open 7 days a week from 8:30AM till 4:30PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Vicksburg National Military Park Grounds: Park Roads are open to pedestrians and bicyclists from sunrise to sunset. Tour road is open to vehicles 8:30 am to 5 pm with last entry at 4:40 pm.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle — $20.00
  • Entrance - Motorcycle — $15.00
  • Entrance - Per Person — $10.00
  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
  • Commercial Entrance - Sedan — $25.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Van — $40.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $40.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $100.00
  • Annual Entrance - Park — $35.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

Getting there

Plane — Closest commercial airport: Jackson, MS, 50 miles to the east. Car — Directions to Vicksburg: From the east — Take Interstate 20 west to Vicksburg, MS. Use exit ramp 4B. Follow Clay Street (US-80) west 0.25 miles to park entrance. From the north — Take Interstate 55 south to Jackson, MS. To save time, use Interstate 220 bypass on west side of Jackson. Take Interstate 20 west to Vicksburg approximately 40 miles. Use exit ramp 4B. Follow Clay Street (US-80) west 0.25 miles to park entrance.

Visitor centers

Weather

Spring and fall in Vicksburg are always very pleasant with cool nights and warm, sunny days with temperatures ranging from lows of 40 degrees to highs of 70 degrees. Winter weather in Mississippi is usually mild except for occasional cold air invasions which normally last only a couple of days. Temperatures range from lows of 30 degrees to highs of 50 degrees. In the summer, weather is consistently hot, beginning in the low 70's and climbing to highs ranging from 80-100 degrees in the afternoon.

Phone: 6016360583

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

Stars behind the Illinois State Memorial
Illinois State Memorial · NPS Photo
Roses in bloom in front of the Shirley House
The Shirley House · NPS Photo
Park Ranger in Civil War Uniform Talks to Crowd
Ranger Programs · NPS Photo

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