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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.
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.
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.
Louisiana Circle is closed to vehicles and pedestrians due to slope instability. Navy Circle is open and also provides views of the Mississippi River.
3 experiences from the National Park Service, plus every activity offered in the park. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
This program is designed for children making a visit to Vicksburg National Military Park. Children can explore the park and learn about Vicksburg through activities of varying difficulty. The Junior…
Learn more about Become a Junior Ranger at Vicksburg National Military Park on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Learn how your pet can become a BARK Ranger!
Learn more about Become a Vicksburg BARK Ranger on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Fee applies
This orientation film plays every half hour at the park's visitor center.
Learn more about Watch Vicksburg National Military Park's Orientation Film on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)Showing 3 of 3
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Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Facility
Visitor Center and museum to the USS Cairo. Exhibits include a film, artifacts from the USS Cairo, models, and the actual USS Cairo that visitors can walk on.
Connecting Avenue, Vicksburg, MS
Facility
Inside the Visitor Center, Park Rangers are ready to answer your questions and assist with your orientation to park areas. To help ensure that their visit is safe and…
3201 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS (601) 636-0583 Directions
Today: Closed · 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.
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Thursday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Friday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Saturday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Sunday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
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.
| Monday | 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Thursday | 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Friday | 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Saturday | 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
| Sunday | 8:30AM - 5:00PM |
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.
| Monday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Thursday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Friday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Saturday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Sunday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
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.
| Monday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Wednesday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Thursday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Friday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Saturday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Sunday | 8:30AM - 4:30PM |
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.
| Monday | Sunrise to Sunset |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Wednesday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Thursday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Friday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Saturday | Sunrise to Sunset |
| Sunday | Sunrise to Sunset |
This pass admits the driver and all passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle to the park.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. The park requires all visitors to pay an entrance fee except children under 16 years of age.
Good for 7 days You are purchasing a digital site pass that is valid only for weekly entrance fees at Vicksburg National Military Park. The park requires all visitors to pay an entrance fee except children under 16 years of age. The pass covers entry for one pedestrian or cyclist.
$10 per person, not to exceed commercial group rate.
$25.00 plus $10 per passenger (not to exceed $40).
As provided by non-NPS charter tour companies.
As provided by non-NPS charter tour companies.
As provided by non-NPS charter tour companies.
Good for 12 months from the date of purchase The pass covers unlimited entry for one vehicle and passengers.
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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.
Come learn about cannons, the men on the crews, and what it took to fire the "big boom" during the Civil War. Discover some of the stories of artillerymen during the Campaign and Siege of Vicksburg.
Note: This program does not include a cannon firing demonstration.
Come out and learn what life was like for a soldier during the Civil War. See the things they carried, the food they ate, and the weapons they used. A rifled musket firing demonstration may be included as part of the program.
Discover the stories of veterans laid to rest at Vicksburg National Cemetery.
Location: Meet at Stop #8 - National Cemetery Gate
Experience the power and awe of Civil War artillery. Come listen and learn from our trained historic weapons crew as they discuss the training Civil War artillerists went through during the Civil War. Feel the blast of our 12-pound Napoleon cannon!
Discover the stories of veterans laid to rest at Vicksburg National Cemetery.
Location: Meet at Stop #8 - National Cemetery Gate
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.
Mailing address: 3201 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39183
Ask about trails, fees, weather, events, or planning your visit.
AI answers can be wrong. Check official NPS info before you go.
