vicksburg | LA | Find park

The Union artillery played a major role in the outcome of the Vicksburg Campaign.

Stars behind the Illinois State Memorial

Stars gleam behind the Illinois State Memorial.

Roses in bloom in front of the Shirley House, the only remaining Civil War structure in the park.

Park Ranger in Civil War Uniform Talks to Crowd

A park ranger in a Union Civil War uniform talks to a crowd of visitors.

Physical Address:

3201 Clay Street

Vicksburg, MS 39183

Mailing Address:

3201 Clay Street

Vicksburg, MS 39183

contact-details

Phone Number: 6016360583 Voice
Phone Number: 6016369497 Fax

Email Address: Vick_Interpretation@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $20.00

This pass admits the driver and all passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle to the park.

Entrance - Motorcycle: $15.00

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 motorcycle and passenger.

Entrance - Per Person: $10.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park: $35.00

Good for 12 months from the date of purchase The pass covers unlimited entry for one vehicle and passengers.

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.

park designation:National Military Park

Directions:

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating 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.

Exceptions:

Christmas Eve Day - Park Closed (December 24, 2024 - December 24, 2024)

Christmas Day - Park Closed (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day - Park Closed (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Thanksgiving Day - Park Closed (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

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.

Exceptions:

Christmas Eve Day - Park Closed (December 24, 2024 - December 24, 2024)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Thanksgiving (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

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.

Exceptions:

Christmas Eve Day - Park Closed (December 24, 2024 - December 24, 2024)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Thanksgiving (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

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.

Exceptions:

Christmas Eve Day - Park Closed (December 24, 2024 - December 24, 2024)

Christmas (December 25, 2024 - December 25, 2024)

New Years Day (January 1, 2025 - January 1, 2025)

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 20, 2025 - January 20, 2025)

Washington's Birthday (February 17, 2025 - February 17, 2025)

Thanksgiving (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

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.

Weather Information:

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.