fort-donelson | TN | Find park

A commanding view of the Cumberland River from the Upper Artillery Battery

The Fort Donelson National Cemetery, final resting place for Soldiers who fell in battle during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.

Quiet Afternoon overlooking the Cumberland River, Fort Donelson NB

The Dover Hotel, site of the first major Civil War surrender.

Fort Donelson National Cemetery: Final resting place for thousands of American Veterans

A view of the earthworks, where Confederate Soldiers once stood watch.

Volunteers demonstrate Field Artillery at Fort Donelson NB

Bald Eagles perch on their Nest in the battlefield

Enjoy your lunch at the Picnic Area, Fort Donelson NB

Cannon drills during the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Donelson

Volunteers of the 9th Kentucky Infantry Re-enactors demonstrate field artillery

wayside exhibit in the national cemetery

Interpreting the story of the Underground Railroad and the Free State Community

Native plants found on park trails during springtime hikes

Native flowers found on the battlefield trails

Observation Deck on the Cumberland River

A View from Fort Heiman, Kentucky overlooking Kentucky Lake

Physical Address:

174 National Cemetery Drive

PO Box 434

Dover, TN 37058

Mailing Address:

174 National Cemetery Drive

PO Box 434

Dover, TN 37058

contact-details

Phone Number: 931-232-5706 Voice

Email Address: fodo_administration@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.

park designation:National Battlefield

Directions:

The main entrance is at 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, in Dover Tennessee. It is advised to start a visitor experience here. Brochures and information are available at this location. Physical address for the park's Fort Heiman unit, in Calloway County, Kentucky: 654 Fort Heiman Road, New Concord, Kentucky. This site is not staffed daily, but exhibits and information are available for visitors.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center is open daily 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CST. Dover Hotel hours are 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CST daily. The park is closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Hours change seasonally. The park tour route is open: Spring time change to Memorial Day: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm CDT Memorial Day to Labor Day: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm CDT Labor Day to fall time change: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm CST Fall time change to spring time change: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CST

Exceptions:

Mid-March to Memorial Day (March 11, 2026 - May 29, 2026)

Memorial Day to Labor Day (May 29, 2025 - September 1, 2025)

Labor Day to Fall Time Change (September 1, 2025 - November 4, 2025)

Fall Time Change - Spring Time Change (November 7, 2025 - March 13, 2026)

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

Christmas Day (December 25, 2025 - December 25, 2025)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2026 - January 1, 2026)

Weather Information:

Fort Donelson National Battlefield traditionally experiences mild to moderate winters and hot summers with an average high of 90 degrees in the summer and 40 in winter; average lows in the winter are 30 degrees but single digits are not unusual. Rainfall in the area averages 53 inches a year with an additional 6 inches of ice/snow and violent thunderstorms can take place at any time of year.