20 Civil War Battlefields You Can Visit in 2024

The American Civil War was a pivotal moment in American history, and its battlefields are a testament to the sacrifices made by those who fought for their beliefs. In 2024, we commemorate the 160th anniversary of the battles of 1864, a year that saw some of the most crucial and brutal battles of the war. To honor this anniversary, the American Battlefield Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving these historical sites, encourages visitors to explore these battlefields and learn about the events that shaped our nation.

Here are 20 Civil War battlefields you can visit in 2024, each offering a unique perspective on the war’s impact:

1. Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg is arguably the most famous battlefield in the Civil War, where the Union Army decisively defeated the Confederate Army in July 1863. The park features over 1,600 acres of preserved battleground, monuments, and museums, offering a comprehensive look at the battle’s significance.

2. Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland

The Battle of Antietam, fought in September 1862, was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history. The battlefield is preserved as a national park, featuring walking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that tells the story of the battle and its impact.

3. Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee

The Battle of Shiloh, fought in April 1862, was a major Confederate victory. The battlefield is preserved as a national park, featuring hiking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that explores the battle’s complexities.

4. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Georgia and Tennessee

This park encompasses the battlefields of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, two important battles fought in 1863. Visitors can explore the preserved battlegrounds, view monuments, and learn about the strategies and tactics employed by both sides.

5. Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi

The Siege of Vicksburg, a 47-day battle fought in 1863, was a major Union victory. The park features a preserved battlefield, monuments, and a visitor center that details the siege’s impact on the war’s outcome.

6. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Georgia

Kennesaw Mountain saw fierce fighting in 1864 during General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. The park offers scenic views from the mountain, hiking trails, and a visitor center that explains the battle’s significance.

7. Franklin Battlefield, Tennessee

The Battle of Franklin, fought in November 1864, was a major Confederate defeat. The battlefield is preserved as a park, featuring walking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that tells the story of the battle and its aftermath.

8. Stones River National Battlefield, Tennessee

The Battle of Stones River, fought in December 1862, was a bloody and indecisive battle. The battlefield is preserved as a national park, featuring hiking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that explores the battle’s complexities.

9. Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, Kentucky

The Battle of Perryville, fought in October 1862, was a Confederate victory. The battlefield is preserved as a state historic site, featuring walking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that tells the story of the battle and its impact.

10. Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina

Fort Sumter is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in April 1861. The fort is preserved as a national monument, offering visitors a glimpse into the events that sparked the war.

11. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry was a strategic location during the Civil War, and the town was captured and recaptured several times. The park features a preserved town, a visitor center, and a museum that explores the town’s role in the war.

12. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Virginia

This park encompasses the battlefields of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, two major battles fought in 1862 and 1864. Visitors can explore the preserved battlegrounds, view monuments, and learn about the strategies and tactics employed by both sides.

13. Chancellorsville National Military Park, Virginia

The Battle of Chancellorsville, fought in May 1863, was a Confederate victory. The battlefield is preserved as a national park, featuring hiking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that explores the battle’s complexities.

14. Wilderness Battlefield, Virginia

The Battle of the Wilderness, fought in May 1864, was a brutal and bloody battle. The battlefield is preserved as a park, featuring walking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that tells the story of the battle and its aftermath.

15. Petersburg National Battlefield, Virginia

The Siege of Petersburg, a nine-month battle fought in 1864 and 1865, was a key turning point in the war. The battlefield is preserved as a national park, featuring walking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that details the siege’s impact on the war’s outcome.

16. Cold Harbor National Historical Park, Virginia

The Battle of Cold Harbor, fought in June 1864, was a Union defeat. The battlefield is preserved as a national park, featuring walking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that explores the battle’s complexities.

17. Cedar Creek Battlefield State Historical Park, Virginia

The Battle of Cedar Creek, fought in October 1864, was a Union victory. The battlefield is preserved as a state historical park, featuring walking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that tells the story of the battle and its impact.

18. Monocacy National Battlefield, Maryland

The Battle of Monocacy, fought in July 1864, was a Confederate victory. The battlefield is preserved as a national park, featuring walking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that explores the battle’s complexities.

19. Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Tennessee

The Battle of Fort Donelson, fought in February 1862, was a Union victory. The battlefield is preserved as a national park, featuring hiking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that explores the battle’s complexities.

20. Pea Ridge National Military Park, Arkansas

The Battle of Pea Ridge, fought in March 1862, was a Union victory. The battlefield is preserved as a national park, featuring hiking trails, monuments, and a visitor center that tells the story of the battle and its impact.

These are just a few of the many Civil War battlefields that you can visit in 2024. Each battlefield offers a unique opportunity to learn about the war’s history and the sacrifices made by those who fought for their beliefs. By visiting these sites, we can honor the past and ensure that the lessons of the Civil War are never forgotten.

The American Battlefield Trust offers a variety of resources for visitors, including maps, walking tours, and educational programs. Visit their website for more information about these battlefields and how you can support their preservation efforts.