Park Hours (Today)
9:00AM - Sunset
Eastern Front Visitor Center: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
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About the Park
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces cut off supplies to both Petersburg and the Confederate capital, Richmond. Today, the park preserves the sites of this pivotal campaign.
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What to See & Do
Visit Poplar Grove National Cemetery
Walk around Poplar Grove National Cemetery and reflect on the tragedy that befell the United States during the Civil War. Each simple headstone is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.
Drive the Eastern Front Tour Road
The Eastern Front Tour Road is 4-miles, one-way, and has eight stops encompassing the first couple months of General Grant's assault on Petersburg in 1864.
Walk Around City Point
Walk around City Point to explore why this area was, and still is, a popular place for living along the rivers. The Eppes family established the Appomattox plantation and their home here as early as 1635, until 1976. In 1864, General Grant and the U.S. Army used City Point as its headquarters to supply the army during the Petersburg Campaign.
Self-Guided Tours
History of Poplar Grove National Cemetery
A walking tour covering the Poplar Grove National Cemetery. This tour stays on the paved surface. Starting with the fourth stop benches are available for rest and contemplation. Round trip the distance walked is approximately one quarter of a mile. Start in the parking lot at the eastern end of the center grass median (near to the cemetery).
City Point Audio Walking Tour
Walk around City Point to explore why this area was, and still is, a popular place for living along the rivers. The Eppes family established the Appomattox plantation and their home here as early as 1635, until 1976. In 1864, General Grant and the U.S. Army used City Point as its headquarters to supply the army during the Petersburg Campaign.
Eastern Front Audio Driving and Walking Tour
This four-mile driving tour of the Eastern Front has eight stops and some short, interpretive walking trails. The initial assaults that failed to capture the city and the encounters that followed shaped the siege’s history on the Eastern Front. Soldiers along this front suffered in trenches under constant artillery and rifle fire in lines only yards and sometimes feet apart. Nowhere else along the siege lines were the opposing armies this close.
Visitor Centers
Eastern Front Visitor Center
The Eastern Front Visitor Center is the park's main visitor center, including museum, gift shop, and 18 minute video. The Visitor Center is open every day. Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Visitor Center is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Five Forks Visitor Contact Station
Contact station includes small exhibit area and 12-minute video.
General Grant's Headquarters at City Point
Station is located in the former plantation home of the Eppes Family. When open, visitors can view a 15 minute video and tour the first floor of the home including a room with interpretive exhibits and two rooms with original 18th and 19th century furniture that belonged to the Eppes Family. Exhibits focus on the Union Army's occupation of City Point, as well as the lives of the free and enslaved people who lived on the plantation before the war.
Parking & Access
Getting Here
The Eastern Front (Main) Visitor Center is located approximately 2.5 miles east of Rt. 95 off of Route 36 in Petersburg. If travelling north on Rt. 95, take exit 50D and follow signs to Wythe Street. Once on Wythe Street, travel 2.5 miles east to entrance of Battlefield. If travelling south on Rt. 95, take Exit 52 (Wythe Street). Again, travel about 2.5 miles to entrance.
Official NPS directionsParking Lots
City Point Parking Lot
Large paved parking area for access to General Grant's Headquarters, the Eppes family home and dependencies, and the Appomattox River.
Open in MapsGetting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
The Eastern Front (Main) Visitor Center is located approximately 2.5 miles east of Rt. 95 off of Route 36 in Petersburg. If travelling north on Rt. 95, take exit 50D and follow signs to Wythe Street. Once on Wythe Street, travel 2.5 miles east to entrance of Battlefield. If travelling south on Rt. 95, take Exit 52 (Wythe Street). Again, travel about 2.5 miles to entrance.
Park Amenities
Operating Hours
Eastern Front Tour Road and Trails
The Eastern Front Unit includes our main visitor center and a four mile, 8-stop tour road which includes the Fort Stedman and Crater battlefields. During Spring and Summer, the tour road closes at sunset or 8:00 pm (whichever is earlier). In the Fall and Winter, the tour road closes at 5:00pm. The Visitor Center is open from 9:00 - 5:00 pm daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day when the park is closed.
- Monday9:00AM - Sunset
- Tuesday9:00AM - Sunset
- Wednesday9:00AM - Sunset
- Thursday9:00AM - Sunset
- Friday9:00AM - Sunset
- Saturday9:00AM - Sunset
- Sunday9:00AM - Sunset
Photos
Earthworks covered in green grass.
Small American flags flutter in front of white marble headstones.
An arbor stands 20 feet in front of a two story white house with a red shingled roof.
Five men in Confederate uniforms fire a cannon.
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
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