Welcome to the Shiloh Battlefield Driving Tour
Return to the site of one of the Civil War’s first major battles with this self-guided driving tour of Shiloh National Military Park! Get to know familiar figures like General Sherman before they became the seasoned veterans they are remembered as. Visit the Hornet’s Nest and Grant’s Last Line as you relive the chaos of battle with blow-by-blow narration. Discover why a single bullet fired at Shiloh may have changed the course of the entire war.
About the Tour
Your tour begins at the Shiloh Battlefield Visitor Center, where you’ll set the stage for the epic battle that unfolded across these hallowed grounds. Next, pay homage to the brave at the Iowa State Monument before you visit Grant’s Last Line, where you’ll hear of the steadfast resolve of Union troops.
As you turn onto Confederate Road, you’ll explore the critical misstep that altered the battle’s course. Then you’ll pause by the Daughters of the Confederacy Monument and learn what the rebels hoped to accomplish on this battlefield.
Next, stop by Duncan Field and hear about the courage of one of the Union regiments under fire. Continuing on, you’ll reach the Shiloh Church, where an unprepared General Sherman found himself faced with an overwhelming Confederate advance.
After that, you’ll swing by Seay Field to see the site where fighting began, then learn how Union forces were forced into a chaotic retreat by the Confederate assault. Then you’ll pass a historic artillery formation and head straight towards the infamous ‘Hornet’s Nest’, where the most intense fighting took place.
Next, pay a visit to the Confederate Burial Trench, a stark reminder of the conflict’s human cost. Then relive a dramatic Union counterattack at Jones Field before visiting the Tennessee State Memorial and the Texas State Monument.
After that, you’ll have the opportunity to step beyond the Civil War for a while and discover the Shiloh Indian Mounds, revealing the area’s ancient history.
At last, you’ll head to Pittsburg Landing to hear about the final stages of the battle and its nation-altering aftermath. The tour concludes here, near the Shiloh National Cemetery.
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Battle Of Shiloh Map
Starting Point
You can begin the tour at the suggested starting location mentioned below:
Shiloh Battlefield Visitor Center, 1055 Pittsburg Landing Rd, Shiloh, TN
Begin from the Shiloh Battlefield Visitor Center, 1055 Pittsburg Landing Rd.
How Does It Work?
- Access your tour: Download the Action Tour Guide app and sign in with the same email used for your website purchase. Your tour will appear under My Tours.
- Download your tour: Download it before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
- Start your tour: Open My Tours, select your tour, and tap Start Touring when you reach a starting point.
- Listen your way: Use your phone’s speaker or headphones, or connect to your car’s audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not currently supported, compatibility is in development.
- GPS-triggered audio: Stories play automatically as you reach each location along the route.
- Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day. Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Yes, Shiloh National Military Park is worth visiting for its historical significance, well-preserved battlefields, monuments, and educational exhibits about the American Civil War.
The time needed to tour Shiloh National Battlefield can vary depending on your interests, but visitors often spend 3 to 4 hours exploring the park’s main sites and exhibits.
Shiloh is famous for the Battle of Shiloh, which was one of the major early battles of the American Civil War, and for the historical significance of its battlefield.
Three interesting facts about the Battle of Shiloh are that it took place on April 6-7, 1862, it was a pivotal battle that determined the course of the war in the Western Theater, and it saw heavy casualties on both sides.
Major General Ulysses S. Grant and General Albert Sidney Johnston were important figures in the Battle of Shiloh. Johnston led Confederate forces, and Grant was a key Union commander.
Families can explore the battlefield together, visit the park’s visitor center and museum, participate in ranger-led programs, and enjoy picnicking and hiking in the park.
The best time to visit Shiloh National Military Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is pleasant. Avoid the hot and humid summer months for a more comfortable experience.
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Inclusions and Exclusions
Action Tour Guide app: Download the app to access your purchased tour.
GPS-triggered audio: Stories and directions play automatically as you reach each location.
Tour anytime: Your tour is available for unlimited use, anytime and any day.Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
Narrated stories: Hear local history, culture, and stories from experienced narrators.
Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day.
Offline access: Download your tour before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
Stories, stops, and directions:Follow the route to key attractions with automatic directions and stories at each location.
Transportation: Transportation, parking fees, and tolls are not included.
Admission:Entry tickets and reservations are not included.
Food and drinks: Meals and drinks are not included.
Rental car: A rental car is not included and may be required for driving tours.
