Welcome to the Vicksburg Battlefield Tour
Bring history to life with this self-guided Vicksburg Battlefield driving tour, where Union and Confederate forces fought for control of the Mississippi River. Explore the battlefield and its powerful memorials as you hear about General Grant’s march on Vicksburg, the Confederate resistance, and the bloody Siege of Vicksburg itself. Revisit tales of bravery, strategy, and grit with dramatic blow-by-blow accounts of the struggle and its nation-altering aftermath.
About the Tour
Your expedition through Vicksburg National Military Park commences outside the Visitor Center near the northern entrance. As you delve deeper into the park, the weight of the American Civil War surrounds you. You’ll pass monuments like the Minnesota and Iowa Monuments, each telling tales of the soldiers hailing from these states. Along the way, you’ll hear about the leadup to this titanic struggle, as General Ulysses S. Grant marched inevitably toward Vicksburg.
You’ll hear accounts of the Battles of Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post, then stop at the historic Shirley House, the only wartime structure remaining in the park. Next, relive the fiery bombardment of the Grand Gulf and learn about the crucial role of Black soldiers in the Civil War. Then continue on to the awe-inspiring Ulysses S. Grant Memorial.
From there, you’ll head to the Vicksburg National Cemetery, which serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. Rows upon rows of tombstones represent Union soldiers who gave their all. The cemetery’s tranquility contrasts sharply with the ongoing narrative of Grant’s campaign, as you revisit the battles of Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill, and the Big Black River Bridge.
As the route steers you towards Confederate Ave, you’ll encounter Stockade Redan and absorb the story of the daring first and second assaults on the Vicksburg defenses. With each turn, there’s another monument or marker, like the Missouri State Memorial and the Louisiana Memorial, each adding a unique look at the participants in this sprawling siege.
The final segments of your journey dive into the climax of the siege, the surrender, and the eventual aftermath and significance of this battle. Your expedition concludes just down the street from the Visitor Center where it began.
Note: North Union Avenue and National Cemetery are closed to vehicular traffic. For more info on road closures, please refer to the official NPS website.
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Know Before You Go
Road Closure updates:
- Illinois Memorial: Closed for restoration since September 16, 2025.
- Tour Stops in our tour (Shirley House & Logan’s Approach): Closing March 2, 2026, through approximately September 2026.
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Where To Start?
For Best Experience, We recommend starting from : Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good Wi-Fi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Vicksburg Battlefield Audio Tour
Things to do on the Tour Include:
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Vicksburg Battlefield
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Memorial Arch
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Minnesota Memorial
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Lowa Monument
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Michigan Memorial
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Battery DeGolyer
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Battles of Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post
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Illinois Memorial
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Shirley House
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Logan's Approach
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Grant’s Big Dig
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West Virginia Monument
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Bombardment of Grand Gulf
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African American Monument
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Grant Memorial
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Bruinsburg Crossing
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John C. Pemberton
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Volunteer Infantry Regiment Monument
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Battle of Port Gibson
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U.S. Navy Monument
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Vicksburg National Cemetery
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Grant's Army Pushes Inland
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Fort Hill
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The Flood of 1876
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Battles of Raymond and Jackson
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Battle of Champion Hill
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Battle of Big Black River Bridge
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Stockade Redan and the First Assault
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The Missouri Memorial
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Vicksburg Defenses
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Louisiana Memorial
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Mississippi Monument
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Siege of Vicksburg
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Battle of Milliken's Bend
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Railroad Redoubt
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Alabama Monument
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Citizens During the Siege
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Fort Garrott
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Surrender
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Kentucky Monument
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Aftermath
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Visitors often spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the park, but those with a deeper interest in Civil War history may spend a full day.
Vicksburg is famous for its pivotal role in the American Civil War as the site of the Siege of Vicksburg, a 47-day siege that ultimately led to the surrender of Confederate forces and the Union’s control of the Mississippi River.
Yes, Vicksburg National Military Park is worth visiting for its historical significance, well-preserved battlefields, monuments, and educational exhibits about the American Civil War.
Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the Battle of Vicksburg and the Siege of Vicksburg, two critical events during the American Civil War that had a significant impact on the course of the war.
It is estimated that thousands of soldiers, both Union and Confederate, died during the Battle of Vicksburg and the subsequent siege. Exact casualty numbers vary by source.
The Battle of Vicksburg was notable for its strategic importance. The Union victory at Vicksburg gave them control of the Mississippi River, effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.
Vicksburg is often referred to as the “Gibraltar of the Confederacy” due to its formidable defenses and strategic location on the Mississippi River.
Vicksburg and Gettysburg were both critical battles in the Civil War, but Vicksburg’s importance lay in its strategic control of the Mississippi River.
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or Wi-Fi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, get travel tips, hear narrated guides, and see hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
