Andersonville National Historic Site

How to Get There

From Columbus, GA (65 mi): Take US-280 E to GA-49 N, then follow signs to Andersonville and turn onto Cemetery Road to reach the site.

Overview

The Andersonville National Historic Site in Georgia preserves the legacy of one of the most infamous Civil War prison camps—Camp Sumter—where nearly 13,000 Union soldiers perished due to overcrowding, disease, and starvation. Today, the site serves as a solemn reminder of the cost of war and the resilience of the human spirit. Visitors can explore the preserved prison grounds, walk the perimeter of the original stockade, and view reconstructed earthworks that once guarded the camp. The site also includes the National Prisoner of War Museum, which honors all American POWs from the Revolutionary War to the present through powerful exhibits and personal stories.

The park also encompasses the Andersonville National Cemetery, where veterans continue to be buried alongside Civil War dead. The cemetery’s rows of white headstones and commemorative monuments offer a place for reflection and remembrance. With free admission and year-round access, the site is a meaningful destination for history enthusiasts, educators, and families. Whether you're tracing Civil War history or honoring the sacrifices of American service members, Andersonville offers a deeply moving and educational experience.

Things to Do

Visit the National Prisoner of War Museum

The National Prisoner of War Museum is the centerpiece of Andersonville National Historic Site and serves as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, oral histories, and personal accounts from prisoners of war spanning the Civil War through modern conflicts. Introductory films help provide context for both the Andersonville story and the broader history of American POW experiences.

Tour the Historic Andersonville Prison Site

Walk the grounds of Camp Sumter, the largest Confederate military prison during the Civil War. Interpretive exhibits, reconstructed sections of the stockade, earthworks, and monuments help visitors understand the conditions endured by more than 45,000 Union soldiers who were imprisoned here between 1864 and 1865.

Explore Andersonville National Cemetery

The Andersonville National Cemetery is the final resting place of nearly 13,000 Union prisoners who died while confined at the prison. The cemetery remains active today and contains more than 21,000 interments, honoring veterans from numerous American conflicts. Walking through the cemetery offers an opportunity for reflection and remembrance.

Take the Self-Guided Audio Tour

Visitors can obtain a self-guided audio tour from the museum and follow the route around the prison site and cemetery. The tour provides historical interpretation and insights into the experiences of prisoners, guards, and veterans buried within the national cemetery.

Attend Ranger Programs and Living History Demonstrations

Throughout the year, park rangers and living historians offer interpretive programs, guided tours, and demonstrations that bring the history of Andersonville to life. These programs provide deeper insights into Civil War prison life, military history, and the experiences of prisoners of war.

Top Trails and Walks

Historic Prison Site Walking Route

Length: Approximately 1 mile or more depending on exploration
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This self-guided walking route takes visitors through the historic prison grounds, passing reconstructed stockade sections, monuments, and interpretive exhibits. Along the way, visitors gain a firsthand understanding of the scale of the prison and the hardships faced by those confined here.

Andersonville National Cemetery Walking Route

Length: Variable distances available
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

Visitors can stroll through the cemetery's historic sections while viewing monuments, memorials, and rows of graves that document the sacrifices of American service members from the Civil War to the present day. The peaceful setting encourages reflection and appreciation of the site's national significance.

Sources: National Park Service official Andersonville National Historic Site information, including details about the National Prisoner of War Museum, Camp Sumter prison site, Andersonville National Cemetery, visitor activities, guided programs, and self-guided tours. https://www.nps.gov/ande/planyourvisit/things2do.htm Additional visitor information, operating hours, and site descriptions verified through the National Park Service Plan Your Visit page and Explore Georgia tourism resources. https://www.nps.gov/ande/planyourvisit/index.htm https://exploregeorgia.org/andersonville/history-heritage/civil-war/andersonville-national-historic-site

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Andersonville National Historic Site, which are released under the https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.