Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

How to Get There

From Fredericksburg (2 mi): Follow Lafayette Boulevard south from downtown Fredericksburg and continue directly to the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center at 1013 Lafayette Blvd, the primary visitor contact point for the park.

Overview

The Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park preserves some of the most significant and destructive battlefields of the American Civil War. Encompassing the battlefields of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House, the park tells the story of campaigns that resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and profoundly influenced the war's outcome. Visitors can explore historic roads, preserved earthworks, monuments, cemeteries, and scenic landscapes that closely resemble the terrain encountered by soldiers more than a century and a half ago. Ranger programs, interpretive exhibits, and self-guided driving tours help bring these dramatic events to life.

Spread across thousands of acres in Virginia's Piedmont region, the park offers a remarkable opportunity to experience military history within a largely intact cultural landscape. Highlights include Fredericksburg National Cemetery, Chatham Manor, the Sunken Road, Bloody Angle, and numerous battlefield trails that wind through forests, open fields, and historic locations. Throughout the seasons, visitors encounter changing scenery that adds depth to the historical experience, from spring wildflowers to colorful autumn foliage. Whether exploring for a few hours or following the full campaign trail, travelers gain a deeper understanding of the people, strategies, and sacrifices that shaped the nation's history.