Fort Donelson National Battlefield

National Battlefield · Kentucky, Tennessee

NPS

📍 StateKentucky, Tennessee

🏛️ TypeNational Battlefield

🎟️ EntryFree

🏃 Activities8

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Historic site in Kentucky and Tennessee, US

Fort Donelson National Battlefield preserves Fort Donelson and Fort Heiman, two sites of the American Civil War Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign, in which Union Army Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant and Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote captured three Confederate forts and opened two rivers, the Tennessee River and the Cumberland River, to control by the Union Navy. The commanders received national recognition for their victories in February 1862, as they were the first major Union successes of the war. The capture of Fort Donelson and its garrison by the Union led to the capture of Tennessee's capital and industrial center, Nashville, which remained in Union hands from February 25, 1862, until the end of the war, and gave the Union effective control over much of Tennessee. This struck a major blow to the Confederacy early in the war.

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About Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.

Park Photos

Activities

Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Auto Hiking Junior Ranger Program Park Film Museum Exhibits

Operating Hours

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center is open daily 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CST. Dover Hotel hours are 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CST daily. The park is closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Hours change seasonally. The park tour route is open: Spring time change to Memorial Day: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm CDT Memorial Day to Labor Day: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm CDT Labor Day to fall time change: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm CST Fall time change to spring time change: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm CST

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
8:00AM - 4:30PM	8:00AM - 4:30PM	8:00AM - 4:30PM	8:00AM - 4:30PM	8:00AM - 4:30PM	8:00AM - 4:30PM	8:00AM - 4:30PM

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Fort Donelson National Battlefield?

Fort Donelson National Battlefield is free to enter.

What are the best activities at Fort Donelson National Battlefield?

Popular activities at Fort Donelson National Battlefield include: Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Auto, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Park Film, Museum Exhibits.

What is the weather like at Fort Donelson National Battlefield?

Fort Donelson National Battlefield traditionally experiences mild to moderate winters and hot summers with an average high of 90 degrees in the summer and 40 in winter; average lows in the winter are 30 degrees but single digits are not unusual. Rainfall in the area averages 53 inches a year with an additional 6 inches of ice/snow and violent thunderstorms can take place at any time of year.

How do I get to Fort Donelson National Battlefield?

The main entrance is at 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, in Dover Tennessee. It is advised to start a visitor experience here. Brochures and information are available at this location. Physical address for the park's Fort Heiman unit, in Calloway County, Kentucky: 654 Fort Heiman Road, New Concord, Kentucky. This site is not staffed daily, but exhibits and information are available for visitors.