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Petersburg National Battlefield: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Petersburg National Battlefield is a National Battlefield in Virginia that is part of the U.S. National Park System[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1].
Entrance fees and passes
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Petersburg National Battlefield[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.
When to visit and hours
NPS recorded its busiest month in 2025 as June, with 58,577 recreation visits[2]. The quietest month was October, with 17,343 visits[2]. NPS describes winters as cool, with temperatures averaging in the 40s[6]. Spring and fall are described as mild, and summer can be very hot and humid[6]. At the Eastern Front Unit, the visitor center is listed as open daily from 9:00 to 5:00, with closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day[7]. The tour road there closes at sunset or 8:00 pm in spring and summer, whichever is earlier, and at 5:00 pm in fall and winter[7]. The grounds at General Grant's Headquarters at City Point are listed as open in daylight hours[8]. Trails and driving tour stops at Five Forks Battlefield are listed as open daily[9].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 38,041 |
| February | 26,740 |
| March | 49,882 |
| April | 42,642 |
| May | 46,511 |
| June | 58,577 |
| July | 52,335 |
| August | 50,612 |
| September | 46,866 |
| October | 17,343 |
| November | 39,881 |
| December | 24,928 |
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, pets must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet where they are allowed[10]. They are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[10]. NPS marks pets as permitted on two of the three listed things to do, the Eastern Front Tour Road drive and the City Point walk[11]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so check with the park[10].
Before you go
- NPS lists no entrance fee, but fees and hours can change, so confirm on the official park page before you go[1].
- The park has three visitor centers or contact stations, at the Eastern Front, Five Forks and City Point[4].
- NPS lists a Junior Ranger Program among its activities[12].
- Holiday closures are listed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day at the Eastern Front and Five Forks[7][9], and for Christmas and New Year's Day at City Point[8].
Questions people ask
- Is there an entrance fee at Petersburg National Battlefield?
- NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1].
- When is the best time to visit Petersburg National Battlefield?
- In 2025 the busiest month was June and the quietest was October[2]. NPS says spring and fall are mild and summer can be very hot and humid[6].
- Are dogs allowed at Petersburg National Battlefield?
- NPS lists pets as permitted on the Eastern Front Tour Road drive and the City Point walk[11]. They must be leashed at no more than six feet or crated[10].
- What are the visitor center hours?
- The Eastern Front Visitor Center is listed as open 9:00 to 5:00 daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day[7].
Facts and sources
- NPS lists Petersburg National Battlefield as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 201,606, 2022: 180,907, 2023: 182,695, 2024: 191,623, 2025: 494,358. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 3 (Eastern Front Visitor Center, Five Forks Visitor Contact Station, General Grant's Headquarters at City Point). National Park Service
- Petersburg National Battlefield is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Battlefield) in Virginia. National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Eastern Front Tour Road and Trails: The Eastern Front Unit includes our main visitor center and a four mile, 8-stop tour road which includes the Fort Stedman and Crater battlefields. During Spring and Summer, the tour road closes at sunset... National Park Service
- Operating hours, General Grant's Headquarters at City Point: The grounds, with wayside exhibits are open during daylight hours. Listed exceptions: Closed - Christmas Day 2026-12-25 to 2026-12-25; Closed - New Years Day 2027-01-01 to 2027-01-01. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Five Forks Battlefield: The recreational trails and driving tour stops are open daily. Listed exceptions: Trails and Visitor Contact Station Closed Thanksgiving Day 2026-11-25 to 2026-11-25; Trails and Visitor Center Closed - Christmas Day... National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 3 things to do at Petersburg National Battlefield: Visit Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Drive the Eastern Front Tour Road, Walk Around City Point. Pets permitted on 2 of them (Drive the Eastern Front Tour Road, Walk Around City Point). National Park Service
- Activities NPS lists for Petersburg National Battlefield: Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Biking, Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Self-Guided Tours - Auto, Hiking, Front-Country Hiking,... National Park Service