Petersburg National Battlefield

Confederate Battery V was stormed on June 15, 1864 during the Union Army's opening attack on Petersburg.
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces cut off supplies to both Petersburg and the Confederate capital, Richmond. Today, the park preserves the sites of this pivotal campaign.
Map showing location of park.
Tweleve man wearing US Civil War infantry uniforms stand in formations in front of a large shrub.
Fall 2025 Living History Events at Petersburg National Battlefield
Living history programs are scheduled in September and October at both the Eastern Front Visitor Center and Grant's Headquarters at City Point.
Four men wearing Confederate uniforms perform a Cannon Demonstration.
2025 Program Schedule for the Battle of the Crater Anniversary
Schedule for Battle of the Crater Anniversary event on July 26,2025.
Erosion craved out a section under a road approximately 3 feet deep.
Eastern Front Tour Road Closed South of Route 36
The Eastern Front tour road is closed to vehicles due to erosion damage from recent storms.
A single lane road lined by trees with green, yellow, and orange leaves.
Petersburg National Battlefield to begin road repairs next month
Petersburg National Battlefield has scheduled road work to begin in August 2025. This work will address serious sinkholes, preserve pavement and restripe roads and parking lots.
Living historians dressed in confederate uniforms demonstrate firing a cannon.
Battle of the Crater 161st Anniversary
Saturday 26, 2025 - Free programs and tours commemorating the 161st Anniversary of the Battle of the Crater.
Plantation home prior to the War. U.S. Quartermaster Headquarters during the Siege.
Photo by NPS Photo
Snow covered cannon overlooking the Crater Battlefield
Photo by NPS Photo / Aaron Rowland
Pictured is the front of the brick visitor center under a cloudless blue sky.
Photo by NPS
Earthworks covered in green grass.
Photo by NPS