The park's phone number has temporarily changed. Please call 434-694-8904.

Temporary Number Change

On April 9, 1865, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in the McLean House in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia signaled the effective end of the nation's largest war. Questions remained: could the nation reunite as one? How would emancipation be realized?

A brick two story home with white pillars and railings.

McLean House

Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road

Printing Press

Appomattox Court House

The park is open daily from 9-5, with the exception of certain holidays: Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. The park may have reduced hours (9-3) on December 24.

Closed Thanksgiving Day

Reduced Hours December 24

Closed December 25

Closed January 1

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Guided Tours

A man in a 1860s soldier uniform talks to visitors.

Living History

At Appomattox Court House visitors have opportunities to participate in living history talks and ranger lead talks. A living history talk is presented by a staff member who portrays a person who actually lived during 1865 and shares with visitors what he or she experienced around the time of the surrender. While giving talks and between talks the individuals will not break character, so do not ask questions referring to anything that occurred after that time. These talks are typically from April-October.

These talks are typically from April-October.

A living history talk is presented by a staff member who portrays a person who actually lived during 1865 and shares with visitors what he or she experienced around the time of the surrender. These talks are typically from April-October.

Enslavement

Military

Battlefields

Infantry and Militia

Wars and Conflicts

Civil War

A ranger stands in front of a seated crowd.

Ranger Talk

Ranger talks are scheduled on most days from April through September. The ranger discusses the history of the village, what led up to the surrender, what happened during the week of April 9 thru April 12,1865 and various other topics. Most of these talks are held in a shady part of the park and last around 30-40 minutes. The talks are held most days, depending upon staffing.

Ranger talks are scheduled on most days from April through September.

Ranger Talks

Artillery

Cavalry

Abolition Movement

Hiking

Lace up a pair of sturdy shoes and take a walk in the park! Park trails are for hikers only--no bicycles, motor vehicles, or horses permitted. See below for a description of each trail. <h4>Stage Road Trail</h4> Parking: Main Visitor Center/Historic Village Lot Hours Open: 9:00-5:00 daily Distance: 0.9 miles (one way) Walking Time: 30 minutes Rating: Easy Trail follows the route of the historic Lynchburg-Richmond Stage Road from the Confederate Cemetery to the Appomattox River and passes through the historic village. Trial surface is even and wide. There is a long slope with a 100 foot elevation change between the Salute Site and the Appomattox River. The trail is generally open with little shade. <h4>Grant's Approach Trail</h4> Parking: North Carolina Monument Parking Lot Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset Distance: 1.4 miles (loop) Walking Time: 45 minutes Rating: Easy Starting at the North Carolina Monument parking lot, this loop trail access the North Carolina Monument and Raine Monument and intersects with the Southside Connector Trail. A portion of the trail follows the historic Sears Lane which General Grant traveled on his way to meet with General Lee. Trail tread is generally even and wide with a gentle grade. The trail is mostly wooded. <h4>Southside Connector Trail</h4> Parking: Either North Carolina Monument Parking Lot or Lee's Headquarters Parking Lot Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset Distance: 2.4 miles (one way) Walking Time: 1.5 hours Rating: Moderate This trail links Grant's Approach Trail and Tobacco Prizery Nature Trail. Most of the trail is wide with even tread, however, sections of trail starting at the Appomattox River are narrow and rocky with uneven tread. Rolling hills along the trail have a cumulative elevation change of approximately 350 feet. Teh trail crosses over River Ridge Road (vehicles have the right of way). Sections of trail may be flooded during high water events. Do not attempt to cross any section of trail when flooded. There are two short sets of stairs and a low plan walkway along the trail. The trail is wooded. <h4>Tobacco Prizery Nature Trail</h4> Parking: Lee's Headquarters Parking Lot Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset Distance: 1.2 miles (loop) Walking Time: 40 minutes Rating: Easy This interpretive loop trail identifies trees and tells the story of changing land uses. Trail tread is generally level and wide with a gentle grade. A short section of trail is uneven and has two short sets of stairs with no handrails. The trail is mostly wooded. The trail intersects with the Southside Connector Trail near the Appomattox River. <h4>Lee's Headquarters Trail</h4> Parking: Lee's Headquarters Parking Lot Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset Distance: 0.3 miles (loop) Walking Time: 10 minutes Rating: Easy This short hike provides access to the marker denoting the location of Lee's Headquarters. The trail is wooded and somewhat narrow. Tread is generally even but watch for some roots and rocks. <h4>Sweeney Trail</h4> Parking: Appomattox River Wayside Pull Off South Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset Distance: 1 mile (one way) Walking Time: 30 minutes Rating: Easy Starting at the Appomattox River, the trail travels through fields to the historic Charles Sweeney Cabin and the Conner House site. Trail tread is generally even. There is a long, gentle slope between the Sweeney Cabin and Conner House site. The trail is open with little shade. <h4>Ferguson Wildlife Trail</h4> Parking: Appomattox River Wayside Pull Off South Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset Distance: 0.9 mile (loop) Walking Time: 30 minutes Rating: Easy This loop trail branches from the Sweeney Trail at the Sweeney Cemetery. The trail follows along the forest edge of the Ferguson field, which is planted in native grasses. A brochure is available at the trail head and provides information on some of the more commonly seen wildlife. Trail has some slopes, and the tread can be uneven in some areas. There is little shade at midday. <h4>Conner-Sweeney Cabin Trail</h4> Parking: Appomattox River Wayside Pull Off South Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset Distance: 0.5 miles (one way) Walking Time: 15 minutes Rating: Easy This trail passes through forest and fields and provides a view of the Conner-Sweeney Cabin. A 0.8 mile loop is possible with the north end of the Sweeney Trail. Trail has a gentle grade, and the tread is generally even. Trail passes through two fields managed for wildlife and native pollinator habitat. Some of the trail is wooded.

Choose trails in length from 0.3 miles to a longer half-day hike by stringing multiple trails together.

A gold grassy path cuts between rows of evergreen trees with a pink redbud tree in the foreground.

Spring on Park Trails

Park trails wind throughout the park property, with trails accessible from the main parking area and most other parking lots. See the park's <a href="https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/upload/trail-map2018-front.jpg">Hiking Trail Map</a> to locate trailheads.

The story of Appomattox Court House goes beyond the historic village and the McLean House! Hike park trails to walk in the footsteps of soldiers during the Battle of Appomattox Court House, see the historic Sweeney family property, where Joel Sweeney grew up and learned to play the banjo before he made it a phenomenon, and discover more about the natural landscape of central Virginia.

All pets must remain on a leash at all times.

Appomattox Court House NHP offers nearly eight miles of trails for hiking and exploring!

Alert: Temporary Number Change: The park's phone number has temporarily changed. Please call 434-694-8904.

Appomattox Court House

Overview

Hours

Fees & Passes

Map

Things To Do

Category

Living History

Description

Ranger Talks

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Hiking at Appomattox Court House

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