Fort Donelson National Battlefield Park

On February 16, 1862 the Union Army in Tennessee, under the command of Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant, won its first major victory of the Civil War. The proposed terms of  "Unconditional Surrender" were accepted by the defeated confederates. The capture of Fort Donelson and approximately 13,000 confederate soldiers delivered a devastating blow to the Confederacy, and the defeat set the stage for the Union's invasion of the deep south. The victory propelled Brigadier General Grant into national prominence, favoritism of Abraham Lincoln and eventual command of the Union Army.

The 536-acre National Battlefield includes: Fort Donelson National Cemetery (established in 1867), visitor center, the Dover Hotel (Surrender House), and Fort Donelson with associated earthen rifle pits and river cannon batteries. Today, approximately 20% of the core battlefield is within the park.Visitation:
The largest number of visitors is in July and the lowest is in December and January.

Operating Hours, Seasons:
Visitor Center: Daily, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; closed December 25.
Dover Hotel (Surrender House): June-September: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Closed October-May.

Climate, Recommended Clothing:
Summers are hot and humid with an average high of 86 degrees. Winter temperatures are variable, averaging a low of 33 degrees, but may drop well below freezing with occasional snow/ice.

Fee, Costs, Rates:
Free admission: donations accepted at the visitor center or by mail.

Reservation, Permits:
Reservations are required for a group guided battlefield tour. Guided tours must meet established criteria (i.e., educational) before scheduling. Attempt to make reservations at least four weeks before the visit. Permits are required for various events including wedding ceremonies, religious services, and commercial photography. To request a permit, applicants should contact the Superintendent at (615) 232-5348, FAX: (615) 232-6331, or write to park headquarters.

Basic Visit Recommendations:
Set aside two hours for a visit to Fort Donelson. Additional time should be considered if the visit will include walks/hikes, picnics etc.

Accessibility:
The park visitor center information, auditorium, museum, and restroom are accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs. A captioned version of the slide program is available upon request.

Visitor Opportunities

Visitor Center, Exhibits:

• Exhibits on the Battle of Fort Donelson
• Audio/Visual Slide Program depicting the Battle of Fort Donelson
• The brochure for a self-guided auto tour of the Battlefield
• Cassette Tape for a self-guided auto tour of the Battlefield

Dover Hotel (Surrender House)
This is the historic building (adaptive restoration) where the confederate general Simon B. Buckner surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant.

Fort Donelson National Cemetery
The cemetery is the 1867 burial site for the Union soldiers killed at Fort Donelson. Now inactive, the site is the burial place of American veterans representing seven wars.

Trails:
Five miles of trails are available for walking/hiking at Fort Donelson Battlefield. There are several short foot trails along the auto tour route. Bikes are not permitted on the trails.

Program Activities:
During the summer season of June to August, park staff conduct a variety of interpretive programs at the visitor center. Costume/Living History demonstrations are conducted daily during summer.

Lodging, Camping:
Overnight facilities are not available within Fort Donelson Battlefield. Lodging may be found in the towns of Dover, Paris, and Clarksville. Camping is available at nearby state, private and federal campgrounds.

Food/supplies:
Restaurants, grocery stores and fuel stations can be found within the Dover area.

Recommended Activities, Park Use:
Begin your visit at the Fort Donelson visitor center. Tour the park by auto; use the brochure as a guide and consider an optional cassette tour tape. Attend park programs and presentations. Hike the park trails. Talk with the uniformed rangers if you have questions, concerns, or need help. Ask about other Federal, State, and local attractions within the area. Plan on a return visit.

Special Events, Programs:
Occasionally, special living history encampments are conducted during the year. For special event information, call or write the park.

Visitor Impacts:
Providing for an enjoyable park experience is paramount with the National Park Service; however, the park must not compromise preservation of the cultural and natural resources. Follow the regulations and help preserve the resources for the future.

• Walking or climbing on earthworks, cannon, monuments, and rock walls within the battlefield is prohibited.
  
• The possession of metal detectors and/or the digging for artifacts, is prohibited. Build fires only as permitted.

Adjacent Visitor Attractions:
A number of federal, state and private attractions are within five miles of the park. For example:

• Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge
• Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
• Barkley Lake and Kentucky Lake recreational opportunities

Directions

The location of Fort Donelson National Battlefield is off Highway 79 in rural Dover, Tennessee. The park is approximately ninety miles west of Nashville and/or thirty miles west of Clarksville, TN.

To visit the Park: U.S. 79 passes through Dover, TN. From East: 1-40, I-65,1-24, U.S. 79; From North: I-4,U.S.49,U.S.79; From West: 1-40,45-E,U.S.79. Nashville is served by a commercial airport that is ninety miles east of the Battlefield.

P.O. Box 434
Dover, Tennessee 37058-0434
(615) 232-5706