Tips for Touring the Battlefields of Gettysburg

Gettysburg National Military Park is situated in the picturesque countryside of south central Pennsylvania. It was at this location that the defining battle of the Civil War was fought during the first three days of July in 1863. The events that transpired there forever changed both the course of the war and the path of the nation. For anyone interested in learning more about this important part of American history, a visit to the park is highly recommended.

Gettysburg National Military Park encompasses 23 square miles of battlefields and houses 1,400 monuments. With so many things to see spread across so much ground, any visit to the park should begin with a trip to the visitor center and museum. The museum, which requires a fee to tour it, is a great way to learn about both the history of the battle and the lay of the land. The visitor center is helpful in planning the type of battlefield tour that you may desire to take, for there are a number of different ways to see the all the historic sites.

Self-guided Auto Tour

The visitor center has free maps available for those who wish to take a self-guided auto tour of the park. The self-guided tour covers 24 miles of roads and includes 16 numbered stops at various sites throughout both the park and the historic city of Gettysburg itself. The park stops follow the course of the three-day battle in chronological order. Most stops contain exhibits and tablets that provide a written description of significant events. The self-guided tour allows visitors the ability to pick and choose which sites to visit. If you desire a little more guidance for this tour, you can purchase a CD from the visitor center that tells you the important facts about each site. It is suggested to allow for a minimum of three hours to complete the whole tour.

Licensed Battlefield Guided Tour

For those seeking a higher level of tour guidance, for a fee you can hire a licensed battlefield tour guide at the visitor center. The guide will accompany you on a two-hour private tour of the park in your car. This service is offered seasonally, so make sure to call ahead of time for its availability and to make reservations in advance of your visit.

Bus Tour

Another guided option for touring the park is a commercial bus tour. Tickets are available for purchase at the visitor center. The bus tour lasts about two hours is lead by a licensed battlefield tour guide. The number of bus tours given daily varies by the season, ranging from two per day in the spring to a maximum of six per day in the summer. A schedule and ticket prices are available from the visitor center website.

Walking Tour

A walking tour is another great way to see the park. While you will not be able to cover as much ground, this option will give you the opportunity to experience the land in that same manner as the Civil War soldiers did all those years ago. A brochure is available from the visitor center that contains a map of all the designated trails and pathways in the park.

Biking Tour

Bicycles are allowed in the park, and are a great way to take a more leisurely tour of the sites. Because bicycles are not allowed on earthen trails and pathways, however, this type of tour is limited to the routes of the paved roads. The same map that is used in the self-guided auto tour can be used for the bicycle tour.

Horseback Riding Tour

Horseback riding is allowed on designated trails in the park. Horse trailer parking is available onsite for those who bring their own horses. Commercial companies also offer horseback rides through the park. The Gettysburg Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau has more information for those who are interested in this option.

Important Park Rules

Finally, no matter which touring option you choose, there are some important rules to remember as you make your way through the park:

- Backpacks and handbags are not allowed in the visitor center for safety reasons.

- The historic sites, structures, exhibits, plants, animals, and minerals must be left undisturbed.

- Relic hunting is not allowed and the possession of metal detectors within the park is prohibited.

- Picnics are permitted in designated areas only.

- Pets are permitted in the park, but are not permitted in the Soldiers' National Cemetery and the visitor
center. Pets must be leashed and attended to at all times.
- Photography (without flash) is allowed in the museum.