Fort Donelson National Battlefield


Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.

The main entrance is located at 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, in Dover Tennessee. It is advised to start a visitor experience here. Brochures and information are available at this location. Physical address for the park's Fort Heiman unit, in Calloway County, Kentucky: 682 Fort Heiman Road, New Concord, Kentucky. This site is not staffed daily, but exhibits and information are available for visitors.

  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits

  • Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
  • National Cemetery
  • Forts
  • Military
  • Battlefields
  • Monuments and Memorials
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • Civil War

Upper River Battery

The View from the Upper River Battery

A commanding view of the Cumberland River from the Upper Artillery Battery

Fort Donelson National Cemetery

Hallowed ground.

The Fort Donelson National Cemetery, final resting place for Soldiers who fell in battle during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II.

Artillery at Fort Donelson NB

cannon overlooking river

Quiet Afternoon overlooking the Cumberland River, Fort Donelson NB

The Dover Hotel

Historic hotel

The Dover Hotel, site of the first major Civil War surrender.

Fort Donelson National Cemetery

cemetery gate

Fort Donelson National Cemetery: Final resting place for thousands of American Veterans

Earthworks

Confederate earthworks.

A view of the earthworks, where Confederate Soldiers once stood watch.

Volunteer Cannon Demonstration

cannon and costumed volunteers

Volunteers demonstrate Field Artillery at Fort Donelson NB

Bald eagles in nest

bald eagles nesting

Bald Eagles perch on their Nest in the battlefield

Picnic Area

picnic tables

Enjoy your lunch at the Picnic Area, Fort Donelson NB

Field Artillery Demonstration

Cannon drills during the 154th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Donelson

Volunteers of the 9th Kentucky Infantry Re-enactors demonstrate field artillery

Waysides interpret the history of the Free State

wayside exhibit in the national cemetery

Interpreting the story of the Underground Railroad and the Free State Community

Spring flowers on the trails

early spring native flowers

Native plants found on park trails during springtime hikes

Native Plants

native plants found in the park

Native flowers found on the battlefield trails

Artillery Batteries at Fort Donelson NB

Cannons on Lower River Battery

Observation Deck on the Cumberland River