National Battlefield

Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Fort Donelson National Battlefield is a National Battlefield in Kentucky, Tennessee. The NPS currently lists 1 active alert, 0 campgrounds and 1 visitor center, and no entrance fee.

Kentucky Tennessee National Battlefield No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

The View from the Upper River Battery — Upper River Battery · Photo: NPS (via nps.gov)

About the park

“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.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/fodo

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

1 active NPS alert as of Oct 28, 2026: 0 closures, 0 danger, 0 caution and 1 information.

Information

Fort Donelson NB Park Fall Hours

Visitor Access to Fort Donelson NB Park Lands: Pedestrian Access is from sunrise to sunset. Automobile Access to Fort Donelson NB Park Roads 8:00 am – 6:00 p.m. daily.

Posted or updated Sep 6, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

Fort Donelson NB Autotour Route

An excellent way to understand the historic site include the self-guided auto tour.

30-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Scenic Driving

dog with leash on grass and clouds — Photo: NPS/moe

Hike the Trails at Fort Donelson NB

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the historic site by hiking the park trails. You may see migratory birds, bald eagles, and lovely native wildflowers. Lovely views of the Cumberland River/Barkley Lake may be seen as well.

45-90 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Hiking

lawn with headstones and flagpole in cemetery — Photo: NPS

Stop by the Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center

Visitor Center

15-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Museum Exhibits

See all 7 things to do in Fort Donelson →

Activities the NPS lists for Fort Donelson.

Auto and ATVScenic DrivingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingJunior Ranger ProgramPark FilmMuseum Exhibits

Operating hours

Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center is open daily 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CST. Dover Hotel hours are 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CST daily. The park is closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Day	Hours
Monday	8:00AM - 4:30PM
Tuesday	8:00AM - 4:30PM
Wednesday	8:00AM - 4:30PM
Thursday	8:00AM - 4:30PM
Friday	8:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday	8:00AM - 4:30PM
Sunday	8:00AM - 4:30PM

Weather: Fort Donelson National Battlefield traditionally experiences mild to moderate winters and hot summers with an average high of 90 degrees in the summer and 40 in winter; average lows in the winter are 30 degrees but…

Contact and directions

Phone: 931-232-5706
Email: [email protected]
Address: 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, Dover, TN 37058
Coordinates: 36.4902, -87.9245· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Fort Donelson Visitor Center	Daily: 8:30AM - 4:00PM	9312325706 ext. 0	Yes

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in Kentucky

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area Camp Nelson National Monument Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Mammoth Cave National Park Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail All in Kentucky

Nearest other NPS sites

Stones River National Battlefield TN
Shiloh National Military Park TN, MS
Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN
Mammoth Cave National Park KY
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial IN
Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site MS

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/fodo/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.