Appomattox Court House National Historical Park in Virginia, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-23. Check linked official notices before travel.

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park preserves the Virginia village where Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. Begin at the reconstructed courthouse visitor center. Allow at least two hours for the village, exhibits, and surrender story; add time for trails or ranger programs.

Highlights of the historic village

• McLean House: see the setting of the surrender meeting, with interior access subject to the seasonal schedule.
• Courthouse visitor center: use the exhibits and 17-minute orientation film to understand the village before walking it.
• Clover Hill Tavern: learn how parole passes helped surrendered soldiers return home. Printing demonstrations run on many summer days.

Know before visiting Appomattox

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Check building hours and seasonal programs before planning around a specific interior or demonstration. Severe weather can delay opening or close the park.

Village paths, weather, and ticks

Expect gravel, dirt, grass, steps, and a climb from the parking area. Watch for slippery paths during wet or icy weather. Carry water and sun protection in summer. Stay on maintained trails to reduce tick exposure and avoid disturbing snakes.

Protect the village and landscape

Keep pets leashed and remove their waste. Use the designated picnic area. Overnight camping, digging, metal detecting, and drone flights are prohibited. Leave animals undisturbed and do not feed them.

Special visits and permits

Contact park staff before arranging a wedding, organized special event, or activity that needs reserved space. These activities may require a permit. The permit guidance separates special uses from ordinary photography; a permit requirement should not be assumed for every camera.

Find the visitor center and historic village

Use 111 National Park Drive, Appomattox, Virginia, for the visitor center. The historic village is separate from the modern town of Appomattox. After parking, walk uphill to the reconstructed courthouse in the village center. The park's P.O. box is a mailing address.

Nearby state parks

Holliday Lake State Park, at 2759 State Park Road near Appomattox, and James River State Park, at 104 Green Hill Drive near Gladstone, are separate road-accessible options. Check each park's access notices for road detours or management closures before adding it to your day.

Explore the surrender and its aftermath

Start with the film and exhibits, then walk to the McLean House and other village buildings. A ranger talk can help connect the military surrender to emancipation and the uncertainty that followed. The surrender here concerned Lee's army; it did not end every Civil War campaign on that day.

Hiking trails and driving pullouts extend the visit into the surrounding landscape. Choose these after the village if you have more time, rather than leaving the main historic stops until closing.

Visitor services and accessibility

The park provides a visitor center, museum exhibits, theater, and park store. Historic buildings have significant access limits. The route from parking climbs about 100 yards on uneven surfaces. Upstairs courthouse exhibits are reached by stairs; a photo album and first-floor film viewing offer alternatives.

Loan wheelchairs are available at the visitor center on a first-come basis. Gravel and dirt can make their use strenuous. Consult the building and route accessibility information for specific needs.

About Appomattox Court House

A village at a turning point

The National Park Service preserves a former stage-road town, its reconstructed buildings, and its wider historic landscape. Lee and Grant met in the McLean House parlor, rather than the courthouse. The original courthouse burned in 1892; its 1964 reconstruction now houses the visitor center. Interpretation also addresses emancipation, local residents, and the transition after surrender.

Fields and forest habitats

Woodland and field habitats support mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish typical of central Virginia. Park surveys have recorded five-lined skinks and woodchucks. Watch from the paths without treating an animal sighting as part of a guaranteed itinerary.

Contact the historical park

Call 434-694-8904 for visit questions. Mailing address: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, P.O. Box 218, Appomattox, VA 24522. Use the National Park Drive address for arrival. The NPS visit overview is a useful starting point for planning.