Vicksburg National Military Park

The hilly setting for this park marks the scene of a bloody siege in 1863. Lasting for 47 days, the Battle of Vicksburg was the turning point for the Civil War. The park stretches across 1,800 acres and holds an astonishing 1,300 plus monuments.

Start your visit at the visitors' center by watching the 20-minute film and studying the map display. Take a self-guided car tour calling a cell phone number at each stop to get information. During the summer months, guided ranger tours help you find your way through the park and learn more about the siege. You can call ahead to organize a private tour with an expert guide.

Biking and hiking trails through the park range from three to six-mile loops. There is also a more challenging Al Scheller Hiking Trail through the park's interior. This truly gives you an idea of what the soldiers had to face during the siege of Vicksburg. You need basic orienteering skills to follow the whole route.

The park opens to pedestrians from sunrise to sunset and to vehicles from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pay an entry fee at a booth or the visitor center. There are restrooms at the visitor center which opens 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. It's closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. You can get also water in the parking lot which is handy on hot summer days.

There's a good selection of small, primitive and larger campgrounds nearby.