Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, at 111 National Park Dr in Appomattox, Virginia, preserves the site where General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865, marking the effective end of the American Civil War. The park lies approximately 90 miles from Richmond, reached in about 1.5 hours by car via US-360 West and US-460 West. No public transit connects Richmond to Appomattox; a personal or rental vehicle is required. Park entry is free, and the Visitor Center, park film, and self-guided walking tour are all accessible at no cost. The 1,700-acre park encompasses 27 original and reconstructed 19th-century buildings. The McLean House, where Lee met Grant on the afternoon of April 9, has been fully reconstructed on its original foundation and furnished to reflect the 1865 parlor scene. The Clover Hill Tavern, built in 1819, is the oldest original structure in the complex; its outbuildings include the building where Confederate soldiers signed their parole papers after the surrender. Rangers lead interpretive programs daily during peak season from spring through fall; a 15-minute orientation film in the Visitor Center provides essential context before the walking tour. The self-guided Historic Village Walking Tour covers approximately 1.5 miles through the reconstructed 1865 village center, taking 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace. The small town of Appomattox, 2 miles east of the park, has local diners for lunch. Visitors seeking a second stop on the return drive to Richmond can pair the park with Natural Bridge State Park, 40 miles north via US-501 and US-11, or with Lynchburg's Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's octagonal retreat estate 25 miles north of Appomattox.
How to get there
- Car via US-360 and US-460
Location
111 National Park Dr, Appomattox, VA 24522
37.3637, -78.8147 View on map
Highlights
- Stand in the reconstructed McLean House parlor where General Lee surrendered to General Grant on April 9, 1865
- Walk the 1.5-mile Historic Village tour through 27 original and reconstructed 19th-century buildings
- Hear National Park Service rangers deliver free interpretive Civil War history programs daily in peak season
- Visit the Clover Hill Tavern, built 1819, the oldest original structure in the park complex
- Combine with Natural Bridge State Park, 40 miles north, for a two-stop day loop from Richmond
Tips for visiting
- Park entry is free and no advance ticket is required. Rangers recommend arriving by 10:00 a.m. to catch the first daily interpretive program.
- Watch the 15-minute orientation film in the Visitor Center before starting the walking tour — it provides essential context for the surrender events.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended; the 1.5-mile Historic Village tour crosses open fields and gravel paths.
- The town of Appomattox, 2 miles east of the park, has local diners for lunch; the park has no food concession.
- Check nps.gov/apco for living-history events, which run most weekends in April and October around the surrender anniversary.
When to visit
Year-round, with spring (April) and fall (October) offering the most comfortable walking temperatures across the open historic village. April is historically resonant — the surrender occurred on April 9, 1865 — and anniversary programs draw specialized Civil War history audiences.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at Appomattox Court House?
On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant in the parlor of the McLean House, effectively ending the American Civil War. The site is preserved as a National Historical Park administered by the National Park Service.
Is there an admission fee for Appomattox Court House National Historical Park?
Entry to the park is free. The Visitor Center, orientation film, self-guided walking tour, and all outdoor historic buildings are accessible at no cost. Ranger-led interpretive programs are also free and run on a seasonal schedule from spring through fall.
How long does a visit to Appomattox Court House take?
The self-guided Historic Village Walking Tour covers approximately 1.5 miles and takes 2–3 hours, including the Visitor Center film. Visitors attending ranger programs or exploring the backcountry trail toward Lee's final lines should allow 4–5 hours total.
Can the Appomattox trip be combined with another Virginia destination?
Natural Bridge State Park is 40 miles north via US-501 and US-11, making it a practical second stop on the return drive to Richmond. Lynchburg, 25 miles north of Appomattox, offers Jefferson's Poplar Forest estate and the Anne Spencer House and Garden as additional cultural stops.