Begin your visit at the Visitor Center to view a ten minute audiovisual slide program about the Battle of Fort Donelson and browse through the Eastern National book store and gift shop. The Visitor Center also includes a museum featuring artifacts from the battle period. Rangers are available if you have questions about the park or its programs.

Visitor Center:

Exhibits on the Battle of Fort Donelson
Audiovisual slide program depicting the Battle of Fort Donelson
Fort Donelson brochure featuring self-guided auto tour map of the battlefield
Eastern National book store and gift shop

Dover Hotel (Surrender House):

Confederate General Simon B. Buckner surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at the Dover Hotel located at this site. The existing building is a reconstruction of the original.

Fort Donelson National Cemetery:

Established in 1867, the cemetery is the final resting place for Union soldiers and other American veterans representing seven wars. Fort Donelson National Cemetery is now inactive.

Trails (Trail map available at Visitor Center):

The Fort Donelson trail system consists of the Donelson Trail (3.1 miles) and the River Circle Trail (1.9 miles). An optional Cemetery Spur Trail (1.3 miles) increases the length of the Donelson Trail to 5.7 miles. The Donelson Trail begins and ends at the Visitor Center. The River Circle Trail begins and ends at the Lower River Battery. Trails are not handicapped accessible.  No bicycles, motorcycles, or ATV's are allowed on trails.  Pets must be on leash.

Program Activities:

During the summer season, June to August, park staff conduct a variety of interpretive programs throughout the park. Schedule available in the Visitor Center.

Lodging/Camping:

Overnight facilities are not available within Fort Donelson National Battlefield.  Lodging may be found in the towns of Dover, Paris, and Clarksville. Camping is available at nearby state, private, and federal campgrounds.

Food/Supplies:

Restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations are located in the town of Dover.

Accessibility:

The park Visitor Center, auditorium, museum, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible.  Picnic area restrooms are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.

Reservations/Permits:

Reservations are required for guided group tours.  Groups requesting guided tours must meet established criteria (i.e., educational) before scheduling.  Reservations should be coordinated a minimum of four weeks in advance, through the interpretive service staff. Special use permits are required for various events including wedding ceremonies, religious services, and commercial photography.  To request a permit, applicants should contact the Superintendent by phone at (931) 232-5348, by fax at (931) 232-6331, or by writing park headquarters.

Special Events/Programs:

Special living history encampments are conducted at the park on an occasional basis.  For special events information, call or write the park.

Visitor Impacts:

Providing visitors with an enjoyable park experience is paramount with the National Park Service; in so doing, however, the park must not compromise the preservation of cultural and natural resources.  Follow park regulations to help preserve the resources for the future.

• Walking or climbing on earthworks, cannons, monuments, and rock walls within the battlefield is prohibited.
• The possession of metal detectors and/or digging for artifacts is prohibited.
• Build fires only as permitted.

Additional Information:

Please contact the Superintendent by writing Fort Donelson National Battlefield, P.O. Box 434, Dover, Tennessee 37058-0434 or by fax: (931) 232-6331.