News Release

Fort Donelson NB Is Creating Recreational Access to Park

Date: May 4, 2020
Contact: Superintendent Brian McCutchen, 931-627-2887

Dover, TN – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and in consultation with state and local public health information, Fort Donelson National Battlefield is increasing recreational access to the battlefield. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning Saturday, May 9, 2020, Fort Donelson National Battlefield will reopen access to:  

• Visitor Center and National Cemetery Parking Lots
• The main unit’s Fort Donelson Park, River Battery Loop, and Smith’s Attack Roads, as well as the west section of National Cemetery Drive will be for pedestrian use only.
• All park trails

Parking for pedestrian usage of the park will be offered at two locations - the park visitor center and the Fort Donelson National Cemetery and will be open to access from 7:00 am to 6:00pm. Parking is limited, with approximately 24 spots at the Visitor Center and 12 at the National Cemetery. Visitors are to park in in designated parking spots only.

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• Visitor Center, Restrooms, Fountain, and Picnicking
• Historic Dover Hotel and Carriage House, and Education Pavilion
• Vehicle access to the tour roads of the main Fort Donelson Unit and the west section of National Cemetery Drive
• Comfort stations at the Picnic Area, National Cemetery, and at the Fort Heiman Unit
• Picnic Area
• Lower River Battery Overlook platform and stairs
   

“Our staff is pleased that we can take this first step towards welcoming the public back to Fort Donelson National Battlefield, while ensuring we do everything necessary to enhance the safety of our visitors and employees,” said Superintendent Brian McCutchen. “We encourage visitors to bring their own water and snacks and to help us keep the park clean by taking their trash home with them. Everyone’s cooperation in following the health and safety guidance that is in place is appreciated, and we wish for those visiting the battlefield to have a wonderful and well-spaced recreational experience.”

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Fort Donelson National Battlefield, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health, using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, by taking their trash with them, practice social distancing, and avoid crowding.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.  
 

Details and updates on park operations, along with opportunities to explore our unique resources and stories, will continue to be posted on our website  (www.nps.gov/fodo) and our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/fortdonelsonnps)

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
 

www.nps.gov
 

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.