Last updated: July 16, 2025
Thing to Do
Ranger Programs at Gettysburg
NPS Photo
Summer Ranger Programs take place daily from July 4 to August 3, 2025
All Ranger Programs are free.
Do you know what day or days you'll be here? Visit our Calendar page and plan what programs will be presented here at Gettysburg National Military Park. Don't forget to check out the Calendar for Eisenhower National Historic Site too!
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In the event of thunderstorm or tornado warnings, programs will be canceled.
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In the event of a heat index in excess of 91 degrees, programs will be shortened and modified.
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In the event of a heat index in excess of 105 degrees, all programs will be canceled.
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Program cancellations or modifications will be posted on www.nps.gov/gett and on the Gettysburg National Military Park Facebook account
Gettysburg History Hike (90 minutes)
Meet at Ranger Program Site 1, Museum and Visitor Center.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 10 am.
Hike from the Visitor Center to Cemetery Ridge, where fighting raged on July 2 and 3, 1863. Get an overview of the battle, visit the site of Pickett’s Charge, explore the Bloody Angle, and walk in the footsteps of the men who struggled there.
Devil's Den Hike (45 minutes)
Meet at the Devil’s Den Parking Area, Sickles Avenue.
Thursday, Friday at 10 am.
Join a National Park Service Ranger for a guided hike through the dramatic boulders and historic grounds of Devil’s Den on the Gettysburg battlefield. This moderate hike combines natural beauty with powerful history—perfect for visitors seeking a deeper connection to the battlefield.
Battlewalk (2 hours)
Click here for full schedule.
Saturday at 10 am.
Experience Gettysburg like never before with our Battle Walk programs—free, in-depth guided tours led by National Park Service Rangers. These 2-3 hour hikes take you across the actual ground where key moments of the 1863 battle unfolded. Learn about the soldiers, strategies, and significance of the Civil War’s most pivotal fight, all while exploring the landscape that shaped the outcome.
Join the Army (60 minutes)
Saturday, Sunday at 11 am.
Attention! Recruits are needed to enlist in the Union army! Join now and learn what it meant to be a soldier during the Civil War. This program is for children ages 5-13 only and held at Ranger Program Site 1, outside of the Museum and Visitor Center. Sign up at the Visitor Center information desk.
Little Round Top Hike (60 minutes)
Meet at the gathering area on the far (northern) end of the Little Round Top parking lot.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 11 am.
For over an hour on July 2, 1863, Union and Confederate troops battled for control of this small hill. Explore the rocky summit, see original Union breastworks, and discover why Little Round Top was so important to both sides.
National Cemetery Tour (45 minutes)
Meet inside the Taneytown Road Gate, Gettysburg National Cemetery.
Everyday at 11 am, 3 pm, and 5:30 pm.
Visit the site of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and explore the Soldiers’ National Cemetery where over 3,000 United States soldiers killed in the battle were laid to rest.
Culp's Hill Hike (60 minutes)
Meet at the Culp’s Hill Tower, Slocum Ave.
Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.
Hike the wooded slopes of Culp’s Hill where the most sustained fighting of the battle took place and Union and Confederate forces battled for its control on both July 2 and 3, 1863.
The Third Day of Battle and Beyond (45 minutes)
Meet at the "Ranger Program" sign in the National Cemetery parking lot between Taneytown Road and Steinwehr Avenue.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 4 pm.
Learn what happened during "Pickett's Charge" on July 3, 1863 and discover what its outcome meant for the Union and Confederacy.
Evening Campfire (60 minutes)
Programs take place at the Pitzer Woods Amphitheater, near Auto Tour Stop #6.
Friday at 8:30 pm
Rangers present evening campfire talks on a wide variety of topics on the Battle of Gettysburg and the American Civil War.
Click here for full schedule.
Fall Ranger Programs take place from August 8 to October 26, 2025
Gettysburg History Hike (90 minutes)
Hike from the Visitor Center to Cemetery Ridge, where fighting raged on July 2 and 3, 1863. Get an overview of the battle, visit the site of Pickett’s Charge, explore the Bloody Angle, and walk in the footsteps of the men who struggled there.
Meet at Ranger Program Site 1, Museum and Visitor Center.
Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays at 10 am.
National Cemetery Tour (45 minutes)
Visit the site of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and explore the Soldiers’ National Cemetery where over 3,500 Union soldiers killed in the battle were laid to rest.
Meet inside the Taneytown Gate, Gettysburg National Cemetery.
Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays at 11 am.
Little Round Top Hike (60 Minutes)
For over an hour on July 2, 1863, Union and Confederate troops battled for control of this small hill. Explore the rocky summit, see original Union breastworks, and discover why Little Round Top was so important to both sides.
Meet at the gathering area on the far (northern) end of the Little Round Top parking lot.
Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays at 1 pm.
The Third Day and Beyond (45 Minutes)
Learn what happened during "Pickett's Charge" on July 3, 1863 and discover what its outcome meant for the Union and Confederacy.
Meet at the "Ranger Program" sign in the National Cemetery parking lot between Taneytown Road and Steinwehr Avenue.
Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays at 4 pm.
Family Programs
While all programs are family-friendly, these have been specifically developed for families & children.
Hands on History Cart
Look for our themed Hands on History Carts where visitors of all ages can meet a Park Ranger or Educator to explore some of the people and stories of the Battle of Gettysburg with hands-on replicas and original artifacts from the American Civil War.
Find the cart in the Museum and Visitor Center.
Times and days vary. Check at the Visitor Center Information Desk for more information.
Junior Ranger Program (Self Directed)
Discover the history of Gettysburg National Military Park through the Junior Ranger Program, a project for our young visitors to have fun while they learn about the importance and history that is Gettysburg.
Get a booklet and materials at the Information Desk in the Museum and Visitor Center, between 8 am–5 pm daily.
Details
Duration
30-120 Minutes
Activity
Guided Tours
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pets are allowed on the battlefield grounds. Pets are not allowed indoors or inside the National Cemetery.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Outdoor ranger-guided programs are offered in the warm weather months in the spring, summer, and fall. Indoor programs are offered monthly in January, February, and March.
Dates, times, and topics are all subject to change.
Dates, times, and topics are all subject to change.
Accessibility Information
Indoor winter programs are physically accessible.
Outdoor spring, summer, and fall programs range in accessibility levels. Some are fully accessible, others are stationary under a tent, while others are rugged and lengthy hikes or walks.
It is our goal to work with park visitors to ensure everyone has a positive experience visiting Gettysburg. Please contact the park for information about specific programs or to request any accommodations you or a member of your party may need.
Outdoor spring, summer, and fall programs range in accessibility levels. Some are fully accessible, others are stationary under a tent, while others are rugged and lengthy hikes or walks.
It is our goal to work with park visitors to ensure everyone has a positive experience visiting Gettysburg. Please contact the park for information about specific programs or to request any accommodations you or a member of your party may need.