Ranger Programs at Gettysburg (U.S. National Park Service)

A park ranger gives a program to a group of people. — A park ranger leads a hike on the battlefield.
NPS Photo

Summer Ranger Programs: June 6 - August 9, 2026
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!

In the event of thunderstorm or tornado warnings, programs will be canceled.
In the event of a heat index in excess of 91 degrees, programs will be shortened and modified.
In the event of a heat index in excess of 105 degrees, all programs will be canceled.

Program cancellations or modifications will be posted on www.nps.gov/gett and on the Gettysburg National Military Park Facebook account

Free Ranger-led hikes, walks, and talks that explore key moments and locations on the Gettysburg battlefield. All programs are free and open to the public. Schedule subject to change.

Explore the Battlefield

These special Ranger-guided walks are perfect for those looking to better understand the battle and its aftermath.

Gettysburg History Hike (90 minutes)
Hike from the Museum and 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. Daily at 10 am.

Devil’s Den Hike (45 Minutes)
Join a National Park Service Ranger for a guided hike through the dramatic boulders and historic grounds of Devil’s Den. This moderate hike combines natural beauty with powerful history—perfect for visitors seeking a deeper connection to the battlefield.
Meet at the Devil’s Den Parking Area, Crawford Avenue. Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday at 2 pm.

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 Road Gate, Gettysburg National Cemetery. Daily at 11 am, 3 pm, & 5:30 pm.

The First Day of Battle (45 Minutes)
Step onto the ground where the Battle of Gettysburg began and follow the fierce, chaotic fighting of July 1, 1863. This program explores the courage, confusion, and critical decisions that turned a local clash into one of the defining battles of the Civil War.
Meet at Auto Tour Stop 2, the Eternal Light Peace Memorial. Daily at 10 am.

The Third Day and Beyond (45 Minutes)
Visit the site of Pickett’s Charge and explore the climactic moment of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Meet at the “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign, Auto Tour Stop 16, Gettysburg National Cemetery Parking Lot. Daily at 11 am & 4 pm.

Culps Hill Hike (60 Minutes)
Hike the wooded slopes of Culps 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.
Meet at the Culps Hill Tower, Slocum Avenue. Monday, Wednesday, & Friday at 2 pm.

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. Sunday through Friday at 7 pm.

Battle Walk (2 to 3 Hours)
Experience Gettysburg like never before with our Battle Walk programs, 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.
Locations vary. Please visit www.nps.gov/gett to learn more. Saturday at 10 am.

Campfire with a Ranger (60 Minutes)
Park Rangers present programs on a wide variety of topics on the Battle of Gettysburg and the American Civil War.
Programs are held at the Park Amphitheater, near Auto Tour Stop 6. Check at the Information Desk inside the Museum and Visitor Center for a complete schedule of topics or visit www.nps.gov/gett. Saturday at 8:30 pm.

Museum Programs

Explore all there is to do at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center.

Civil War Soldier (30 Minutes)
Step into the ranks and experience the Civil War through the eyes of the soldiers who marched, fought, and endured. This program explores the daily realities, hardships, and hopes of the average soldier who carried the war on his shoulders.
Meet at Ranger Program Site 1, Museum and Visitor Center. Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday at 2 pm.

Care of the Wounded (40 Minutes)
Follow the wounded from battlefield to aid station and discover how Gettysburg became a vast, desperate hospital after the guns fell silent. This program explores the courage, suffering, and sacrifice of soldiers, surgeons, nurses, and civilians caught in the battle’s devastating aftermath.
Meet at Ranger Program Site 1, Museum and Visitor Center. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday at 2 pm.

Cannoneers to Your Post (20 Minutes)
Feel the pressure of serving in a Civil War artillery battery at Gettysburg. Visitors will step into the role of artillerymen and discover how speed, precision, teamwork, and nerve could decide the fate of a battlefield.
Meet at Ranger Program Site 1, Museum and Visitor Center. Daily at 10:30 am & 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 Museum and Visitor Center Information Desk for more information.

Join the Army (40 minutes)
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. Sign up at the Museum and Visitor Center Information Desk.
Meet at Ranger Program Site 1, Museum and Visitor Center. Friday, Saturday, & Sunday at 11 am.

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 Museum and Visitor Center Information Desk, between 8 am and 5 pm daily.

Pets are allowed on the battlefield grounds. Pets must be on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed indoors or inside the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

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.

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.

Last updated: May 19, 2026

Contact Us

Explore the Battlefield

Museum Programs

Family Programs