Last updated: December 22, 2020
Thing to Do
Hiking at Appomattox Court House
NPS/Hindsley
The story of Appomattox Court House goes beyond the historic village and the McLean House! Hike park trails to walk in the footsteps of soldiers during the Battle of Appomattox Court House, see the historic Sweeney family property, where Joel Sweeney grew up and learned to play the banjo before he made it a phenomenon, and discover more about the natural landscape of central Virginia.
Details
Duration
10-240 Minutes
Choose trails in length from 0.3 miles to a longer half-day hike by stringing multiple trails together.
Activity
Hiking
Lace up a pair of sturdy shoes and take a walk in the park!
Park trails are for hikers only--no bicycles, motor vehicles, or horses permitted. See below for a description of each trail.
Hours Open: 9:00-5:00 daily
Distance: 0.9 miles (one way)
Walking Time: 30 minutes
Rating: Easy
Trail follows the route of the historic Lynchburg-Richmond Stage Road from the Confederate Cemetery to the Appomattox River and passes through the historic village. Trial surface is even and wide. There is a long slope with a 100 foot elevation change between the Salute Site and the Appomattox River. The trail is generally open with little shade.
Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 1.4 miles (loop)
Walking Time: 45 minutes
Rating: Easy
Starting at the North Carolina Monument parking lot, this loop trail access the North Carolina Monument and Raine Monument and intersects with the Southside Connector Trail. A portion of the trail follows the historic Sears Lane which General Grant traveled on his way to meet with General Lee. Trail tread is generally even and wide with a gentle grade. The trail is mostly wooded.
Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 2.4 miles (one way)
Walking Time: 1.5 hours
Rating: Moderate
This trail links Grant's Approach Trail and Tobacco Prizery Nature Trail. Most of the trail is wide with even tread, however, sections of trail starting at the Appomattox River are narrow and rocky with uneven tread. Rolling hills along the trail have a cumulative elevation change of approximately 350 feet. Teh trail crosses over River Ridge Road (vehicles have the right of way). Sections of trail may be flooded during high water events. Do not attempt to cross any section of trail when flooded. There are two short sets of stairs and a low plan walkway along the trail. The trail is wooded.
Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 1.2 miles (loop)
Walking Time: 40 minutes
Rating: Easy
This interpretive loop trail identifies trees and tells the story of changing land uses. Trail tread is generally level and wide with a gentle grade. A short section of trail is uneven and has two short sets of stairs with no handrails. The trail is mostly wooded. The trail intersects with the Southside Connector Trail near the Appomattox River.
Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 0.3 miles (loop)
Walking Time: 10 minutes
Rating: Easy
This short hike provides access to the marker denoting the location of Lee's Headquarters. The trail is wooded and somewhat narrow. Tread is generally even but watch for some roots and rocks.
Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 1 mile (one way)
Walking Time: 30 minutes
Rating: Easy
Starting at the Appomattox River, the trail travels through fields to the historic Charles Sweeney Cabin and the Conner House site. Trail tread is generally even. There is a long, gentle slope between the Sweeney Cabin and Conner House site. The trail is open with little shade.
Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 0.9 mile (loop)
Walking Time: 30 minutes
Rating: Easy
This loop trail branches from the Sweeney Trail at the Sweeney Cemetery. The trail follows along the forest edge of the Ferguson field, which is planted in native grasses. A brochure is available at the trail head and provides information on some of the more commonly seen wildlife. Trail has some slopes, and the tread can be uneven in some areas. There is little shade at midday.
Hours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 0.5 miles (one way)
Walking Time: 15 minutes
Rating: Easy
This trail passes through forest and fields and provides a view of the Conner-Sweeney Cabin. A 0.8 mile loop is possible with the north end of the Sweeney Trail. Trail has a gentle grade, and the tread is generally even. Trail passes through two fields managed for wildlife and native pollinator habitat. Some of the trail is wooded.
Park trails are for hikers only--no bicycles, motor vehicles, or horses permitted. See below for a description of each trail.
Stage Road Trail
Parking: Main Visitor Center/Historic Village LotHours Open: 9:00-5:00 daily
Distance: 0.9 miles (one way)
Walking Time: 30 minutes
Rating: Easy
Trail follows the route of the historic Lynchburg-Richmond Stage Road from the Confederate Cemetery to the Appomattox River and passes through the historic village. Trial surface is even and wide. There is a long slope with a 100 foot elevation change between the Salute Site and the Appomattox River. The trail is generally open with little shade.
Grant's Approach Trail
Parking: North Carolina Monument Parking LotHours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 1.4 miles (loop)
Walking Time: 45 minutes
Rating: Easy
Starting at the North Carolina Monument parking lot, this loop trail access the North Carolina Monument and Raine Monument and intersects with the Southside Connector Trail. A portion of the trail follows the historic Sears Lane which General Grant traveled on his way to meet with General Lee. Trail tread is generally even and wide with a gentle grade. The trail is mostly wooded.
Southside Connector Trail
Parking: Either North Carolina Monument Parking Lot or Lee's Headquarters Parking LotHours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 2.4 miles (one way)
Walking Time: 1.5 hours
Rating: Moderate
This trail links Grant's Approach Trail and Tobacco Prizery Nature Trail. Most of the trail is wide with even tread, however, sections of trail starting at the Appomattox River are narrow and rocky with uneven tread. Rolling hills along the trail have a cumulative elevation change of approximately 350 feet. Teh trail crosses over River Ridge Road (vehicles have the right of way). Sections of trail may be flooded during high water events. Do not attempt to cross any section of trail when flooded. There are two short sets of stairs and a low plan walkway along the trail. The trail is wooded.
Tobacco Prizery Nature Trail
Parking: Lee's Headquarters Parking LotHours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 1.2 miles (loop)
Walking Time: 40 minutes
Rating: Easy
This interpretive loop trail identifies trees and tells the story of changing land uses. Trail tread is generally level and wide with a gentle grade. A short section of trail is uneven and has two short sets of stairs with no handrails. The trail is mostly wooded. The trail intersects with the Southside Connector Trail near the Appomattox River.
Lee's Headquarters Trail
Parking: Lee's Headquarters Parking LotHours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 0.3 miles (loop)
Walking Time: 10 minutes
Rating: Easy
This short hike provides access to the marker denoting the location of Lee's Headquarters. The trail is wooded and somewhat narrow. Tread is generally even but watch for some roots and rocks.
Sweeney Trail
Parking: Appomattox River Wayside Pull Off SouthHours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 1 mile (one way)
Walking Time: 30 minutes
Rating: Easy
Starting at the Appomattox River, the trail travels through fields to the historic Charles Sweeney Cabin and the Conner House site. Trail tread is generally even. There is a long, gentle slope between the Sweeney Cabin and Conner House site. The trail is open with little shade.
Ferguson Wildlife Trail
Parking: Appomattox River Wayside Pull Off SouthHours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 0.9 mile (loop)
Walking Time: 30 minutes
Rating: Easy
This loop trail branches from the Sweeney Trail at the Sweeney Cemetery. The trail follows along the forest edge of the Ferguson field, which is planted in native grasses. A brochure is available at the trail head and provides information on some of the more commonly seen wildlife. Trail has some slopes, and the tread can be uneven in some areas. There is little shade at midday.
Conner-Sweeney Cabin Trail
Parking: Appomattox River Wayside Pull Off SouthHours Open: Sunrise to Sunset
Distance: 0.5 miles (one way)
Walking Time: 15 minutes
Rating: Easy
This trail passes through forest and fields and provides a view of the Conner-Sweeney Cabin. A 0.8 mile loop is possible with the north end of the Sweeney Trail. Trail has a gentle grade, and the tread is generally even. Trail passes through two fields managed for wildlife and native pollinator habitat. Some of the trail is wooded.
Age(s)
Open to all ages!
Pets Allowed
Yes
All pets must remain on a leash at all times.
Activity Fee
No
No fee
Reservations
No
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information
Stage Road Trail, 0.9 miles (one way): Trail surface is gravel, even, and wide. There is a long slope wtih a 100-foot elevation change between the Salute Site and the Appomattox River. An all-terrain wheelchair is available to borrow at the park visitor center, in the middle of this trail and just up slope from the parking area.
Grant's Approach Trail. 1.4 miles (loop): Trail tread is generally even and wide with a gentle grade. Trail surface is dirt and grass, with leaf cover and tree roots.
Southside Connector Trail, 2.4 miles (one way): Most of the trail is wide with an even tread, however, sections of trail starting at the Appomattox River are narrow, rocky, and steep with uneven tread. Rolling hills along the trail have a cumulative elevation change of approximately 350 feet. There are two short sets of stairs and a low plank walkway along the trail.
Tobacco Prizery Trail, 1.2 miles (loop): Trail tread is generally level and wide with a gentle grade. Trail surface is dirt and grass. A short section of trail is uneven and has two short sets of stairs with no handrails.
Lee's Headquarters Trail, 0.3 miles (loop): Dirt and grass trail is wooded, narrow, and has an uphill grade. Tread is generally even, but watch for some roots and rocks.
Sweeney Trail, 1 mile (one way): Dirt and grass trail tread is generally even. There is a long, gentle slope between the Sweeney Cabin and Conner House site.
Ferguson Wildlife Trail, 0.9 mile (loop): Trail has some slopes and the dirt and grass surface can be uneven in some areas.
Conner-Sweeney Cabin Trail, 0.5 mile (one way): Trail has a gentle grade, and the tread is generally even. Trail surface is mostly grassy.
Grant's Approach Trail. 1.4 miles (loop): Trail tread is generally even and wide with a gentle grade. Trail surface is dirt and grass, with leaf cover and tree roots.
Southside Connector Trail, 2.4 miles (one way): Most of the trail is wide with an even tread, however, sections of trail starting at the Appomattox River are narrow, rocky, and steep with uneven tread. Rolling hills along the trail have a cumulative elevation change of approximately 350 feet. There are two short sets of stairs and a low plank walkway along the trail.
Tobacco Prizery Trail, 1.2 miles (loop): Trail tread is generally level and wide with a gentle grade. Trail surface is dirt and grass. A short section of trail is uneven and has two short sets of stairs with no handrails.
Lee's Headquarters Trail, 0.3 miles (loop): Dirt and grass trail is wooded, narrow, and has an uphill grade. Tread is generally even, but watch for some roots and rocks.
Sweeney Trail, 1 mile (one way): Dirt and grass trail tread is generally even. There is a long, gentle slope between the Sweeney Cabin and Conner House site.
Ferguson Wildlife Trail, 0.9 mile (loop): Trail has some slopes and the dirt and grass surface can be uneven in some areas.
Conner-Sweeney Cabin Trail, 0.5 mile (one way): Trail has a gentle grade, and the tread is generally even. Trail surface is mostly grassy.