CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS TITLE 36, CHAPTER I
VICKSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK COMPENDIUM OF DESIGNATIONS, CLOSURES, REQUEST REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED UNDER THE DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY OF THE SUPERINTENDENT In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations ("36 CFR"), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 16 United States Code, Section 3, the following regulatory provisions are established for the proper management, protection, government and public use of those portions of Vicksburg National Military Park and Vicksburg National Cemetery under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1 and section 7.43. 36 CFR. Written determinations, which explain the reasoning behind the Superintendent’s use of discretionary authority, are required by Section 1.5(c) and appear in this document in italicized print. Superintendent, Carrie Mardorf 06/11/2025 I. 36 CFR §1.5 - Visiting Hours, Public Use Limits, Closures, And Area Designations For Specific Use Or ActivitiesThe following visiting hours and public use limits are established for all or for the listed portions of the park, and the following closures are established for all or a portion of the park to all public use or to a certain use or activity: Visiting Hours Public restrooms open daily, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
8:30am- 4:30pm daily, Wednesday to Sunday. Public restrooms open daily, 8:30 am – 4:30pm.
Museum open daily, 8:30 am – 4:30pm. 8:30am – 5:00pm daily for vehicle access.
(Entrance gate closes at 4:40pm) Open sunrise - sunset for pedestrians. Closed to vehicle traffic.
Closed to vehicle traffic.
Closed to vehicle traffic.
Closed to vehicle traffic. Open sunrise – sunset for pedestrians 8:00am – 4:30pm daily, all year
8:00am – 4:30pm daily, all year
8:00am – 4:30pm daily, all year
8:00am – 4:30pm daily, all year.
Open as staffing allows.
Closed indefinitely.
Open by Appointment.
Determination: Visiting hours are established based on the availability of staff, to ensure an enjoyable and safe visitor experience, and to assure adequate protection of park resources. After hours use, nighttime activity and overnight parking create a number of impacts that would be inconsistent with the protection of park resources.
ClosuresThe park will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.Determination: This closure allows all park employees the opportunity to enjoy these holidays with their families and friends. The Superintendent may close any portion of the park and/or roadways to public access during prescribed fires, periods of ice, snow, or any other potentially hazardous conditions or emergencies. Roadways may be closed with gates, barricades, or other traffic control devices. Driving around or past these devices is prohibited. Locations Closed to Public AccessDetermination: the residences are the private domiciles of the employees. Determination: These areas are designated for NPS employees to work and contain official NPS records, tools and equipment, and Personal Identifiable Information (PPII) for the park’s daily functioning. Determination: Maintenance yards can be dangerous and are closed for visitor safety. Maintenance Parking Areas are closed to visitors due to their use by maintenance staff, deliveries, and contractors. Determination: Ranges are for law enforcement use only
Determination: These areas are for employee use only and contain sensitive archeological or cultural resources.
Determination: the lower deck of the USS Cairo is closed to prevent vandalism to the boat.
Determination: These two roads are maintained for service vehicles only; use of the roads is not necessary to reach any public facilities or park features unless detours are in effect.
Determination: This closure allows for protection of resources or for assurance of public safety during periods of unusual or unpredictable circumstance
Public Use Limits The park is closed to swimming and bathing.
Determination: It is unsafe to swim or bathe in waters within the park due to water level issues and hazardous downed trees and limbs. The park is closed to camping, except for approved living history encampments related to actual historic events that happened on the grounds of Vicksburg National Military Park that are related to slavery, Civil War, or Reconstruction or for other groups who may camp in conjunction with a park-sponsored activity.
Determination: Opportunities exist outside the park for camping. There are no designated campgrounds in the park. Infrastructure does not support campgrounds. Living history groups may camp in the park with written approval from the Superintendent during park-sponsored interpretive programs and special events supporting the park to further its mission related to the Civil War and Reconstruction. The park is closed to picnicking except in the areas designated for that purpose located on the grounds outside the USS Cairo Museum and the Rest Area located at visitor center parking lot, or at any location designed by the Superintendent as part of a special use permit.
Determination: Opportunities exist outside the park for this activity. The areas listed above provide a reasonable accommodation for those touring the park without interrupting their route. Outside of these approved areas, it would be inconsistent with the preservation and protection of resource values at hallowed battleground sites. Pedestrian use of the park tour road is restricted to the lane designated by a painted white line. Pedestrians using the tour road in sections not delineated by a white line should walk single file, and as near to the side of the road as possible.
Determination: Pedestrian use of the tour road is appropriate for enjoying park resources. The above limitations are established to ensure the safety of recreationists, as well as that of the motoring public. Motor vehicles may only stop or park in designated parking areas or in pull-outs along the roadway. No off-road operation or parking of motor vehicles is permitted.
Determination: Parking or driving off designated roadways or parking facilities can create opportunities for erosion and otherwise damage park resources. All park trails and grounds are closed to off-road bicycling, equestrian use, and motorized recreation.
Determination: Soils throughout most of the park are highly erodible. The indicated uses could result in erosion that would damage natural or cultural resources. The NPS has the responsibility to administer the licensed guide program at Vicksburg National Military Park in accordance with 36 CFR Part 25. Part 25.2 states “No person shall be permitted to offer his services or to act as a guide unless licensed for that purpose by the superintendent.” The term offering services is understood to mean in a commercial context. Therefore, the requirement to hire a Licensed Battlefield Guide for a historical tour of the battlefield at Vicksburg National Military Park is applicable only when such services are offered for a fee or in association with another commercial activity. All tours which are not commercial in nature, where park visitors are not paying either for participation in a tour or paying a tour guide (i.e. military staff rides, school groups, etc.) do not require the hiring of a Licensed Battlefield Guide. As of 2025, the Licensed Battlefield Guide program at Vicksburg operates under a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA), which creates legal requirements that protect the guides and the NPS. The Superintendent licenses the guides collectively as a group through the Vicksburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Association (LBGA), rather than issuing licenses to individual guides. The CUA and group LBGA license are processed in January each year.
Paranormal investigations and other activities that sensationalize the park’s history that interfere with or detract from the use and appreciation of the solemnity of the battlefield and siege lines are prohibited.
Determination: Activities such as those described above are inappropriate within the park due to the historic nature of park resources and the sensitive nature of park history. No filming or permits will be authorized in the following locations with the boundaries of Vicksburg National Military Park:
Geocaching is prohibited throughout the park and National Cemetery except that virtual and Earthcaching is allowed.
Determination: The entire park consists of hallowed battleground and historically significant resources. Methods of stashing items such as digging, burying, covering and otherwise concealing items are sometimes used while geocaching, and are inappropriate within these areas. Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Vicksburg National Military Park is prohibited except as approved in writing by the Superintendent.
The following restrictions and/or conditions are in effect for the specific uses or activities noted: Vicksburg National Military Park and Vicksburg National Cemetery are closed to recreational and sporting activities including, but not limited to the following: pocket motorcycles, field games, flying model airplanes or operation of other radio controlled models, rocket launching, kite flying, throwing objects through the air (Frisbees, balls, etc.), skiing, sledding and similar winter activities, and sunbathing. Prohibited activities do not include walking, hiking, jogging, running, or on-road bicycling.
Determination: Ample opportunities exist outside the park for these activities. These types of activities are inconsistent with the preservation and protection of resource values and interfere with the peace and tranquility of the landscape and are inconsistent with the reason the park was created. Engines must be shut down when parked for a period of time of more than five minutes. Determination: The idling of bus engines adds unnecessary noise and exhaust fumes to the air, thereby diminishing the peace and tranquility of the park and its enjoyment by visitors. II. 36 CFR §1.6 -Activities That Require A PermitThe following is a compilation of those activities for which a permit from the Superintendent is required: Information and applications to request a permit can be obtained at Vicksburg National Military Park during regular business hours, 8:30 am-4:30 pm. Monday to Friday. Contact us at 601-636-0583 or via the internet at www.nps.gov/vick/permits or mail addressed to Superintendent, Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay Street Vicksburg, MS 39183.
Filming / Still PhotographySome filming, still photography, and audio recording (depends upon the facts and circumstances) may require a permit. See 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2) and 54 U.S.C. 100905.
Commercial Vehicle UseUse of commercial vehicles on park area roads(The Superintendent shall issue a permit to access private lands within or adjacent to the park when access is otherwise not available).Vicksburg National CemeteryPer 36 CFR § 12.4, no demonstrations may be held in Vicksburg National Cemetery. Permits are required for disinterment of remains, for burials, and special events. Vicksburg National Cemetery is closed to new burials, except in the rare case of existing burial rights.Licensed Guide Service RegulationPer 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 25, the Superintendent of Vicksburg National Military Park is authorized to administer a Licensed Battlefield Guide program. All persons offering services or acting as a guide representing Vicksburg National Military Park will be licensed by the Superintendent. Requests for application to become a guide are managed through the Licensed Battlefield Guide Association, which operates under a commercial use authorization and group license. III. GENERAL REGULATIONS36 CFR §2.1 - PRESERVATION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Determination: Campfires are not permitted within the park except those events associated with living history demonstrations or otherwise authorized by the Superintendent.
Determination: Climbing on cannons and monuments, as well as traversing archeological or cultural resources can be unsafe and unduly affect the preservation of these features.
Determination: Limitations placed on the collection of fruits, nuts and berries are necessary to preserve resources for wildlife and encourage species growth. 36 CFR §2.2 - WILDLIFE PROTECTIONThe following areas are closed to the viewing of wildlife with the use of an artificial light:
36 CFR §2.4 - WEAPONS, TRAPS, OR NETSVisitors may possess and carry firearms within Vicksburg National Military Park and Vicksburg National Cemetery in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. Federal law prohibits firearms in certain park facilities and buildings. These places are marked with signs at public entrances. The federal facilities for Vicksburg National Military Park and Vicksburg National Cemetery are as follows:
Conditions for Weapons 36 CFR §2.10 - CAMPING and FOOD STORAGEThe park is closed to camping except under conditions as identified in “closures” above.36 CFR §2.11 – PICNICKINGThe park is closed to picnicking except in designated picnic areas at the USS Cairo Museum and visitor center. See “closures” above.36 CFR §2.13 - FIRESLighting or maintaining a fire within Vicksburg National Military Park is prohibited except:
36 CFR §2.15 - PETSPets are allowed within the park, including on park trails, as long as they are physically restrained by a leash of 6 feet in length or less. Electronic shock collars do not meet the requirements for physical restraint of a pet as required by 36 CFR § 2.15. The following additional restrictions apply:
Determination: Limitations on pets within the park are necessary to ensure a positive visitor experience for all, as well as to prevent possible resource damage that could be created by uncontrolled pets Service Animals
Determination: In October 2018, the National Park Service (NPS) issued a policy memorandum regarding the use of service animals by persons with disabilities in national parks. The revised policy aligns the NPS policy with the standards established by the Department of Justice and the Americans with Disabilities Act. 36 CFR §2.21 – SMOKINGSmoking is prohibited in and around all buildings within Vicksburg National Military Park and Vicksburg National Cemetery. This includes interior sections of monuments and memorials, as well as the USS Cairo. Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of any entrance or exit primarily accessed by the visiting public or any access where smoking would result in smoke traveling through doorways, windows, air ducts or other openings. Departmental Manual 2, Section 3 310, Chapter 11, Director’s Order #50D: 4 Smoking Policy. 36 CFR §2.35 -ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES and CONTROLLED SUBSTANCESThe following public use areas, portions of public use areas, and/or public facilities within the park are closed to consumption of alcoholic beverages, and/or to the possession of a bottle, can or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that is open, or has been opened, or whose seal has been broken or the contents of which have been partially removed:All areas of Vicksburg National Military Park and Vicksburg National Cemetery except:
36 CFR §2.38 – EXPLOSIVESUsing, possessing, storing, or transporting explosives, blasting agents or explosive materials are prohibited. Using or possessing fireworks is prohibited. Conditions for Explosives 36 CFR § 2.51 - DEMONSTRATIONSDemonstrations are allowed within park areas designated for demonstrations when the Superintendent has issued a permit for the activity. Demonstrations involving 25 persons or fewer may be held without a permit within the designated park areas noted below. Demonstrations involving more than 25 persons always require a permit, from the Chief Ranger’s office. Per federal law, no demonstrations may be held in Vicksburg National Cemetery.The following areas are designated for demonstration purposes:
36 CFR §2.62- MEMORIALIZATIONA permit is required for the scattering of ashes from cremated human remains. New monuments may be erected within Vicksburg National Military Park with authorization of the Director of the National Park Service.36 CFR §3.21 - SWIMMING AND BATHINGThe entire park is closed to swimming and bathing.Determination: It is unsafe to swim or bathe in waters within the park due to water level issues and hazardous downed trees and limbs. 36 CFR §4.11 - VEHICLE LOAD, WEIGHT AND SIZE LIMITSThe following load, weight and size limits, which are more restrictive than State law, apply to the roads indicated under the terms and conditions, and/or under permit as noted:
36 CFR §4.21 - SPEED LIMITSThe following speed limits are established for the routes/roads indicated:
36 CFR §4.30 - BICYCLESThe use of a bicycle is prohibited except on park roads and parking lots. Bicyclists using the tour road must ride in the direction of traffic flow. No bicycle shall be operated off established roadways. Bicycles are not permitted on sidewalks, monuments, or the Thayer's Approach Tunnel. Bicycles must be walked on sidewalks and must not be left unattended on a sidewalk.Electronic Bicycles
36 CFR §$5.5 FILMING, STILL PHOTOGRAPHY, AND AUDIO RECORDING
IV. 36 CFR PART 12 – NATIONAL CEMETERY REGULATIONSAny and all activities in the Vicksburg National Cemetery will be consistent with the National Cemetery policies and directives set forth in 36 CFR Part 12, DO-RM 61, and NPS Policy Memorandum 22-01.36 CFR 12.4 SPECIAL EVENTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN NATIONAL CEMETERY Conducting a special event or demonstration, whether spontaneous or organized, is prohibited in Vicksburg National Cemetery except for official commemorative events conducted for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other dates designated by the superintendent as having special historic and commemorative significance to a particular national cemetery.
Dates authorized by 36 CFR § 12.4:
In addition, the Superintendent has designated the following dates for the stated reasons: Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for several United States Colored Troops who were massacred at Ross’s Landing. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
Justification: The system of national cemeteries to honor U.S. soldiers was authorized and established on February 22, 1867. Vicksburg is one of these national cemeteries and is the final resting place for over 18,000 soldiers. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery was established on April 12, 1867, and is the final resting place for over 18,000 soldiers. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for several U.S. soldiers who lost their lives at the Battle of Port Gibson on May 1, 1863. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for several U.S. soldiers who lost their lives at the Battle of Raymond on May 12, 1863. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for several U.S. soldiers who lost their lives at the Battle of Jackson on May 14, 1863. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for several U.S. soldiers who lost their lives at the Battle of Champion Hill on May 16, 1863. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for several U.S. soldiers who lost their lives at the Battle of Big Black River on May 17, 1863. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for several United States Colored Troops who lost their lives at the Battle of Milliken’s Bend on June 7, 1863. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for several U.S. soldiers who lost their lives during the 47-day Siege of Vicksburg, which ended on July 4, 1863. Given this long struggle for freedom, it is appropriate to honor these veterans from July 1-4.
Justification: September 11 is Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance, designated to honor and commemorate the sacrifices made on 9/11 by remembering the heroes, armed forces, first responders, and countless others’ acts of service to defend our nation’s freedom. It is appropriate to honor the veterans buried in Vicksburg National Cemetery on this day.
Justification: Vicksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for several United States Colored Troops who defended the freedom of African Americans during the Vicksburg Massacres that took place on December 7, 1874. It is also the final burial ground for several U.S. soldiers who fought in World War II. It is appropriate to honor these veterans on this day.
12.10 Floral and Commemorative Tributes These specific regulations regarding flowers and commemorative tributes apply in Vicksburg National Cemetery.
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Last updated: June 18, 2025