Graves of Union soldiers who died at Andersonville Prison, Andersonville National Historic Site
PARK OVERVIEW
Andersonville National Historic Site is located in Andersonville, Georgia, a rural town in south Georgia. The park preserves the most infamous of all Civil War prison camps, Camp Sumter, today known as Andersonville Prison. Nearly 13,000 Union prisoners died from starvation, disease, and exposure to the elements during the camp’s 14 months of operation from February 1864 until the end of the war in April 1865.
The park consists of a Visitor Center and massive POW Museum, a museum dedicated to prisoners of all American wars, not just the Civil War. Visitors are free to self-explore the prison site on foot or by car, or attend a Ranger-guided tour of the upper portion of the prison camp on select days. Partial reconstructions of the fort walls and original entrance gate are located on the grounds of the former prison, as well as a variety of memorials to those who died. The Andersonville National Cemetery is also open to the public. It is here that many of those who died at the prison are buried. The cemetery is still operational and will intern qualifying persons until the land is full.
OPERATING HOURS
The Andersonville National Historic Site Visitor Center and National Prisoner of Museum are open daily from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM except when closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The prison grounds are open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM except when closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Andersonville National Cemetery is open from 8 AM to 5 PM every day.
Times can always change, so before making travel plans, be sure to check the National Park Service’s Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the park.
FEES
There is no fee to enter or tour Andersonville National Historic Site. Donations are always welcome.
SCHEDULING YOUR VISIT
Visitor Center
allow 1 hour
National Prisoner of War Museum
allow 1-3 hours
Touring the Prison Site
allow 1-1.5 hours
Andersonville National Cemetery
allow 1 hour
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on September 12, 2023
