Fort Donelson National Battlefield

09/23/2026

JOIN US FOR MUSIC BESIDE THE RIVER
Cumberland Winds Brass Quintet
Performing at the Fort Donelson River Batteries

Date: Saturday, September 26
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Tour Stop 4 — River Batteries

Celebrate your national parks and all public lands for a combined observance of Freedom250 and National Public Lands Day with an evening of music along the Cumberland River!

The Cumberland Winds Brass Quintet returns to Fort Donelson National Battlefield to perform Civil War-era music—including “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”—along with selections from the ensemble’s traditional brass-quintet repertoire.

Experience sounds familiar to soldiers and civilians of the 1860s while enjoying one of the park’s most scenic and historic landscapes.

This free, family-friendly program will take place outdoors. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating and water to stay hydrated.

Join us for an evening of music, history, and community at the River Batteries!

For more information call the Fort Donelson NB Ranger Office at 931-232-5706.

Image credit:
Brass Quintet - Courtesy of the Cumberland Winds Orchestra
River Batteries and Cumberland River - Courtesy of the National Park Service.

09/22/2026

Temporary Parking and Traffic Changes

To separate visitor parking from the planned expansion of the construction staging area for the Fort Donelson National Battlefield Visitor Center rehabilitation, the park will restripe portions of the parking lot and temporarily change its traffic flow.

Beginning Tuesday, September 22, visitors entering or leaving the main Visitor Center parking lot at 120 Fort Donelson Park Road must use the existing exit at the north end of the lot, immediately beyond the park’s flagpole and traffic island.

This access point will temporarily serve as both the entrance and exit and will be striped for two-way traffic. Please follow all posted signs and pavement markings and use caution when entering or leaving the lot.

The regular parking-lot entrance will be closed to support the ongoing Visitor Center rehabilitation. The interim Visitor Center will remain open in the same parking lot as the main Visitor Center.

Please be aware:

• The south end of the main parking lot will be closed, reducing the number of available spaces.
• RVs, trailers, and other large vehicles will have difficulty maneuvering or parking in the main lot.
• The oversized-vehicle and bus parking area will remain open and unchanged. It is located parallel to the traffic island and flagpole along Fort Donelson Park Road. Drivers should follow the existing bus-parking signs.

Rangers at the interim Visitor Center are available to assist visitors with questions and directions.

Thank you for your patience and caution during this temporary traffic and parking change as improvements continue at Fort Donelson National Battlefield.

Image courtesy NPS

09/22/2026

NOTICE:

Access to visitor services, exhibits, and park information will resume at the park’s interim visitor center, 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, at the north end of the main parking lot, Tuesday, September 22.

The facility is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm for visitor access and enjoyment.

Credit: NPS Photo

09/11/2026

WEEKEND PROGRAMS AT FORT DONELSON NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD

SATURDAY, September 12th – 11:00 am

“A Swelling Volume of Sound”: The Bugler in the Civil War
Location: River Batteries (Tour Stop #4)

It may still be a little warm this weekend but come on down to the park and listen to some cool sounds of the Civil War bugler.
Buglers played an important role in the American Civil War. They issued daily directions throughout camp, provided orders on the battlefield, and helped rally troops. Buglers were often adults, but some were teenagers—and a few were even younger.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield is proud to provide an interpretive program on Civil War buglers and their use at Fort Donelson.

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SUNDAY, September 13th – 11:00 am

“This Was War in Earnest”: The 11th Illinois at Fort Donelson
Location: Tour Stop #10 (Dover Hotel, 101 Petty Street, Dover, TN)

At the height of the February 15th breakout attack, one Union regiment faced a fateful moment. If the 11th Illinois Infantry retreated, panic would ripple through the Union line. If they stood, they risked being overwhelmed. What would you do?
Follow the gripping story of these soldiers as they held their ground during one of the battle’s most dramatic moments.

Image courtesy of Library of Congress

09/11/2026

Employment Opportunity at Fort Donelson National Battlefield!

Join our team and help care for the historic landscapes, resources, and facilities of this remarkable national battlefield.

We’re hiring a Laborer (Term), WG‑5—a great opportunity for individuals who enjoy hands‑on work and contributing to the preservation of a nationally significant site.

📅 Application Window:
September 11–16, 2026 or until the applicant limit is reached.

📌 Position Details:
• Title: Laborer (Term)

• Grade: WG‑5

• Term Length: Initially 13 months, with the possibility of extension for up to 4 years

• Hiring Authority: Local Hiring Authority - open to residents within 50 miles of park headquarters

• Announcement Number: CAHT‑26‑13043295‑FUL‑KG

To learn more about duties, requirements, and to apply, visit the official USAJobs announcement:
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/884244800

Join us in preserving history—and make a difference every day!

09/05/2026

Fall Park Road Hours Begin Monday, September 7
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Beginning Monday, September 7, Fort Donelson National Battlefield will begin its fall road schedule, with park road gates closing to vehicle access daily at 6:00 p.m.

Visitors traveling by vehicle should plan to exit park roads before the gates close. Park grounds remain open until sunset for those exploring on foot.

Please plan accordingly and enjoy your visit to Fort Donelson.

Image: Main entrance to Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Credit: NPS

09/03/2026

This holiday weekend’s schedule of programs for Fort Donelson National Battlefield. All scheduled programs will take place inside the historic Dover Hotel (Tour Stop #10) located at 101 Petty Street, Dover, TN.

Saturday, September 5th

Waiting at the Landing

11:00 am Tour Stop #10 (Dover Hotel)

The night after the Battle of Fort Donelson, the three ranking Confederate generals decide the fate of their army and themselves. One will accept his fate, one will flee and one will betray the very soldiers who fought for him. How would you react to their decisions? Discuss their actions with a ranger at the Dover Hotel, headquarters of Confederate Brigadier General Simon Bolivar Buckner.

A Surgeon’s Dilemma: Life, Limb and Loss

2:00 pm Tour Stop #10 (Dover Hotel)

Join in discussion about the medical care that took place before and after the surrender on February 16, learning of the logistics, period medical procedures, and individuals who went above and beyond in their care of the wounded.

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Sunday, September 6th

“This was war in earnest”: The 11th Illinois at Fort Donelson

2:00 pm Tour Stop #10 (Dover Hotel)

At the height of the February 15th breakout attack, one Union regiment faced a fateful moment. If the 11th Illinois Infantry retreated, panic would ripple through the Union line. If they stood, they risked being overwhelmed. What would you do? Follow the gripping story of these soldiers as they held their ground during one of the battle’s most dramatic moments.

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Monday, September 7th

“The Keys to the Gateway into her own Territory”

2:00 pm Tour Stop #10 (Dover Hotel)

Join a park ranger to learn about the battle for Fort Donelson. This interactive “Battlefield in a Box” program allows visitors to join in telling the story of the battle.

Image Credit: NPS Art Collection
"The Breakout Begins" by Andy Thomas

09/03/2026

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER…
TO THE SHADE

Well, Brigadier General Summer has apparently decided not to retreat just yet.

A Heat Advisory remains in effect through 8:00 p.m. Friday, with heat index values potentially reaching 109°F around Fort Donelson.

Our hills, trails, river batteries, and historic landscapes are well worth exploring—but this is a good time to explore them at a slower pace. Bring plenty of water, take frequent breaks, find shade whenever possible, and don’t underestimate Tennessee heat and humidity.

In other words: visit the battlefield, but don’t make it a battle with the weather.

09/01/2026

NOTICE:

Visitor Center Operations Temporarily Located at the Dover Hotel
8:30 am–4:00 pm

Fort Donelson National Battlefield visitor services will be available at the historic Dover Hotel (Tour Stop 10), located at 101 Petty Street in Dover.

Visitors may meet with park rangers, receive park orientation and information, and view the park film.

The Dover Hotel will be open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm each day.

Credit: NPS Photo

08/30/2026

What inspires a Junior Ranger? For one newly sworn in ranger, the answer was simple: Ulysses S. Grant — and a determination to follow in his footsteps.

As part of National Park Week, today is all about celebrating our youngest stewards — those who explore, learn, and protect our national parks.

Recently, one of our newly minted Junior Rangers shared that their favorite U.S. president is Ulysses S. Grant. They admired Grant’s steady resolve, his calm under pressure, and his determination throughout challenging moments of his life. Motivated by that same spirit, this young ranger set an ambitious goal: to visit every National Park Service site connected to U.S. Grant — beginning right here at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, where Grant’s Civil War career took a defining turn.

Grant’s story reminds us that learning, exploration, and curiosity can take us far. We encourage all visitors — young and young at heart — to chase your goals and discover the places that help shape America’s story.

Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant