Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is located in Virginia and serves as a reminder of the end of the Civil War.


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Summary

It was here that Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the war.

Visitors to the park can participate in a variety of activities, including guided tours, hiking, and exploring historic buildings. The park also holds regular events, such as reenactments and living history demonstrations.

Some of the specific points of interest to see include the McLean House, where the surrender took place, the Appomattox Courthouse, and the restored village of Clover Hill, which provides a glimpse into life during the Civil War era.

Interesting facts about the park include that it was established as a national historical park in 1940 and covers over 1,700 acres. Additionally, the park contains several monuments and memorials, including the Virginia Monument, which commemorates the state's soldiers who died in the war.

The best time of year to visit the park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is comfortable and the park's foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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