Gettysburg National Military Park Summer Ranger Programs

Summer Ranger Programs at Gettysburg begin on June 6 with a full schedule of programs, battle walks, children’s programs, tours and evening campfires taking place throughout the park and at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. A daily schedule of program offerings is available at the park information desk and kiosk outside of the visitor center.

The Battle of Gettysburg

Ranger programs that focus on the three days of this iconic Civil War battle, perfect for our first time visitors.

The Edward McPherson FarmThe First Day – Why did the battle start at Gettysburg? How did the fighting on July 1 shape the rest of the battle? Find out on this program. Meet at the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, Auto Tour Stop 2 daily at 10:00 am (1 Hour)
The Second Day – July 2 saw the heaviest fighting of the entire battle. Understand the key decisions that shaped the day and the actions that resulted. Meet at the Peach Orchard daily at 2:00 p.m (1 Hour)
The Third Day & Beyond – Learn what happened during “Pickett’s Charge” on July 3, 1863 and discover what its outcome meant for the Union and Confederacy. Meet at the “Ranger Program” sign in the National Cemetery parking lot between Taneytown Road and Steinwehr Avenue, daily at 4:00 pm. (1 Hour)
First Shots on McPherson’s Ridge – The Edward McPherson farm witnessed the opening shots of the Battle of Gettysburg, initiated between Union cavalry and Confederate infantry. How did the fighting on this simple farm shape and influence the strategy of the battle in the coming days? Join a ranger on this hour-long walk to discover the answers. Program begins at Auto Tour Stop 1.  Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday, at 11:30 am.  (1 Hour)

“Key Moments” Programs

These ranger-guided programs explore climatic moments and turning points during the three days of battle.

Little Round Top SignLittle Round Top – Meet at the General Warren statue on the summit of Little Round Top. One of the most famous hills in American history, it figured prominently in the fighting on July 2nd, 1863. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 11:30 am.  (1 Hour)
Devil’s Den – More famous today for its unusual rock formations and stories of Confederate sharpshooters, Devil’s Den was vitally important to its Union defenders on July 2, 1863. Meet at the parking lot on Sickles Avenue at Devil’s Den. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:00 am.  (1 Hour)
Culp’s Hill – Walk the wooded slopes of Culp’s Hill on the right end of the Union line where the most sustained fighting of the battle took place on July 2 and 3. Meet at the Culp’s Hill Tower on Slocum Avenue. Sunday, Tuesday,Thursday at 3:00 pm.  (1 Hour)
Cemetery Hill: The Key to Gettysburg – Before it became known as the site of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery and President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Cemetery Hill figured prominently in all three days of combat at Gettysburg. Meet at the Baltimore Pike (Rt. 97) entrance to the National Cemetery. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 p.m.  (1 Hour)
Cemetery HillEast Calvary Field – Visit the scene of one of the largest cavalry battles of the war, where Confederate General J.E.B Stuart was stopped by a Union cavalry force that included a new general named George Armstrong Custer. Meet at the Ranger Program sign at the parking area on Confederate Cavalry Avenue. Friday at 1:30 p.m.  (1 Hour)
Spangler’s Spring – Best known as the location of an alleged truce between Union and Confederate soldiers, the natural spring at the base of Culp’s Hill changed hands multiple times during some of the most brutal combat of the entire battle. Join a Ranger to separate fact from fiction at Spangler’s Spring, Auto Tour Stop 13. Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 am.  (1 Hour)
Pickett’s Charge – Follow in the footsteps of the men who took part in the most famous infantry assault in American military history. Explore why the attack was made, why it failed, and what was the cost. Water, insect repellent, a hat, and proper foot gear are highly recommended. Meet at the Virginia Memorial, Auto Tour Stop 5. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 3:00 pm.  (1.5 Hour)

The Living and the Dead

Ranger programs that reveal the human cost and significance of the Battle of Gettysburg.

Civil War SoldierLincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery – Meet at the Taneytown Road entrance to the National Cemetery. (Park in the National Cemetery Parking Lot along Taneytown Road.) Explore the cost of the Battle of Gettysburg, and the meaning of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. National Cemetery Walk happens twice daily: 11:00 am & 3:00 pm. (45 minutes)
Care of the Wounded – Over 27,000 soldiers were wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg. Learn how they were evacuated, treated, and how most of their lives were saved by the medical personnel of both armies. Meet at Ranger Program Site 2 behind the Museum and Visitor Center. Daily at 3:00 p.m.  (1 Hour)
Sunset on Cemetery Ridge – Join a Ranger to walk this historic ground at sunset and explore what happened when the battle ended and the clean-up and care for the killed, wounded and captured began. Hear compelling stories of courage and suffering, resiliency and memory. Meet at “Ranger Program Begins Here” sign in the National Cemetery Parking lot. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm.  (1 Hour)
Long Remembered –  Explore the impact of the battle upon the Gettysburg community and walk in the footsteps of President Lincoln. This 75 minute program meets at the historic Lincoln Train Station on Carlisle Street near the Majestic Theater. Saturdays and Sundays at 6 p.m. (Metered parking in Gettysburg is free on Sundays). (1 Hour, 15 Minutes)
Civil War Soldier – Meet at Ranger Program Site #1 behind the Visitor Center. There were over 160,000 soldiers who participated in the Battle of Gettysburg. Find out why they enlisted, why they fought, and what they endured during the four years of the American Civil War. Civil War Soldier Walk every day at 2:00 pm.  (1 Hour)

Sunday

10:00 am – The Battle of Gettysburg: The First Day
10:30 am – Spangler’s Spring
11:00 am – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
11:30 am – First Shots on McPherson’s Ridge
1:30 pm – Cemetery Hill: The Key to Gettysburg
2:00 pm – Civil War Soldier
2:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Second Day
3:00 pm – Culp’s Hill
3:00 pm – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
3:00 pm – Care of the Wouned
4:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Third Day & Beyond
6:00 pm – Long Remembered

 

Monday

10:00 am – The Battle of Gettysburg: The First Day
10:00 am – Devil’s Den
11:00 am – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
11:30 am – Little Round Top
2:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Second Day
2:00 pm – Civil War Soldier
3:00 pm – Pickett’s Charge
3:00 pm – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
3:00 pm – Care of the Wouned
4:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Third Day & Beyond
7:00 pm – Sunset on Cemetery Ridge

 

Tuesday

10:00 am – The Battle of Gettysburg: The First Day
10:30 am – Spangler’s Spring
11:00 am – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
11:30 am – First Shots on McPherson’s Ridge
1:30 pm – Cemetery Hill: The Key to Gettysburg
2:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Second Day
2:00 pm – Civil War Soldier
3:00 pm – Culp’s Hill
3:00 pm – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
3:00 pm – Care of the Wouned
4:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Third Day & Beyond

 

Wednesday

10:00 am – The Battle of Gettysburg: The First Day
10:00 am – Devil’s Den
11:00 am – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
11:30 am – Little Round Top
2:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Second Day
2:00 pm – Civil War Soldier
3:00 pm – Pickett’s Charge
3:00 pm – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
3:00 pm – Care of the Wouned
4:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Third Day & Beyond
7:00 pm – Sunset on Cemetery Ridge

 

Thursday

10:00 am – The Battle of Gettysburg: The First Day
10:30 am – Spangler’s Spring
11:00 am – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
11:30 am – First Shots on McPherson’s Ridge
1:30 pm – Cemetery Hill: The Key to Gettysburg
2:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Second Day
2:00 pm – Civil War Soldier
3:00 pm – Culp’s Hill
3:00 pm – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
3:00 pm – Care of the Wouned
4:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Third Day & Beyond

 

Friday

10:00 am – The Battle of Gettysburg: The First Day
10:30 am – Spangler’s Spring
11:00 am – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
11:30 am – Little Round Top
1:30 pm – East Calvary Field
2:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Second Day
2:00 pm – Civil War Soldier
3:00 pm – Pickett’s Charge
3:00 pm – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
3:00 pm – Care of the Wouned
4:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Third Day & Beyond
7:00 pm – Sunset on Cemetery Ridge

 

Saturday

10:00 am – The Battle of Gettysburg: The First Day
10:00 am – Devil’s Den
11:00 am – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
11:30 am – Little Round Top
2:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Second Day
2:00 pm – Civil War Soldier
3:00 pm – Pickett’s Charge
3:00 pm – Lincoln and The Soldiers’ National Cemetery
3:00 pm – Care of the Wouned
4:00 pm – The Battle of Gettysburg: The Third Day & Beyond
6:00 pm – Long Remembered
7:00 pm – Sunset on Cemetery Ridge

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