Shiloh National Military Park

Incredible experience here. Wish we had allowed more time for our visit, but early sunset kept us on a time crunch. Visitor center was nice. Helpful ranger got us started on the driving audio tour. We worked through it in just under two hours but could have taken twice as long and gotten out at each stop. Nevertheless it was incredibly informative and gave context to every corner of the battlefield. We will stop back the next time we are in the area and take some additional time to absorb all that the park has to offer.

The guidebook says 3-4 hours to see everything. Budget a day. The free audio driving tour is great. It takes you around the battlefield in chronological order as things unfolded. Plenty of opportunities to get out of the car, walk the grounds. Lots of monuments and canon. Highlyrecommended. 2 thumbs 👍

I love this place! I've been coming here since I was a kid. There is so much stuff to check out. If you are an avid fan of history, then I'd highly recommend checking this place out if you have never been. It really is a beautiful place to take a moment to pay respect for the fallen as well as learn about all that took place here on those bloody days of battle.

Didn't get to stay long and was there after hours. It's a humbling experience. The grounds are well kept. Recommend using the app to tell you about different battle sites.

Fantastic experience. Recommend watching the film at the visitors center and then doing the car tours, both the one in the park and the ones in Corinth. Be sure to get the National Parks app and download the park before you start the auto tour because some of the stops will have no signal.

Good historical park as a lot of lives have been lost but it’s good to learn about the history that happened! It’s a great park to do a car audio tour as you drive around the different stations around the park! I suggest starting out at the visitor center and getting a map from the park rangers! If you have a national park stamp book, make sure to bring it as this location has up to 4 or 5 stamps! Make sure to check out the historical mounds along the way! Also, watch out for poison ivy and snakes along the trail as I did see a few!

It is a beautiful place, but the history is sad. The markers make it easy to follow what occurred at this battlefield. Just make sure you read the ones near the visitor center as it explains what all the shapes mean. There are many cool memorials spread throughout.

Spanning more than 5,000 acres, this battlefield is huge – those who don’t have the time to see everything will want to pick and choose. I had around 1.5 hours, and we made the most of that time. I would advise starting with the Visitors Center’s museum – that takes around 25 minutes to absorb – and then check out the battlefield itself. As one would expect, lots of weaponry and memorials are visible with markers indicating which army fought at which site. There are guided tours available that one can join by driving. There is a gift shop on-site. This NPS-managed battlefield is free to visit, too. We did have to drive to see the Hornet’s Nest; like I wrote before, the park is huge and will need some driving around to see more of it. A word of caution – cellphone reception can be very spotty in some areas, so it’s a good idea to check one’s surroundings or even bring a paper map.

This is a great battlefield. It has several monuments, several interesting cannons displayed, and an easy to navigate driving tour. The visitor center isn't very big, but it's nice. It's immaculately clean, and it does its job; it tells the story of the battle and shows some interesting artifacts and relics. The woman working the desk at the visitor center couldn't have been nicer. In the short time I was there, I felt her passion for the park. She was very polite, and very friendly. It's obvious that she loves her job and wants to share her passion for the park with those who visit. A++++! The bookstore was small but adequate. The employees there also were very nice. The drive down to Pittsburg Landing was a bit steep, but the view was absolutely worth it. I was only here for a short time, but I love this place. I'm already planning a return visit where I'll be able to stay longer. If you haven't been here, be sure to visit! If you have been here, be sure to go back! It's that good. You won't be disappointed!

Beautiful! We enjoyed the driving tour and the winding road to the Tennessee River! It was such a breathtaking view! Enjoyed the movie in the visitor center and the book store was nice. Our 16 year old left with a new appreciation and respect for the Civil War.

Beautiful park with lots to see and learn. The visitor center was closed but there were maps provided and plenty of signage to explain what happened in each location. Great experience.

While this is a beautiful, peaceful and exceptionally well maintained and preserved battlefield and cemetery, there is a lot of poignant history to learn at this park. The park visitor center and museum is a great place to start. But there is so much more to explore! Keep your camera in hand as there is a lot of native animals about in the park! Keep in mind, many who actually fought here, both sides, decades later, collaborated to ensure facts are accurate Multiple programs take place and I suggest having a plan before arriving. The park is laid out for a car ride to many observation/historic points of interest. I suggest doing it as it is very beautiful and worthwhile. It is a slow ride and somber as you pass the many skirmish sites and mass graves. Getting out to walk at those stops is very important to understanding the scope and scale of the tragic loss of life and permanent battle scars on the soldiers' bodies and minds as well as the nation. It will help you to imagine what took place. There are many monuments you will want to see, read and think about. Monuments point out where the many different units fought. Units from Maine to Texas and Minnesota to Florida. This was the Nation warring, not just locals fighting. While touring, you can see lots of wildlife early in the day (turkeys, deer, coyotes, rabbits, groundhogs, hawks, and eagles). The trees and vegetation make it a lush park alongside the Tennessee River. There are many paths, creeks and thickets to explore. Additionally, mid way through the drive, you can visit a separate National Park containing the ancient Indian Mounds on the banks of the river. Hiking shoes, a good camera and some refreshments are absolutely needed. As a former Army officer, student of history and participant in government, I am concerned many who travel here don't see the full depth and meaning of what took place and how it tries to teach a critical lesson to all who visit. This was an early Civil War major battle that failed to rattle the people of that time to urgently find a better way to resolve differences before waging even larger battles and creating more devastation. This was the biggest battle of the Civil War at that time and even larger ones would follow. From a purely military perspective, I can see the how the terrain and weather led to the ghastly skirmishes. Plus understand the mistakes of inexperienced leaders that fired upon their own sides and allowed poorly trained/fresh untrained soldiers to be issued rifles for the first time a day or two before being sent in to battle. There were many poor military decisions at this costly battle that taught survivors how to perfect more devastating tactics. One would hope learning what took place here would move people to see that rhetoric of violent, hateful speech motivated and led those not having the education and understanding of the moral, social and economic implications (on both sides) to kill 3482, wound 16,420 and lose another 3844 (captured and missing). The politicians of those days continued sending more men (Americans and New American immigrants) into more costlier battles killing, wounding and scarring more Americans without forcing another path. Is that a direction we are beginning to repeat? Battles start where politicians fail. You can see that the mass graves and individual graves within this Park attest to that. Shiloh National Park is a good place to reflect upon not only what took place over those few weeks back in April 1862 but where we are today. Super job National Park Service and those long gone who survived this battle (from both sides) and spent the rest of their lives helping to accurately tell this story! I found this a very emotional and moving experience. It is why I saved this for number 1000. When will we ever learn...

Where ASJ took friendly fire and at the time was considered the best CSA commander on the field. Bobby Lee would distinguish himself later. My biggest mistake was taking someone along who absolutely had little interest in the History and rushed me through the car tour.

This collection of wooded groves and field along the Tennessee River was the site of a decisive Union victory a year into Civil War. As the battle was spread out over several miles, it can be a bit hectic to understand what exactly was happening where as you drive along the various sites in the battlefield. This brings me to the primary source of all five stars in this review. Ranger Timothy L. Arnold is a gentleman, a philosopher, and a storyteller. Some historic battlefield tours provide you with a superficial understanding of the event at hand, and more rarely, provide you with a glimpse or the true significance and context of the event. Yet once in a blue moon, you are given a guide that connects all those cerebral facts with the rhythms of the heart. Ranger Timothy is one of those special guides. Apparently Ranger Timothy was in the infantry, but I would not need to know that fact to follow him into battle. The man is a paragon of truth, equanimity, and wisdom. If we were all like Ranger Timothy, I think about 80% of society's problems would be solved. So do us all a favor and take a walking tour with Ranger Timothy. You will benefit, our country will benefit, and future generations will thank you.

Great national battlefield park. Start at the Visitor Center and Book store to get a lay of the land. The staff are very good. Try to get there in time for a viewing of the film to start off so you get a good idea of the battle and how it all fits. Definitely do this. Then take the 13 mile tour to see the 20 major stops. Get out of your car! Go see some of the monuments along the way and go out and see the battle from the participants' view. If you have the time, look up on-line the Boy Scout trails. There are different hikes that you can do to see beyond the roads and get close to some of the markers. Finally, make very sure you get out and see the National Military Cemetery. While most are Union casualties (the Confederate were buried in mass trench graves and remain largely unidentified) it remains an active veteran cemetery. Buried here are those who fought in WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam and others. Pro-tip here: never miss a chance to walk a Veterans cemetery. These are the sacrifices to keep our country what it is.

Beautifully preserved area with history of the civil war. The visitors center provides all kinds of information as well as a film to explain the major battle that took place here. The App Store has a narrated tour that you drive and loop through the park. The cannons lined up ready for service is a haunting reminder of what took place here. The whole area is a pristine landscape with an abundance of monuments to commemorate the loss of life on this battlefield. Easy to spend the whole day here exploring.

Baptism By Fire The battle of Shiloh (also called Pittsburg Landing) was fought April 6-7 1862. The Union Army under Gen. Ulysses S. Grant moved along the TN River where they were met by Confederate forces under Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston and P.G.T. Beauregard. The first day of battle was ultimate success for the Confederacy, even though Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston was mortally wounded from a shot to his popliteal artery in his left leg at 14:30. He mistakenly thought the wound was insignificant, so he sent the doctor away to care for captured wounded Union soldiers. Within the hour, his boot filled with blood and he died. He was the highest ranking person killed from either side in the Civil War. The first day of battle was over, but there was no peace. The night air was filled with painstaking cry's of wounded and dying men, thunderstorms, and cannon fire from the Union gunboats Lexington and Tyler. By the second day of battle, Gen. Buell's Union Army joined Gen. Grants. Confederate Gen. Beauregard had no idea he was now outnumbered. Confederate forces eventually were pushed back and forced to retreat to Corinth. Despite the Union victory, the call for Gen. Grants removal overwhelmed the White House due to the spread of a story that Grant had been drunk and lacked a defensive preparedness. Gen. Buell was credited with taking back control of the Union forces to lead them to victory. Lincoln replied "I can't spare this man; he fights." The 2 day battle of Shiloh had more casualties (Union: 13,047 Confederate: 10,699) than all the other American wars combined, so who would have thought 3 more years of bloodshed and 8 more bloodier battles would come.

I've never been a battlefield before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Shiloh is a somber, moving, educational place to visit. There's a visitor center with a small museum (which is not very good; it doesn't give a very good overview of the battle, though the free movie* they play every does that well) and a small gift shop. There's a national military cemetery, and a driving tour (about 12 miles I think) with lots of historical spots to stop. You can download the app with information before you arrive (since phone service is bad and the wifi in the visitor center was super slow), or they'll give you a paper map with an overview of the tours. There are lots of cannons (some replica and some historical), historical markers, and a recreation of an old church building. People who are really into military history will love this; others will still probably enjoy it. My favorite part was visiting the Caddo Indian Mounds site; it's about a one mile hike, and you can see the mounds and learn more about the native inhabitants of the area. You also get lovely views of the river. I visited with my 6 and 8 year old nephews, and they enjoyed it a lot (especially the replica cannons). I'm a northerner, and not gonna lie, was a little apprehensive about whether I'd find a "Lost Cause" narrative here. I didn't: the overwhelming sense I came away with is sadness over the senseless tragedy over such loss of life. There is a very interesting memorial to Confederate soldiers (make sure you read in the guide about the symbolism) - in my opinion, the only place such memorials should appropriately be. *WARNING (and one of the main reasons for a 3-star rating): The visitor center has a 45 minute overview video that plays on the hour. The video is super detailed (almost to a fault), and it involves a lot of historical reenactments. These reenactments are surprisingly intense and violent: you see people get shot (with blood), you see people wounded, and when there's a voice-over quote about the horror of dead bodies lying on the ground in the mist, and they actually show a bunch of dead bodies in the mist. While this is surely fine for most adults, it could be very distressing to some people (including vets with PTSD and young children). There's no content warning about it at all, and no reason to expect that an educational video will be intense or violent. One of my young nephews had nightmares that night because of the video :-( (Because it's a federal site, they require masks during COVID-19 in indoor spaces).

They've updated the ancient movie and the new one is more informative and gives better insight into the two days of slaughter. Other than that the visitor center remains the unchanged. The driving tour along with material from the center provide an excellent explanation of what happened, when and the results. It is very easy to walk in the fields and imagine the scenes unfolding. Our 18 daughter loved it. To walk in the steps of those who participated. You'll come away with an appreciation of U S Grant and his dogged determination, a truly unrelenting warrior. Certainly worth your time.

I have been to Shiloh many times over the years. We were there last week and I was quite impressed with the film in the visitor's center. The old film was very dated. I don't know when the new film that's being shown now was made, but it is so interesting and informative. I learned alot from watching it and I already knew quite a bit about this particular battle. Also, the junior ranger book is very thorough and informative. It requires much more work and research than the junior ranger books at other national parks we've been to. My child completed it and earned a badge, but I learned things from it, too. They should start giving the junior ranger books to interested adults, too!

One of the most complete collections of military marked movements on a single battlefield. Three colors of signs posted throughout the fields to track movements of each type of military present, you could be there for days tracking all of these. Monuments are very elaborate. I'd suggest taking the motor tour and stopping at the main stops but first watch the video in the visitor center so it will paint the picture of the events. If you have a full day for this site then explore the other monuments and hiking trails.

A handsome, well preserved, and important site, but they could do more to engage visitors. I grew up in Pennsylvania and visited the Gettysburg battlefield many times. One of the coolest relatively recent additions is the audio tour. You can take a self-guided auto tour using a CD that narrates the events of each stop. It is really well done, and in my opinion the best way to see that park. Here at Shiloh, the auto tour has only a map for accompaniment, with a two-sentence blurb for each of the twenty stops. Some of the stops have additional signage, some don't. At a few, there is little to see besides a field or a creek or a ditch...so one tends to stop the car, get out, look around for a moment, say "Mmm hmm" and get back in. Don't get me wrong--the park is great; it's well maintained and there are numerous monuments and memorials. It's just that I would like a little more to see and do than just drive the trail. Maybe the site is too remote and doesn't get enough visitors to justify further bells and whistles. I do truly appreciate what the NPS does and trust that they spend their budget wisely. In any case, the Shiloh battlefield is still worth seeing. One other thing rubbed me the wrong way: the ranger insisted that I watch the film. His demeanor was aggressive and off-putting, and to boot the film was forty minutes long! I hadn't planned to spend even a fraction of that time at the visitor center. The video was quite good, with solid narration and high production values. However, if you are already familiar with the story of the battle (as I was from previous reading and the equally good but much shorter film at the Corinth Interpretive Center), it adds nothing to your experience but mood as you set out for the battlefield tour. So my recommendation is definitely to come--but first go to Corinth, an excellent museum in its own right with a must-see memorial out back (http://www.yelp.com/biz/corinth-interpretive-center-corinth). Take in the exhibits, watch the video, then drive up to Shiloh. Pick up the map from the visitor center, skip the film, and do the driving tour. This is the best use of your time across both attractions.

Really well done NPS site. Very friendly rangers. Beautiful grounds. Informative visitor center. Well done junior ranger program. Definitely a place worth checking out.

Great place to learn some local history and also has excellent hiking and good facilities.

As civil war battlefields go, Shiloh is off the beaten path but I would recommend you make the drive. When we visited, the visitor center was closed due to covid so before you go, check on the NPS website to make sure what you want to see is open. As opposed to Chickamauga and Vicksburg, the park was staffed by friendly rangers who had a table outside the center. They set us up with maps and instructions for the driving tour. I was sad to miss out on the visitor center video, but I understand the park service is making the best of the situation. The driving tour of the battlefield is very easy to follow and also very well done. The tour really helped us to visualize the battle and understand what happened here. We were almost the only people there on a hot summer afternoon and the peace and quiet allowed us to reflect on the events of 1862. The monuments are spectacular and I was deeply touched, which I didn't expect. I hope that we can preserve these national battlefields so that history won't be erased. Plan on at least a few hours, depending on how much time you spend at each tour stop. There are a total of 20 stops. We also saw some local wildlife, most notably deer, so drive slowly and carefully inside the park.

Absolutely worth driving out of the wag for. They have an app to follow the spots and driving the tour- my internet connection was rough but we got through it. Felt like we were the only ones at the park too! Extremely well kept up and maintained. Able to walk around the sites and Grants last stand. Excellent experience (just expect limited cell reception and off the beaten path).

If you want to step back in time to one of the darker times in American History, you must visit Shiloh National Military Park located in the Southeast corner of Tenn. It was here on April 6-7 1862 that the opposing armies of the North and south clashed in a fierce battle that claimed over 23,000 casualties. Start out at the visitor's center where there's a small museum of artifacts that have been found on the roughly nine mile's of park and watch the antiquated 1957 short film of the battle. It's kind of corny but the park ranger said if the film was made today it would cost $700,000 to make! The map of the battleground is comprehensive and easy to follow..yes, a car is essential but if you're in good shape, you could walk it..there are many monuments/plaques along the way, some are off the main road and you'll need to get out and walk. Most impressive for me is The Hornet's Nest, now a quiet field, where a tremendous battle raged the first day. The replica of the Shiloh church (the original was destroyed after the battle) sits next to a newer church. It's a one-room log cabin that you can go into. The Manse George cabin, which sits on the edge of the Peach Orchard (another bloody battle site) is the only original structure from the time of the battle. The most somber site if the Bloody Pond, a small, shallow pond that sits behind the Peach Orchard. It was here that wounded, dying men from both sides came to drink from its waters amid the carnage, dying its surface red. Ghosts sightings have been seen here as well as other places in the ark. For those who appreciate Native American culture, check out the Mississppi Mound Builders mounds, built around 700-800 years ago. They still stand impressive even though time and erosion has reduced them to a smaller size. The bookstore located adjacent to the visitor's center is a nice place to pick up books, CDs and T-shirts. A great way to spend the day at one of America's many historic sites.

I so loved exploring this battlefield- from the 45 minute film at the visitors center, to the easy to navigate directions to the awe inspiring is rad to behold and take in. Was definitely worth the trip down to check it out

Visitor center was closed due to COVID-19. The park can still be accessed as it is driving tour of the battlefield. There are many signs explaining the various military positions of both armies over the course of the two-day fight (be prepared to walk around). There are placards of the history and maps along the driving tour. A good video to watch https://youtu.be/_QxeUjS0Duo Many obelisks and other magnificent statues honor the fallen soldiers. The destination is off the "beaten path" but well worth the drive.

Spent two days hiking around the park, Saturday was a very rainy day, Sunday was near perfect weather. Great way to learn first hand about civil war history! The park staff is great!

if it doesn't make you cry, you aren't paying attention... just amazing, overall... the museum is very good... they could use better t-shirts, but they have lots of other collectibles... the battlefield goes on forever... tons of monuments, and very well explained positions... they have created a really good great driving tour... also walked the 1 mile indian mound tour, which I loved... just a fascinating place... I spent about 5 hours, and could have stayed a few more days... and it's free!

Was here during the major rain so that was a bummer but will say the staff at the museum were GREAT! Enjoyed the party, saw lots of deer and beautiful memorials. Well worth the trip.

Shiloh National Military Park memorializes the costliest battle in the western theater of the U.S. Civil War. The park is out of the way so it's not despoiled with encroaching commercialism like other military parks such as Gettysburg. We started our tour with the 50 minute video shown in the visitor center. The film is superb in quality of production and informational content. It provides a good overview of the military campaign and provides context for the drive through the battlefield. Union General Grant's Army of Tennessee has been wreaking havoc for the Confederates in the western theater. The Confederates realize that they must stop Grant and gather troops from across the South at the rail center of Corinth, Mississippi. Confederate General Johnston learns that Grant has gathered his army near Pittsburg Landing along the Tennessee River and recognizes that the Confederates' best chance for defeating Grant is before Union General Buell arrives with his Army of Ohio. On the first day of the battle, the Confederate forces surprise the Union army, overrun their encampment around Shiloh and push them back to Pittsburg Landing. However, the Confederates fail to secure victory on the field that day. Buell's army arrives overnight with reinforcements and Grant takes the offensive the next morning defeating the Confederates who withdraw to Corinth. The driving tour takes you around the battlefield in a more or less chronological order. The park contains many monuments and memorials to the military units involved in the battle. Using the map in park brochure, the ebb and flow of the battle is described on the tour. Markers indicate the advance and withdrawal of troops each day. The brochure describes the significant engagements along the route and how they affect the flow and outcome of the battle. The Shiloh National Military Park provides an excellent experience of this important battle and should not be missed.

The Battle of Shiloh was a wake up call for the North and the South The number of casualties was appalling. Grant nearly lost his reputation. The Hornets' Nest and the Bloody Pond will never be forgotten. After the battle Governor Harvey of Wisconsin came down to bring medical supplies to the wounded Badgers. He slipped and fell off a gangplank, fell into the river and drowned. We got lost looking for the park and asked some locals for directions. Everyone we talked to acted like they didn't know where it was. It was a Union "victory"; and the locals consider themselves confederates. There is a nice visitors' center. You can watch a half hour movie if you are not familiar with the battle. Learn about the Lexington and the Tyler, two little gunboats that kept the Johnies in check after their success in the first day. You can drive through this extensive park, with ample places to stop and check out monuments. This is an absolutely beautiful park with an eerie vibe. Early in the morning I walked the path along what had been the front at the Hornets' nest. It was foggy and I was the only human there. As I stood there I could feel every hair on my body stand up. I realized this is where Iowan troops repulsed attack after attack until they were blasted from their position by cannon fire. Later as I stood near the Bloody Pond, I was filled with a near overwhelming dread. It is a beautiful place with a horrible history. There are ghosts there.

Amazingly beautiful grounds with memorials o'plenty to both North and South. It was eery at times but always an honor and privilege to tread the same ground that was the site of so many sacrifices in the honor of a cause. To stand or walk on the ground where the battles actually happened was chilling at times. I suggest first stop at visitor center to watch film that was made a few years ago using Civil War reenactors that was filmed on the actual sites at the actual times the battles happened. Very well done and definitely gives you a better understanding of how it all went down as well as some background and story line of participants from both sides. After the film a driving (or cycling) loop tour throughout the site (5000 acres) can be dine and there is excellent signage explaining what happened for both sides and on what day at what time at each pulloff. I was able to start my journey down South in Corinth MS which if time permits I suggest doing first if you can. There is a great interpretive center there and also a short film and walk through on why Corinth was important to both sides. As you drive from Corinth to Shiloh you are basically following the path that was taken by the South enroute to Shiloh area. Regardless of your beliefs about the Civil War, there is no denying that it IS a part of our American history and must be preserved, protected and should be understood. Highly recommended stop for anyone intetested in US history.

Such a beautiful place for such a dark and tragic history. It is magnificently maintained and managed.

One day was not enough time to see all that this park has to offer. Great exhibits, love the gift shop (although too small), great space for a group tour or school group. The staff was great and we enjoyed the historical re-enactor that gave the demonstration. The park is well kept, beautiful and peaceful. We will definitely go back.

I'm a big WW2 Pacific theater history buff. I must admit that I only know the basics about the American Civil war. A young waitress at BB King's told me about this place--- I was pleasantly surprised that younger people are aware and interested in history. Sobering place. I spoke to a park ranger who told me that, since TN straddled the Northern and the Southern armies during the 1860s, cousins and brothers from around here fought on both sides of the conflict on this very ground. He tells me that some family members still won't talk to each other...gosh, this is 2011. This is why war should never happen...but knowing how tribal we all are, it will always happen. The Battle of Shiloh was one of the first major battles of the American Civil War. It went on for two-days with about 65,000 Union troops under Ulysses S. Grant and Buell and 44,000 Confederates under Albert Sidney Johnston (killed in the battle) and P.G.T. Beauregard. 24,000 were killed, wounded, and missing. Guess what? After 2 days, neither side could claim they won. The battlefield is named after Shiloh Methodist Church, a small log church near Pittsburg Landing. It's hard to imagine this much blood shed. It looks so peaceful now near the TN River. Places like Pittsburg Landing, Bloody pond, Peach Orhard, massed artillery points and rugged ravines makes this place look like a tough place to hike even without people taking shots at you. The park is 110 miles from the Memphis airport.

Shiloh was spectacular. This is the fourth civil war battlefield under the National Parks Service that I've visited. The others were Pea Ridge (Arkansas), Wilson's Creek (Missouri), and Vicksburg (Mississippi). I must say that Shiloh is the most impressive of this group in my opinion. The large park is in pristine condition. It holds hundreds of monuments and markers, as well as many cannons. There is a driving tour that begins at the visitor's center. The tour winds back and forth around and across the park for probably 10 or 12 miles. There are 20 different stops that are identified on the tour guide map. These include the infamous hornet's nest, peach orchard, and bloody pond sites. The park was deserted early this morning in late November. I had the whole area pretty much to myself until later in the day. Wish I could have been here for the re-enactment earlier this year. There is a new film playing in the visitor's center that runs 49 minutes. Absolutely worth watching if you've got the time. There is a separate book store adjacent to the visitor's center. It offers about the same selection as I've seen at the other parks. The national cemetery is behind the book store. I believe only Union soldiers are buried here, which seems to be the norm at national cemeteries associated with the civil war. The Confederate dead were either buried in 4 or 5 mass grave trenches, which are identified on the tour map, or they were later removed after the battle was over and interred elsewhere. The Shiloh Military Park is comparatively isolated in a rural area. The closest towns offering hotel/motel accommodations are Corinth, Mississippi (to where the Confederate army retired after this battle) or in Savannah, Tennessee. Both are about 20 miles away from the park in opposite directions. There are no restaurants or fast food in the area either. There is one convenience store/gas station on the way back to Corinth. There are soda machines located behind the book store, but you won't see them unless you take a walk through the cemetery. They are otherwise hidden from view. If you plan on spending much time here, particularly in the hot summer months, I would very strongly recommend bring plenty of liquid refreshment with you and a snack too. The Corinth Civl War Interpretive Center near downtown Corinth is a must-see also. In fact, it is far superior than what little bit is on display in the visitor's center at the park. It provides exhibits and information not only on the Battle of Shiloh, but also on the Seige of Corinth and the Battle of Corinth that occurred in the months following the Confederate defeat at Shiloh.

Very smartly done. Even if a person doesn't get all that excited about the idea of visiting an old battlefield, I believe this would find it's way into the interest of most people. I went here free of bias, expectation or any preconception whatsoever but I do gravitate towards war-themed shows and movies so there's a latch-on there that I have. I love this place. It's an at your own pace, self-guided tour of driving your car for a minute or two, getting out to the first stop, reading the plaques, surmising the scene in front of you with your own imagery then driving to the next stop..and all the stops (somewhere around 20 of them) are numbered in chronological order of how the battle unfolded but they're aren't in a continuous line. Instead, you cross the lines on the map of where you think you should be going, you backtrack, you skip ahead, you begin to see the same people in their cars and almost make a game out of it. This a very low-stress manner in being presented a serious moment in American history and it works. What adds so much to it all is just how pleasant the land and scenery is all around. 'Pleasant' was the operative word that continuously popped into mind for me, you could go here just for the scenery alone. It's all so hard to put down from your hands. I left wondering if I did enough since I didn't have time to go to every stop. You can walk anywhere you want in the whole park and you should take a few sojourns here and there. Walk through the cemetery esp. if that's your thing. I saw one headstone of an army guy who was in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, holy crap! The cemetery has some inviting topography and hence, solitude to it. Right by the cemetery is the headquarters with a sort of museum which succeeds well with it's displays, you can try on reality-based uniforms of either side. This is one of few places in the east (anywhere east of Denver is what I call the east!) that I would like to return to with someone I know.

Outstanding site. I am a sucker for history & this place is just the ticket. My family's only complaint, and I KNOW we aren't alone, is there's no food sold here. I can understand why they don't want this place to get trashed, but perhaps they could put a Subway or something just outside the entrance?? And maybe a little snack bar? Just a thought...

Wanda, my wife, and I are vacationing in Pickwick Landing State Park, TN and decided to visit Shiloh, about 30 minutes from here. The visitor center is still closed so we couldn't get the audio tour, but it was still emotional. It made us very reflective on the whole civil war period. It's also fascinating how battles turn. Day one was won by the confederates, but Grant's army avoided destruction and total defeat. They retreated to Pittsburg landing on the Tennessee River and with the support of gunboat cannons managed to survive the night. Then with two replacement armies that arrived overnight won the field of battle the next day. While we were at Shiloh church, which was destroyed in the battle we kept wondering what it must have been like for the people of Shiloh who lived there BEFORE the battle. They got up on a Sunday morning getting ready for church, and all hell broke loose. By Monday evening their homes, farms and lives had been destroyed, and the troops just faded away and left them there. Wow. On an interesting note, we kept seeing the Army of the Tennessee in both blue (Union) and red (Confederate). That was confusing until Wanda read that the General Grant's Army of the Tennessee was named after the river, not the state! Then, on a personal note, we had a watershed day for birdwatching. We saw the Shiloh Bald Eagles!!! There is an eagles nest right there in the Shiloh military park that has been fenced off for protection. The two eagles have a baby that fledged (started to fly) just this week, and we saw all three of them yesterday. Each of the parents had flown to the river and caught a fish and brought them back for the baby and we saw them feeding. It was spectacular!!! The Shiloh bald eagles even have their own FB page... https://www.facebook.com/jacephus/ This is definitely worth a visit.

Man this battleground is huge. Coming up the winding roads to get there you feel compelled to stop at the many different memorial and historical markers, and believe me, it's worth it to read at least one if not all. As usual the park rangers were very friendly and extremely helpful. The park is well taken care of and chock-full of information every few feet. It's important to note that the park itself does not offer any guided tours so you make your way as you see fit. I was told there were some local companies that do tours but I didn't take one. The park also has a nice little shop were the guy working and I talked a lot about Columbus (oddly enough) while browsing for books and getting my stamps. I don't think he was a ranger (I may be mistaken) but he was excited enough about a young person collecting all of the cancellation stamps that he went into the back to get some "retired" stamps. If you also collect them I suggest to always talk to the rangers or staff at any park for a while and strike up a conversation. Not only do they sometimes get the old ones or special event stamps, but you'll probably also learn something and I'm sure they enjoy a good conversation with someone interested in the National Park Service too. I've always liked talking to the rangers because they always seem to show me something I didn't know before like hidden locations, the passport app, or random info you wouldn't have seen anywhere else. One thing I would suggest for improvements is a little more interaction. Maybe guided tours, or a little bit more to liven the place up. I would really love to see the NPS historical sites get more of a younger crowd. It's usually older people who come and actually read any of the history. It's important to preserve that and pass the information on so I would like to see, not only this park, but the NPS as a whole try to get younger visitors to come to their historical and battleground parks.

Just an amazing and quiet place. The grounds are beautifully kept and it is easy to get around and see the major sights. We arrived at about 9:00 and it was still a little foggy, which made the quiet cemetery a little spooky. There is a wonderful drive that you can follow all around the park, seeing the major sights and the Indian mounds that are in the same area. The man in the bookstore was very knowledgeable and friendly. I knew a little bit about the battle but after visiting the Visitor's Center (they have a small museum) and the man at the bookstore, I felt I had learned a lot. There isn't a ton of walking so it is a great place to bring kids.

This is the standard for all battlefield parks, both for well presented history, and park staff, if you can get the over the anniversary date, April 6 and 7th the extended field walks are outstanding, and a must for history buffs...But well worth a stop and some time whatever your interest level.....

Well maintained, and eerily beautiful considering what happened here...As always knowledgeable Rangers who put up with ALL my questions.

I've been to many civil war battlefields and this is a very good one.....both from a historical perspective and how it is presented today and organized for the visitor. It is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth it. Unlike some other battlefields this one has not been infringed on or surrounded by commerce of today. As an adjunct you should also go to the Corinth Interpretive center in Corinth, MS, which frames the battle of Shiloh in the cultural environment of the times. This is a must see add on to the park.

So glad we stopped here while in TN, the guy at the gift shop didn't seem to friendly but Dale made up for it. Dale knew so much and happily answered our questions. This place has so much history I loved the fact you can drive or hike to the different spots.

Well laid out, and more importantly, well preserved battlefield. Don't miss the approx 40 minute-long video setting up the battle. It was well done, and helped make sense of this widely ranging battlefield.