News Release

Gettysburg National Military Park Is Modifying Operations To Comply with Local Health Guidance

A cannon sits in a green grass field in the lower left side of the picture. Behind it is a low stone wall and yellow flowers and trees in the distance.
A cannon sits along Seminary Ridge during Spring.

NPS Photo

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News Release Date: May 20, 2020

Contact: Jason Martz, 571-358-0516

Gettysburg, PA – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Gettysburg National Military Park is increasing access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning May 22, 2020, Gettysburg National Military Park, in response to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s move to Phase Yellow for Adams County, will begin to allow Licensed Battlefield Guide operations, commercial operators, and special park uses. Licensed Battlefield Guides, permits, and special park uses are to comply with state reopening guidance and public health guidance which include limiting gatherings to less than 25 people and maintaining social distancing. Park Rangers will provide informal interpretation services through intermittent roves, or visits, to different areas of the battlefield. Portable toilets are available throughout the battlefield (see map below) at the following ten locations:

  1. 10 at McMillan Woods Campground

  2. 1 at Weikert Farm

  3. 6 at the Park Amphitheater

  4. 1 at Slyder Farm

  5. 2 at Big Round Top Parking area

  6. 2 at Wheatfield Road near Little Round Top

  7. 2 at the PA Monument

  8. 2 at the South End Comfort Station

  9. 2 at the West End Guide Station

  10. 1 at the National Cemetery Comfort Station.

The Museum and Visitor Center, Eisenhower National Historic Site buildings, Wills House, public restrooms, observation towers, and the Pennsylvania Memorial observation level remain closed. Park grounds, roads, trails, and parking areas remain open to the public. Park gates will be opened and closed at their normal times. There is no public parking available at Eisenhower NHS. Formal, scheduled interpretive programs with Park Rangers will not be offered. Landscaping and preservation activities have resumed in accordance with public health guidance.  

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners.  

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders for Pennsylvania State Phase Yellow, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.  

We have amazing virtual tours of Gettysburg NMP and Eisenhower NHS available on our web site for people who are still home schooling or not traveling at this time.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website at https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
 

www.nps.gov


About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.



A park map that shows the locations and the numbers of portable toilets throughout the park.
Map showing the location and numbers of portable toilets throughout the park.

NPS Map

Last updated: May 27, 2020

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Gettysburg, PA 17325

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