Reviews of Shiloh National Military Park (Park)

Matthew Speth

This is a very well kept battlefield and cemetery. The visitors center is very nice. The monuments are numerous. You could spend all day reading all the historical markers. Shiloh is a great piece of American history and well worth the trip.

Steven Rust

We intended to bike this park but a thunderstorm changed our plans. It is a great place for the history geek or simply to learn about the history of the greatest country on the planet. Park rangers and staff were great, outgoing, and welcoming. You will leave this park contemplating the sacrifices made on the altar of freedom.

Stephen Miller

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. 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.

Daniel Navarro

Peaceful & serene. Good bike paths.

derpy deathrun

Not bad

Kristie Boler

Wonderful lessons from history and so interesting!

Hannah Mattox

I will be 30 this year, and haven't been since 1998. My dad and mom took my sister and myself to the Shiloh National Military Park and we walked every trail, went through every tour stop, and took so many pictures throughout it. I loved it. My husband and I decided to take our kids today to revisit a little piece of my childhood, and a major part of our Mississippi heritage. I can't recommend it more for anyone to go to. It fully stands in honor of both Confederate and Union armies and will really hit you in the heart when you take the time to read about the history of it all.

Brian Davis

A great place to carry family for a day of fun. Kid will love the old cannons and they make photo ops great. I really opens your eyes to the Civil War era.

James Holland

When driving into the park a very humbling feeling comes over you. Very nice park and informational well done.

goldie gray

Beautiful land. Well maintained and full of history.

Pedro Ricardo de Souza Carvalho

Como toda atração no território americano, o parque é extremamente organizado e agradável. Um marco da memória americana, Shiloh National Military Park foi fundado em 27 de dezembro de 1894 em memória da famosa batalha ocorrida, durante a guerra civil americana, em 1862 em Shiloh. Dentro do parque encontramos um pequeno museu com quadros, armas, uniformes e histórias sobre a guerra civil. A não ser que você seja um aficionado pela história americana, só vale a pena se você estiver passando pela região.

terrie hart

Love this place

Andrew March

Great place to learn about Civil War history.

Steven Enos

The battlefield is very well maintained and the staff very knowledgeable.

Alan Hosch

Beautiful park and memorials to those whose lives were lost in the second largest battle of the War Between the States/American Civil War. Time your visit for July or August during a 17 year cicada emergence for an otherworldly experience. Visit nearby Corinth, Mississippi, for several great food options including White Trolley, Russell's, and Sweet Peppers. Visit Selmer, Tennessee, to taste legendary Pappy John's Barbecue.

Mark Bolding

Beautifully maintained memorial.

Chris Willcutt

Nice chill place

nangmui vip

We were traveling this part of Tennessee and thought we definitely wanted to see Shiloh National Military Park. It is a moving experience to see this place, rather it's your first visit or you have been here before.

Grant Kisling

An amazing park that starts with a video and continues with a beautiful drive through the historical battlefield.

Marli Benedict

You can spend hours or days, there is so much to take in.

Steve Markos

I am a travel writer for National Park Planner and I visited Shiloh National Military Park in November 2014. Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh, Tennessee, preserves the battlefield on which Union and Confederate forces fought a two day battle early in the Civil War on April 6-7, 1862. With huge losses on each side, the country realized that it was in for a long and bloody conflict. After the first day of fighting the Rebels had driven Union troops back to their original landing point at Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. With victory in hand, the Confederate commanders decided to rest the troops overnight and finish off Grant and his army in the morning. However, fresh Union reinforcements arrived that night and the next day’s anticipated Confederate victory turned into a demoralizing defeat. The Confederate living and wounded retreated back to Corinth, Mississippi, a strategic railroad town that was key to controlling what was at the time the southwestern United States. The Military Park includes locations in both Shiloh and Corinth, which is about 25 miles south of Shiloh. The Shiloh unit of the park includes a Visitor Center and small museum, a gift store, the Shiloh National Cemetery, and the preserved battlefield. A tour road leads visitors to various points of interest. The Corinth battlefield is not as well preserved, for much of it was within city limits and was developed at the time the park was created in 1894. However, parcels of the battlefield that lie outside the city have been purchased over the years and were added to the park 2000. Many of these sites simply mark locations where events took place or preserve a few Union and Confederate trenches, so most will only be of interest to true Civil War buffs. Only the Corinth Contraband Camp site offers much in the way of exhibits. However, the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center is far superior to the Shiloh Visitor Center. It is the “Visitor Center” that should be at Shiloh and if you really want to learn about the battle before venturing out onto the battlefield, it would not be a bad idea to start your visit here. It is only a half hour drive between Corinth and Shiloh. For complete information on all there is to see and do, plus nearly 150 quality photos, visit my National Park Planner web site (npplan).

Elaine Torgersen

Great site for American history. The rangers have a scavenger hunt for kids to do to be more engaged with learning. We visited the museum, cemetery and took the driving tour. Beautiful monuments with a lot of signs explaining the different aspects of the battle. I highly recommend it.

Ethan Turner

Beautiful place to visit with tons of stuff to view I absolutely love the civil war it's a great tragedy the shaped and formed this beautiful america we live in now. My son loves Abraham Lincoln so since this had a little to do with what he was trying to do he loved it too. I learned quite a bit from reading the signs and visiting the cemetery. If you love the civil war this place is an excellent place to visit

Albert Ruiz III

Great place. Hollowed ground. Enough said

Ryan Johnson

I've been coming here since I was a child. There is quite a bit of history in this area. They provide a film on the background of the battle and a cool gift shop.

Ron Pierpoint

Worked in the area once and did quite a bit of exploring and thinking about the battle and battlefield. I noticed that the more I went there the more physically ill at ease I would become. It got so that if I was on the battlefield grounds I would feel sick and like I was the tresspassing in a private graveyard. It's not a playground, you will be standing on someone's blood. (It may not affect everyone the same way - but why would it ?)...

Linda Kenley

Awe inspiring! It brought me to tears. We're going back soon.

Brandon&Michelle Hultman

We had a phenomenal time. Enjoyed talks by Hal and Shelby. Well-staffed park. Clean, well-marked, and easy to navigate. Quaint bookstore, and the movie in the visitor center cannot be missed! Thank you, Shiloh!

tim N michele Davis

What a great adventure, we got there at 9 am and left at 4 pm. You drive to the different spots by following the road signs. Walking while not required is suggested.

Gerry Burklow

Enjoyed the multiple ranger talks throughout our visit. A must do if you have time. They are so knowledgeable and bring the battlefield to life. A very special place!

Frank Johnson Photographic

A very moving place, and ample history.

Keith Markham

One of the best battlefield parks I have been to.

Brent Winstead

This is the 1st time I have been here I will be going back. Had a blast.

Andrew Richard

Great experience and awesome history.

Kent Garner

Beautiful park with a tragic story.

Nagle Cornell

Very historic battle, along with the subsequent Battle for Corinth. A shift in tide from one day to the next, very plainly presented by the must see film they created to explain the situation. Make sure to do the driving tour, and especially the Confederate Memorial - read the board that explains what each feature means in detail. My 18yr old son and I thoroughly enjoyed this site. And don't miss the rest of the park 1/2 hr away in Corinth (Civil War Interpretive Center). And the nearby Catfish Motel is a great place to eat!

Larry Taylor

Very informative. Clean, quiet, and well maintained. Does not have a guided tour like some other Civil War Parks.

John B

Just visited the park on the 156th Anniversary (2018) of the Civil War Battle of April 6th and 7th, 1862. The Park is well kept and the staff, including volunteers and many others, are very knowledgeable and helpful. Many monuments, cannon positions, and information signs help visitors to understand the troop movements and phases of the battle as it unfolded on the two days of conflict. The additional sites of Fallen Timbers and especially the Interpretive Center at Corinth, Mississippi fill out the related and regional aspects of the conflict placing its importance into the overall scheme of the Union strategy for the War in the West.

Michael Mitchum

It's awesome to live where one of the most famous civil war battles took place, it's clean peaceful quiet and full of wonderful history!

Richard Dunn

a lot of history

Rivrhuntr

Just a beautiful peaceful place considering its past. Its next to the Tennessee River. There is also a Mississipian Indian village site which was a great experience and a personal highlight for me.

- Mickey -

A wonderful place to explore and learn great details of the Civil War.

Bob Henderson

Probably the best preserved battlefield in the United States.

Terry Williams

Very well maintained Park

Jacob Floyd

If you are driving through Tennessee, I HIGHLY recommend stopping by this National Park. It's huge and will take some time out of your schedule, but it was one of the most important battles in the early years of the Civil War. The park itself is beautiful, it's hard to imagine a bloody battle raged on here, but it is definitely a place to visit for people who enjoy history and historical places. Side note: The Union called it the Battle of Shiloh while the Confederates called it the Battle of Pittsburg Landing.

Gary Lawson

Super duper place

Barbara Sorrow

Wonderful place to study history .I was able to understand the history by seeing the area.

Lynn Wray Dillard

Love to hike here in the winter and early spring. There is such solemn beauty at every turn. The visitors shop is well stocked with relevant books and trinkets for kids. The park staff are easy to talk to and knowledgeable.

Mark Stedorro

A credit to the National Park System.

Tyler Godefroy

I really enjoyed visiting th Shiloh battlefield

Jim Williams

Incredible photos and great experience in learning more about our history. I hope to visit in the spring 2017

Christopher Abbott

What an extensive and historic battlefield! I was lucky enough to visit during the 150th anniversary of the battle.

Patrick Earley

Being a history nerd, I had to visit this battlefield. Thinking this was going to be a typical Civil War site, I planned for my typical response of awe. What I did not expect was how awesome and beautiful the park was. Well worth the time and planning to visit.

Jack Bennett

One of our finest national military parks. Well maintained. Well marked. Well marked and maintained trails. Great deer watching. Great eagle watching. Driving tour is excellent.

Jason Foutch

The last time I visited this place i haf goose bumps for a week after ..I found it to be a very peaceful place honestly I felt emotionally broken and like something didnt want me to leave.. ill never forget that feeling as long as I live I remember going to the bloody pond the sun was shining you can see the Red in the water I was stunned to it was a very crazy but emotional rollercoaster ride experience. ...

Kayla Stone

Love my history. ❤

Kenneth Jones

Love going there all the time

Rob Caraccio

Humbling experience & well maintained by the park service.

Laurie Dotson

This is an incredible battlefield/national cemetery. We started at the visitor center where a friendly employee explained the best way to view the site. He directed us to the auditorium where we watched a film which oriented my non Civil War buff husband. We then toured the battlefield. It is just amazing!! Well done, park service, well done!!

mr mike 380

filled with history! enjoy the park and get out and learn!

Mark Garland

As a Soldier, I am truly humbled every time I visit Shiloh. I am fortunate that my in-laws live about 20 minutes away. This affords me the opportunity to come to Shiloh at least twice a year. This year I found a new area of the park that I had never been in before, the Indian mounds which served as Grants Left Flank during the battle. It is such a beautiful place. I truly believe that this is sacred ground. I believe Darryl Worley says it best in his song "Shiloh" A mist halos the meadow and a soft wind Breathes a whisper through the trees As I lean against a hickory I close my eyes and I can almost see The ghostly forms of blue and gray And I can almost hear the cannons blast Standin' in the presence of the past The first few waves came cheerin' Fear and hatred runnin' through their blood When the day was finally over Those left were wadin' through a crimson flood To think I could be right here In the spot where some young soldier breathed his last Standin' in the presence of the past Brother fightin' brother Father fightin' son By the time the sun was settin' Looked like the South had won Now my mouth's as dry as cotton And my heart is beatin' fast Standin' in the presence of the past Sunrise caught the rebels sleepin' and they woke To hear a Yankee bugle blow Bullets flew like angry hornets Till the peach tree blossoms drifted down like snow It must have been like hell on earth What happened here is more than we can grasp Standin' in the presence of the past Brother fightin' brother Father fightin' son By the time the smoke had lifted They knew the North had won Lord my soul feels empty As my tears fall on this grass Standin' in the presence of the past Brother killin' brother Father slayin' son From the looks of this old graveyard Hell nobody really won Somethin's changed inside me It sure can happen fast Standin' in the presence of the past A mist halos the meadow and a soft wind Breathes a whisper through the trees.

R T

The New World Order will erase all evidence of these hallowed battlefields to hide all rebellious behavior from the new transhuman.

slick erick

Was not open for their birthday like they said they was going to be drove all the way from Grenada ms

Ed Martin

Worth the visit when in area

The Adventures of Dan&Stella

Love it! It helped out a lot with writing my book, "Day and Night," which centers around the battle of Shiloh and the men and horses that fought there. The park is beautiful, and very large. If you're interested in the history, be sure to schedule 2-6 hours to see the entire thing. I was there for most of the day. The museum/welcome center is small, but well put together, and the video does a great job explaining it to people who may not be as interested in it as you are! :) The grounds are huge, and very detailed, with signs indicating the positions of different regiments and battle movements, etc. Beautiful area leaves a lot to the imagination sometimes, but there are cannons and monuments in the area. Overall, a great time for a Civil War history buff.

Jeff Green

My family's home ( great grandmother's home was in park during the battle, there last name was Wicker. I'd like to have our land back. Lol

William McKenzie

A cool experience. If you listen close enough to the silence, you can almost here cannon fire. Bloody Pond has an eerie feeling. Definitely worth a trip for the history of the battlefield.

Ben Hunter

Great experience on your Civil War trails travels, take the time and explore the park on grounds and off grounds as it is vast and filled with history. One of my favorite NPS!

regina johnson

Been there twice, although emotional, this history is fascinating

Jay Jackson

you ever get that feeling you been there before goose bumps

Tara Umhoefer

Very nice park!! Very Friendly People!!:)) Great Getaway My Kids Love it!! :)

Jenifer Sims

A great place to take your kids to learn about the Civil war. Be sure to visit all outposts around. It's worth the driving.

Kim Garvey

Shiloh is a must see when visiting south Tennessee. It's a lovely park with a 20 stop driving your of the key points of the battle that takes about 2 hours to do, more if you intend to read each of troop position signs. The visitor's center has a historical overview via exhibits and a film that takes about 30 minutes for both. The park also includes a series of ancient Indian Mounds, if you want to walk that trail, it'll add a hour to your visit. Lots of special events on holidays like cannon firing!

Jeff Moran

The park was good. As you explore Shiloh, I had the same feeling that I received after visiting Gettysburg that the north and south "ghosts" still inhabit the battlefield. Make sure you stop at the visitor's center to watch the film and to grab a map. Even though important battle events are well marked on the self-guided driving tour, the map will give you an in-depth explanation of each stop. I especially enjoyed the nature walk through the Indian Mounds because it was nice to know a portion of the battlefield was used peacefully by the Indians long before the Shiloh battle occurred.

Emmy Snider

Very interesting lots of history. We go down to my brothers Clifton Tennessee the past 5 years and last year was the first year we went. We are back down here this year and my dad says we are going today or tomorrow. Loved all the history.

Dustin Coan

Be sure to stop by when there are live reenacters!

Grey Neely

I hiked many of the Boy Scouts' hiking trails in the 1960's. I was at the 100 year and the 150 year celebration. Shiloh has been and will always be one of the most interesting national military parks in the USA.

Walter Dicus

Listen to A Blaze of Glory by Jeff Shaara. Book on tape before you come here. OMG. There are spirits in the wind.

Brian Ford

My 3rd great grandfather fought here with the 16th Wisconsin we will be back

Libby Smith

Wonderful place to explore and learn about local history. Great for youth/family. The staff is very knowledgeable and well informed on Shiloh’s historic events.

Linn Rowe

Wonderful place. So very well kept up, informative. If you are a Civil War buff this is the place....so very quiet and still

Ann Windsor

A never-forget place.

Zavier Kuehler

Not good at all

Jesse Woods

Great place to learn about Civil War history, they have scavenger hunts for, making it fun for them to learn as they go!

Whitney

We visted Shiloh during the Memorial Day weekend and attended their memorial services. The ceremony was very nice and obviously crowded, but that is to be expected. The grounds are expansive and we only had a few hours to walk around. It would take you 2-3 days to really explore the entire battlefield. We were only dissappointed by the driving tour we purchased in the gift shop- this was a complete waste of money! The driving tour CD did not match the newly updated map which they hand out with the CD when you purchase it. An employee tried to explain how to use the new map with the old CD, but once we began driving on the grounds we became very confused. The map was horrible and not to scale- Not helpful at all! We ended up turning the CD off and just driving around aimlessly. We would love to come back when we have more time to spend, but will definitely not do another driving tour unless their materials for the tour are up to date.

Kimberly Copeland

Grew up in this beautiful place. Jordan road is named after my family as my grandparents were the first land owners on the road.home sweet home.

david johnson

I never been there but I am going right now i am an hour away from this place ha gotem

Dog of Worthbool

Our school took many trips to this place. We learned a lot!

Herondale JAce

Beautiful park with amazing scenery. Video of the battle is VERY well done. A must for any Civil War buff.

Bryan Wayne

I live 40 miles away from here, and ive been to the park hundreds of times. Beautiful, and historically correct!

Alan Bagwell

Helpful staff and a great movie to start you off on your tour.

Rob Bishop

Wonderful place to go visit and teach your children about history.

Frankie Leeka

My boyfriend and I just loved it there.. my children weren't very happy, but they were young and don't understand the great and sad things that happened there, but one day they will be able to say Hey i remember going there and maybe take there own children someday..

Duane Ruggles

It was a wonderful place...definately go back.

Gwen Bentley

Be sure to watch the 45 minute movie in the visitor center, then drive the tour route. An amazing battlefield.

Mario Ragucci

My American ancestors at this battleground have the greatest honor for having unlimited discipline. So many American men died here at Shiloh at a time before USA or CSA knew what total war really meant. When groups of men felt glory in being brave, standing their ground on a battlefield. So much death occurred as a result. But the park here does a great service in honoring and remembering these events. There are CSA burial trenches that are very moving to stand at in total silence. Your walking on extremely hallowed ground. There is a grave of the unknown Confederate soldier in Mississippi....here at Shiloh there are several trenches of unknown CSA soldiers. I don't have the words. A surprise was native American mounds / early civilization. This area, 1500 years ago, was popular with native Americans, obviously, and they erected mounds, that are (somewhat) preserved through time. The Battle of Shilo affected this site, as USA soldiers were buried on at least one of those ancient, pre-existing mounds. I can only imagine the emotions of the native American who lived here, and then saw what happened after the battle. You can walk up to, and climb on top of, these ancient native American mounds, and I have never been to such an open historical site as this. You drive to it, and it was really something, secluded, almost private, never will forget, and VERY GLAD I found this Native American site by accident. One of the mounds has an elevated view of the river. You can also stand in the exact spot CSA Gen Johnston died from his injuries in battle. The spot is marked, and it was very moving to stand in that same spot, and to think the land topography has stayed intact, with a stream. You can easily picture CSA Gen Johnston on horse lay down and die from battle wounds at this spot :(

Jessica Watson

We try to make it here every year... It's a beautiful place with a history that we should all know and show our respect for.

Dave Jenn

Spent the weekend camping and hiking with the Boy scouts. Had a fantastic time. The history here will give you goosebumps...

Cindy Zins

History...

Andrew Bohnenkamp

A wonderful place to visit to learn about one of the pivotal battles of the civil war. The place is well run, and the staff knows their stuff

paul joseph pirrung

Mid trip stop over???

Little Bear

Hallowed ground, very well preserved

Jamison Davis

I’m not the biggest battlefield park fan, but I loved the Indian mounds found within the park. It was very cool to step back into pre-European culture.

Eddie DeLuisa

Moving to be here...

Brad Sherman

Nice. Moving memories of our fallen