Grand Gulf Military State Park

Grand Gulf Military State Park is a 400-acre site in Mississippi that preserves Civil War fortifications and related structures. The grounds feature hiking trails, an observation tower, camping facilities, and several buildings restored to show how they looked in the 1800s.

The site saw combat in 1863 when Confederate gunners held off Union troops commanded by General Grant. After the war, the river town of Grand Gulf faded away because the river shifted its course and the war had destroyed much of the settlement.

The chapel on the grounds reflects how people maintained their faith after the war and was brought here from elsewhere to be preserved. Visitors can see how a community tried to rebuild its spiritual life during a difficult period.

The park is open daily and welcomes visitors to walk the trails and view the fortifications from the observation tower. Those who want to camp will find spots with water and electrical connections, making it easy to spend more time exploring the site.

The park preserves what remains of a river port town that vanished when the Mississippi changed course and was damaged by war. Walking the grounds, you encounter traces of a community that no longer exists anywhere else.