Little Round Top
Little Round Top is one of the most important locations of the Battle of Gettysburg. Students can clearly see how the hill protected the Union army's flank and why the fighting there was so intense.
Battlefield Guide
Gettysburg Battlefield Stops for Students
The Gettysburg battlefield is large, and it is impossible to visit every location during a school field trip. The best trips focus on a small group of meaningful stops where students can clearly understand what happened during the battle.
Best Gettysburg Battlefield Stops for School Groups
These locations are commonly included in Gettysburg field trips because they help students understand key moments of the battle.
Cemetery Ridge
Cemetery Ridge was part of the Union defensive line and helps students understand the overall position of the army during the battle.
Devil's Den
Devil's Den shows students how rocky terrain affected the battle and why geography played such an important role in Civil War combat.
Additional Battlefield Stops
Peach Orchard
This area helps explain how Union lines briefly advanced before Confederate attacks forced them back.
Pickett's Charge Area
Students can stand near the location where Confederate forces advanced during the final assault on the Union line.
Soldiers' National Cemetery
This cemetery is the site of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and is an important place for reflection.
Planning a Battlefield Tour for Students
When planning your battlefield stops, it is usually better to choose a smaller number of meaningful locations rather than trying to visit too many places in a single day.
- Focus on 4–6 key stops
- Connect stops to classroom learning
- Allow time for discussion
- Use maps or worksheets for student engagement