Despite the ongoing government shutdown that began two days earlier, many of the experiences of the Gettysburg National Military Park, managed by the National Park Service, are largely open as usual as of Oct. 3, 2025.
Park roads remain open to vehicles, pedestrians and bicycle traffic, and all park grounds remain accessible from sunrise to sunset, as of Oct. 3, 2025.
The upper deck of the Pennsylvania Memorial remained open, as well as several observation towers around the battlefield.
A visitor is silhouetted inside the State of Pennsylvania monument in the Gettysburg National Military Park as seen on the third day of a federal government shutdown, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Gettysburg.
Bathroom facilities at the parking area of the Pennsylvania memorial also remained open, as of Friday.
“National parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown,” a statement on the park’s website wrote.
Contingency plans for the 2025 shutdown by the National Park Service emphasize that access to any park are subject to potential change during the shutdown in the event that access to the location begins a safety, health or resource protection issue.
Visitors are seen on the still-open viewing deck ofthe State of Pennsylvania monument in the Gettysburg National Military Park is seen on the third day of a federal government shutdown, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Gettysburg.
The Gettysburg Museum & Visitor Center, which is operated by the Gettysburg Foundation, remains open on regular hours with many experiences and exhibits for visitors.
Those exhibits include screenings of the film “A New Birth of Freedom,” viewings of the sprawling 360-degree Gettysburg Cyclorama painting, as well as artifacts and interactive displays.
Along with the exhibits, the dining facilities and gift shop of the visitor’s center also remain open.
The Gettyburg National Military Park visitor’s center, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Cumberland Township.
While the grounds of the Eisenhower National Historic Site, adjacent to the battlefield, currently remain open, tours of the Eisenhower home will not be available during the shutdown, according to the park service.
The home tours, in 2025, had been scheduled to take place six times a day on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May 29 through Oct. 26, 2025.
On Friday, Oct. 3, a sign outside of the Eisenhower home advised that no tours are scheduled for the day.
A sign advises that there are no home tours scheduled at the Eisenhower Historic Site near the Gettysburg battlefield on the third day of a federal government shutdown, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Gettysburg. The tours would regularly have taken place six times a day on Thursdays through Sundays until Oct. 26, 2025.
Another impact is the loss of educational programs, interpretive services, and any information desks that are operated by National Park Service rangers, the foundation said.
While educational programs will not take place, park rangers will continue to operate in their law enforcement capacity around the park grounds to ensure visitor safety, according to the Gettysburg Foundation.
Licensed battlefield tours by licensed guides, both on foot or by bus, remain available, the foundation said.
The Eisenhower Historic Site near the Gettysburg battlefield, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Gettysburg.
In a post by the Dobbin House Tavern, a historic restaurant in Gettysburg Borough, the business stressed that the Gettysburg community remains ready to welcome visitors.
“All the independent tours, museums, shops, hotels and restaurants will serve guests as they always do,” the post said.
“October, with its crisp, cool air and beautiful colors of changing leaves on our historic landscapes, is an ideal time to visit Gettysburg,” the business added.
“We look forward to welcoming you!”
This has been updated with new information.
This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: How is the Gettysburg battlefield affected by 2025 shutdown?