National park · United States
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
Give it 2–3 hours: the memorial, the 30-minute film and the Wabash riverbank walk. Come on a weekday morning in April–May or September–October; entry is free, so the only cost is parking and your time.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
0 km²0 sq mi
approximate
Established
1966
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 0 km²0 sq mi
- A compact memorial grounds and riverbank parcel; the exact acreage figure varies by source (check).
- Established
- 1966
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
This is a small park built around one event: on 25 February 1779 George Rogers Clark took Fort Sackville from the British, a win that helped secure the Northwest Territory for the United States. The park sits on the likely site of that fort, on the bank of the Wabash River in Vincennes, Indiana. A granite memorial more than 80 feet high holds seven large murals and a bronze Clark statue; the visitor centre adds a film and exhibits. It is a history stop rather than a hiking park — the walking is a short riverbank loop — so pair it with Vincennes itself or Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial an hour away.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1966.
Size and age
0 km²0 sq mi · national park since 1966
A compact memorial grounds and riverbank parcel; the exact acreage figure varies by source (check).
Why go
- The 1779 capture of Fort Sackville is one of the decisive moments of the American Revolution in the West, and this park is built entirely around it.
- Seven 16 x 28 ft murals by Ezra Winter and a bronze Clark figure over 7 ft tall sit inside a memorial more than 80 ft high.
- The grounds run along the Wabash, Indiana's longest river, with a short path down to the water.
- It is free to enter, so it works as a 2-hour stop on a US-41 or US-50 road trip.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, grey; grounds walkable but short
- FebCold; occasional ice on paths
- MarChangeable; some mild days
- AprMild, green, fewer visitors
- MayWarm and comfortable; school groups appear
- JunHot and humid; go early
- JulHot and humid; midday heat
- AugHot and humid; storm risk
- SepWarm days, cool mornings
- OctClear, mild, good river light
- NovCool; quiet
- DecCold; holiday closures possible (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River birds and waterfowl along the WabashMar–May, Sep–Nov · Best from the riverbank path, early morning. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Songbirds and squirrels in the memorial groundsApr–Sep · Common in the shaded lawns. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mosquitoes near the riverJun–Sep · Bring repellent for evening walks. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Vincennes
Drive or walk from downtown; the park is on the river side of the city centre.
5–10 min
From Indianapolis
US-41 south via Terre Haute, then into Vincennes.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From St. Louis
I-64 east then US-50 east to Vincennes.
3–3.5 h
From Evansville
US-41 north to Vincennes.
1.5 h
From Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
Drive via US-231 and I-64; an easy pairing with this park.
1–1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial and grounds | The granite memorial with the murals and bronze statue, plus lawns and paths. | Open to walkers during park hours; free. |
| Visitor centre | Exhibits on Fort Sackville, Clark's life and the Northwest Territory, plus the film and audio guide. | Open during park hours; free (check seasonal hours). |
| Wabash riverbank | A short path down to the water for views of the river and the memorial from below. | Open; uneven in places. |
| Downtown Vincennes | Shops, restaurants and lodging a short walk or drive from the park. | Open; separate from the park. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entrance | Free | person | No entrance fee. |
| Parking | Free | vehicle | Free lot at the visitor centre (check). |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | 2026 estimate; not needed here, but useful if the same trip includes fee-charging parks. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Ranger programme or film no permit
Group or school visit permit or guide
Park rules
- Memorial etiquette
- Quiet inside the memorial; no touching the murals or the statue.
- Pets
- Allowed on the grounds on a leash; not inside the memorial or visitor centre (check).
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission (check).check
- Picnicking
- Allowed on the lawns; no fires or grills.
- Riverbank safety
- Stay back from the water edge; the bank can be slippery after rain.
Where to stay
Near the park
Vincennes hotels and motels
The practical base; a few minutes from the park gate.
Near the park
Ouabache Trails Park
County park with cabins, electric and tent sites north of town (check rates and season).
Near the park
New Vision RV Park
Full-hookup RV sites north of Vincennes (check rates).
Safety
Summer heat and humidity medium
Slippery riverbank low
Severe weather medium
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, memorial and main paths are designed for wheelchair and limited-mobility access.
- Accessible parking is available at the visitor centre.
- The riverbank path has uneven sections; ask staff for the easiest route.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out everything you bring; bins are limited on the grounds.
- Stay on paths to protect the lawns and riverbank vegetation.
- Combine the visit with downtown Vincennes so one drive covers several stops.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter George Rogers Clark National Historical Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee, and parking at the visitor centre is free (check). The memorial, visitor centre, film and grounds are all free to visit, so the only real cost is getting to Vincennes and any food or lodging in town.
What are the best hikes in George Rogers Clark National Historical Park?
There are no real hikes here. The walking is a flat 20–40 minute loop over the memorial grounds and down to the Wabash riverbank. Treat it as a history stop with a short walk, and save longer trails for other parks in the region.
When is the best time to visit George Rogers Clark National Historical Park?
April–May and September–October: mild temperatures, green or turning trees, and fewer people than in summer. June–August is hot and humid, so go in the morning. Winter is quiet but cold, and holiday closures are possible (check).
How long do you need at George Rogers Clark National Historical Park?
About 2–3 hours covers the memorial, the 30-minute film, the exhibits and the riverbank walk. Add an hour or two if you want to walk into downtown Vincennes for food and other historic sites.
Is the park the same as Fort Sackville?
The park stands on the site believed to be Fort Sackville, the British post Clark captured on 25 February 1779. The fort itself is gone; the memorial, murals and exhibits tell that story.
Do I need a national park pass?
No. This park charges no entrance fee, so an America the Beautiful pass is not needed here. It is worth buying only if the same trip includes parks that do charge.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go