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George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

Designation: National Historical Park

Location: Indiana

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

The British flag would not be raised above Fort Sackville Feb. 25, 1779. At 10 A.M., the garrison surrendered to American Colonel George Rogers Clark. His American army, aided by French residents of the Illinois country, had marched through freezing floodwaters to gain this victory. The fort’s capture assured United States claims to the frontier, an area nearly as large as the original 13 states.

🌤 Weather Information

The weather in the area is quite typical for the Midwest. The average temperature for the winter months is in the mid 30s, but the summers can often be hot and humid with temperatures reaching into the 90s.

🚗 Directions

The George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is located within the city of Vincennes, Indiana. Evansville is approximately 50 miles to the south and Terre Haute is approximately 50 miles to the north. Highway 41 provides good roads from the north or south. Highway 50 provides access from the east and west. From Hwy 50 east and west or from Hwy 41 from the north use the 6th Street exit. On Hwy 41 from the South use the Willow Street exit. From there follow the blue directional signs for the park.

Images

Sun setting behind the Clark Memorial

Many people enjoy watching the sun set behind the George Rogers Clark Memorial on the banks of the Wabash River

Credit: NPS Photo

George Rogers Clark Memorial entrance

Thousands of visitors ascend the steps of the Clark Memorial and gain a glimpse of the heroic eagle above the entrance doors.

Credit: NPS Photo

Sun setting behind the Francis Vigo Statue

At the end of each day, visitors gather in the shadow of Vigo to watch the sun set over the Wabash River

Credit: NPS Photo

cloudy purple sky with memorial

Sunset over the memorial

Credit: NPS Photo

Statue of a man wearing a cloak with trees in background

Father Gibault an often overlooked part of the park.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday
9:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday, Sep 2

Sunny

Sunny

High: 100.8°F | Low: 75°F

Humidity: 52%

Wind: 14.8 mph

Rain Chance: 5%

UV Index: 8.3

Sunrise: 06:20 AM

Sunset: 07:19 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (60%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 77.6°F

Cloud Cover: 5%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Sep 3

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 101.2°F | Low: 75.5°F

Humidity: 57%

Wind: 12.1 mph

Rain Chance: 57%

UV Index: 8.5

Sunrise: 06:21 AM

Sunset: 07:17 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (50%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 77.4°F

Cloud Cover: 57%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Sep 4

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 102.9°F | Low: 80.1°F

Humidity: 46%

Wind: 9.6 mph

Rain Chance: 36%

UV Index: 8.1

Sunrise: 06:22 AM

Sunset: 07:16 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (39%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 79.4°F

Cloud Cover: 36%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

George Rogers Clark NHP in the Eastern Time Zone Information
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is located in the Eastern Time Zone. The memorial closes 15 minutes before the visitor center.

More Info

Park Events

Clark March
In February of 1779 George Rogers Clark’s forces marched across the Illinois country and flooded Wabash River to Vincennes to challenge Henry Hamilton and the British Army at Fort Sackville. Clark’s success is often regarded as a key event in American movement West to the Mississippi River and South to the Ohio River. An area 1/3 the size of the original 13 colonies known as the Old Northwest Territory became part of the United States at the end of the American Revolution.   On February 21, the National Park Service will commemorate Clark’s March with a guided walk covering the last five miles of the journey. Park staff and volunteers will discuss events that took place along the way into Vincennes.    Those wishing to walk need to register for the walk by 5pm on February 14th 2025 by calling 812-882-1776 ext. 1210 or in person at the Visitor Center. This is necessary to have a place on the bus which will drop-off walkers, those that do not register ahead of time may not be able to participate.   Walkers will check in at the park Visitor Center by 9:30 am (Eastern Time) and the bus will leave at 9:45 am. Comfortable shoes and seasonally appropriate attire are recommended for those walking in the event. Many participants will wear 18th clothing in the style of Virginia Militia, but it is certainly not required.
    Comfortable shoes and seasonally appropriate attire are recommended for those walking in the event. Many participants will wear 18th century clothing in the style of Virginia Militia, but it is certainly not required.   For further details, contact Chief Ranger Joe Herron at 812-882-1776 ext. 1204.  

Location: George Rogers Clark National Historical Park Visitor Center

Date: Feb 21, 2026 12:00am to Feb 21, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Kite Day
Rangers and volunteers of the George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, in partnership with the George Rogers Clark NHP (GRCNHP) Youth Action Committee, are providing the public an opportunity to "Soar into the Sky" with your kites!
Every year in Washington, DC, thousands of people gather to celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Part of the annual festival is the Blossom Kite Festival celebration, where visitors from all over the country travel to the National Mall and fill the air with these wonders of the sky. GRCNHP wants to bring this taste of Washington D.C. to the shores of the Wabash River. Kite enthusiasts are invited to the grounds of the Clark Memorial for an afternoon of kite flying and other activities. This program corresponds with the “Every Kid Outdoors” initiative which encourages kids of all ages to get out into the outdoors and explore the wonders of their national parks!   This event will be open to kite fliers of all ages and abilities. Participants are encouraged to bring their own kites to show off and fly. Don’t have a kite? A number of kite-making kits will be available for kids to build and decorate kites.   The celebration will begin at the GRCNHP visitor center located at 401 S. 2nd St. Vincennes. Kite making will begin at 1:00 pm, Saturday March 29. There are no fees for any activity throughout the day and the park grounds are open to anyone.
Note: In the event of rain and thunderstorms, the event will be postponed for a weekend in April.

Date: Mar 28, 2026 12:00am to Mar 28, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Memorial Basement Tour

Join park volunteers on a guided tour of the memorial basement! The basement is rarely seen by the visiting public and is only available as part of a scheduled tour. Attendees must be capable of going up and down a narrow staircase and in areas where the floor can be uneven. All attendees must stay with the tour. Young children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Themes cover the cold war, and civil defence shelters, cavelike formations and the history of the memorial building.

Location: Meet at the base of the memorial steps.

Date: Jun 13, 2026 12:00am to Jun 13, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Three Forts Day

Learn how kids lived in Vincennes from the early French, American Revolution, and War of 1812 periods. Musket demonstrations included. 11 am - 4 pm (Eastern Time)

Location: George Rogers Clark NHP

Date: Jun 20, 2026 12:00am to Jun 20, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Park Clean-up

Help clean the park the morning after 4th of July fireworks! Gloves, trash bags and pickers will be available, please wear comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. All minors under 18 must have a form signed by a parent or legal guardian and must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Groups are welcome, please contact the park ahead of time for permission forms if minors will be attending with adults who are not their legal guardians. 

Location: Meet at the Visitor Center at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Date: Jul 5, 2026 12:00am to Jul 5, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Natural Resources Day

Learn more about the natural world including basic plant and track identification. 

Date: Aug 15, 2026 12:00am to Aug 15, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Astronomy Night

Come explore the night sky!

Date: Oct 17, 2026 12:00am to Oct 17, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
401 S. 2nd Street
Vincennes, IN 47591

🏤 Mailing Address:
401 S. 2nd Street
Vincennes, IN 47591

📞 Voice Phone: 8128821776

✉️ Email: GERO_Ranger_Activities@nps.gov

Park Location


👏 Fun Fact
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