Gettysburg National Military Park is a National Military Park in Pennsylvania. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 2 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Gettysburg
We matched 2 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Gettysburg. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Mountain Peaks (2)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Gettysburg the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 58° (ENE) at the June solstice and 121° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 302° (WNW) in June to 240° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 74° in summer but only 27° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:29 AM | 8:10 AM | 4:27 PM | 5:09 PM | 243° | 9h 40m |
| February | 7:03 AM | 7:40 AM | 5:08 PM | 5:45 PM | 254° | 10h 43m |
| March | 7:21 AM | 7:57 AM | 6:40 PM | 7:16 PM | 268° | 11h 55m |
| April | 6:32 AM | 7:08 AM | 7:11 PM | 7:47 PM | 284° | 13h 15m |
| May | 5:55 AM | 6:34 AM | 7:39 PM | 8:17 PM | 296° | 14h 22m |
| June | 5:41 AM | 6:21 AM | 7:59 PM | 8:40 PM | 302° | 14h 59m |
| July | 5:54 AM | 6:33 AM | 7:57 PM | 8:37 PM | 299° | 14h 43m |
| August | 6:22 AM | 6:59 AM | 7:30 PM | 8:07 PM | 289° | 13h 45m |
| September | 6:51 AM | 7:26 AM | 6:44 PM | 7:19 PM | 275° | 12h 29m |
| October | 7:20 AM | 7:56 AM | 5:54 PM | 6:31 PM | 260° | 11h 11m |
| November | 6:54 AM | 7:34 AM | 4:14 PM | 4:54 PM | 246° | 10h 00m |
| December | 7:24 AM | 8:07 AM | 4:03 PM | 4:46 PM | 240° | 9h 22m |
Computed for the park's reference point (39.8156, -77.2325); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Gettysburg, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from March through September. June gives the longest window (about 4.8 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 21° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 5 (suburban sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 5:16 AM – 5:26 AM | 0.2 | 11° |
| March | 4:26 AM – 5:46 AM | 1.3 | 18° |
| April | 2:23 AM – 4:53 AM | 2.5 | 21° |
| May | 12:27 AM – 3:57 AM | 3.5 | 21° |
| June | 10:41 PM – 3:31 AM | 4.8 | 21° |
| July | 10:33 PM – 2:13 AM | 3.7 | 21° |
| August | 9:48 PM – 12:08 AM | 2.3 | 21° |
| September | 8:51 PM – 10:11 PM | 1.3 | 18° |
| October | 8:01 PM – 8:11 PM | 0.2 | 12° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
5 Estimated Bortle 5 — Suburban sky. The Milky Way is weak near the horizon and washed out overhead; long exposures pick up a sky glow.
Weather & best time to visit
https://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/weather.htm
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 52% average cloud cover) and December as the cloudiest (66%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
Gettysburg National Military Park is located in Adams County, Pennsylvania. The museum and visitor center is located at 1195 Baltimore Pike (Route 97) with a back entrance from the Taneytown Road (State Rt. 134). From North or South, follow US 15 to Gettysburg and watch for signs to direct you to the National Park Service Museum and Visitor Center. From East or West, drive into Gettysburg on US Rt. 30, turn South on Baltimore Street (Rt. 97), and follow signs to the entrance of the visitor center.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Biking
- Food
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
- Hiking
- Horse Trekking
- Horseback Riding
- Living History
- Reenactments
- Historic Weapons Demonstration
- Junior Ranger Program
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Nearby parks
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