Selma to Montgomery, Alabama

Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail

The 54-mile trail follows the 1965 marches for voting rights. After marchers were attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on "Bloody Sunday," national outrage helped pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Official visitor website

All landmarks

The story

Civil Rights & Social Change

Why it matters

The 54-mile trail follows the 1965 marches for voting rights. After marchers were attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on "Bloody Sunday," national outrage helped pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Why it may matter to you

The right to vote you gained with citizenship was fought for here. It is one of the clearest stories about why voting matters.

The fuller story

Activists, including Jimmie Lee Jackson, Rev. James Reeb, and Viola Liuzzo, were killed in connection with the campaign. Voting rules continue to be debated in courts and legislatures.

Plan your visit

Hours, prices, reservations, and closures change. Check the official visitor website.

Time to allow: A full day to see the interpretive centers and drive the route (our estimate)
Setting: Indoor and outdoor
Tickets and reservations: Interpretive center hours vary. Check the official visitor website.
Getting there: A car is needed; the trail follows U.S. Highway 80 between Selma and Montgomery.
With family: Mostly driving between sites; some content is intense.
Seasons and weather: Summers are hot and humid.
Accessibility: Accessibility information from the operator(opens nps.gov in a new tab)

Times are estimates and distances are straight-line. Citizen Navigator is an independent educational resource. Visitor access and conditions change. Confirm current details with the destination's official operator.