Lincoln Tomb
Springfield, IL
The granite obelisk tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery where Abraham Lincoln, his wife and three of their sons are buried. Visitors rub the nose of the bronze bust at the entrance for luck. Free.
The Lincoln Tomb is the burial place of Abraham Lincoln in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois, about 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) north of downtown. Lincoln, his wife Mary and three of their sons, Edward, William and Thomas, rest here. The monument is an obelisk about 36 metres (117 feet) high, clad in granite outside, with marble from many regions and countries inside.
It was built from 1868 to 1874, extensively rebuilt in 1899 to 1901 and redesigned inside in Art Deco style in 1930-31. In 1876 two Chicago criminals tried to steal Lincoln's body and hold it for ransom; the attempt failed. In front of the entrance stands a bronze bust of Lincoln; visitors touch its nose and have polished it to a shine. Inside hang bronze tablets, among them one with the Gettysburg Address.
In summer (June to August), according to Lonely Planet, infantry re-enactors perform a ceremony with muskets and flag lowering on Tuesdays at 7 pm; please check whether it is currently held. Also check opening hours in advance.
- Nearest town
- Springfield, IL
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 39.8235, -89.6560
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
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Nearby
© Teemu008 from Palatine, Illinois · CC BY-SA 2.0Lincoln Home National Historic Site
© Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China · CC0Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site
© artistmac · CC BY-SA 2.0Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
© Antony-22 · CC BY-SA 4.0Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Campsites nearby
- Riverside Park CampgroundsCampsite3 mi from Lincoln TombTentsCaravansWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Wheeland ParkCampsite6 mi from Lincoln Tomb
- Double J CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Lincoln TombTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camp One WayCampsite23 mi from Lincoln Tomb
- Group CampgroundCampsite25 mi from Lincoln TombTents
- Family CampgroundCampsite25 mi from Lincoln TombTentsCaravans
All campsites in Illinois · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Lincoln Tomb?
Lincoln Tomb is in Springfield, IL, at GPS 39.8235, -89.6560. It is about 60 mi from Peoria.
Can you camp near Lincoln Tomb?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Riverside Park Campgrounds, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 6 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Lincoln Tomb?
Lincoln Tomb is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Starved Rock canyons and Lincoln’s Springfield.
What is there to see near Lincoln Tomb?
Places worth a stop nearby: Lincoln Home National Historic Site (2 mi), Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site (14 mi), Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (79 mi) and Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (84 mi).
When is the best time to visit Lincoln Tomb?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)