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Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD

Photo: Sswonk, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffIconicOutdoor Adventure

Antietam National Battlefield

5831 Dunker Church Rd · Sharpsburg, MD

Why you should go…

Antietam preserves about 3,000 acres of farmland where Union and Confederate armies fought on September 17, 1862, the bloodiest day in United States history. Start at the visitor center for the exhibits, film and ranger help. Then follow the self-guided 8.5-mile driving tour, which has eleven stops including Dunker Church, the Cornfield, the Sunken Road known as Bloody Lane, and Burnside Bridge. Antietam National Cemetery, next to the park, holds more than 4,900 graves.

  • #civil war battlefield
  • #national park service
  • #driving tour
  • #history
  • #hiking

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Antietam National Battlefield, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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