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Washington Monument State Park, Middletown, MD

Photo: Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

Washington Monument State Park

A hilltop state park on South Mountain whose centerpiece is a stone tower honoring George Washington.

6620 Zittlestown Road, Middletown, MD 21769 · Middletown, MD

About Washington Monument State Park

This Maryland state park sits on the crest of South Mountain and takes its name from an early monument to George Washington, one of the first of its kind. The stone tower was first raised by residents of Boonsboro in 1827 and remains the park's focal point. The hilltop is a popular spot for watching migrating hawks, eagles, and falcons, with mid-September often offering the best sightings. Visitors can hike, picnic, and stop at the park museum. The main office for South Mountain State Battlefield is also based here, where guests can learn about the first major Civil War clash in Maryland. The Appalachian Trail runs nearby. The main lot, picnic pavilion, and museum are wheelchair accessible, though the comfort station is not.

  • #state park
  • #hiking
  • #bird watching
  • #picnicking
  • #history

What's around here?

The closest stops to Washington Monument State Park, 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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    Check prices

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  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Antietam National Battlefield

    Under $25

    Drive or walk the fields where the Battle of Antietam was fought on September 17, 1862, from Dunker Church to Burnside Bridge.

    6.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

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    Gambrill State Park

    Under $25

    Drive up Catoctin Mountain to the stone overlooks on 1,600-foot High Knob, then hike or mountain bike 16 miles of rocky trails above Frederick.

    7.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
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    Hagerstown, Maryland

    No admission fee

    A Western Maryland city surrounded by Civil War battlefields, state parks, and the Appalachian Trail.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    11 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

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