Antietam National Battlefield - National Park Directory

luminaries placed by Maryland Monument with dramatic orange red clouds

The Memorial Illumination, held in December, features 23,000 candles placed by volunteers, over the north end of the battlefield. Each represents a causality from the battle.

stone building with black fence in foreground

The National Cemetery Lodge Building sits just inside the gates of the cemetery.

wood fence rails with green corn stalks behind fence

Looking east along the south edge of The Cornfield.

A line Civil War cannons and a stone wall at Antietam National Battlefield

Placing more than 500 cannons on high ground, both armies were able to effectively strike enemy troop positions at great distances.

three arch stone bridge over Antietam Creek

Burnside Bridge in the snow from the Union side of Antietam Creek.

small white building with cannon in the foreground

Spring at the Battlefield.

The Dunker Church covered in snow.

130th Pennsylvania Monument at Bloody Lane

Artillery played a key role at Antietam. Over 500 cannon were involved in the fighting.

Photos: National Park Service

About Antietam National Battlefield

23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

Quick Facts

State Maryland

Designation National Battlefield

State Code MD

Weather The weather is fairly mild. Summers can be very warm and humid and winters cold and snowy. We have four distinct seasons with the fall and spring being the best…

Location & Map

Antietam National Battlefield is located in Maryland.

Get Directions

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle $20.00

Personal Vehicle/Family: $20.00 for three days

Entrance - Per Person $10.00

Individual: $10.00 for three days. This fee admits one individual in a vehicle and also includes hikers, bicyclists or pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge.

Entrance - Motorcycle $15.00

Valid for 3 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach $100.00

$100 Motor Coach/Commercial Tour Groups with 26 or more people

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus $40.00

$40 per passenger bus with 16-25 people

Commercial Entrance - Sedan $25.00

$25 per passenger bus/sedan with 1-6 people

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups $0.00

To request an Academic Fee Waiver for your group, click on the link for further details.

Operating Hours

The visitor center is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Activities

Biking Road Biking Camping Group Camping Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Self-Guided Tours - Auto Hiking Living History Historic Weapons Demonstration Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

Ten miles south of I-70 on Maryland Route 65

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 5831 Dunker Church Rd., Sharpsburg, MD, 21782

Phone 3014325124

Email anti_info@nps.gov

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park $35.00

If you or your family visit the battlefield more than once a year, this pass is for you. Valid for one year from month of purchase for Antietam National Battlefield only. Admits pass holder and passengers in a single private vehicle.

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building African American Heritage Arts Photography Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite National Cemetery Enslavement Medicine Military Infantry and Militia Artillery US Army Battlefields Monuments and Memorials Presidents Reconstruction Schools and Education Wars and Conflicts Civil War Women's History Trails

Things To Do

The Union Advance Trail at Antietam

Hike the Union Advance Trail to learn about the fighting around the famous Burnside Bridge.

The Confederate Defense It was Confederate Gen. D.R. Jones's division who defended the right flank of Lee's line. Here, the…

Visit Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center

The should be the first stop for every visitor to Antietam. Rangers and volunteers provide maps and information to help…

The Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center opened to the public in the winter of 1963.

Take a short hike on the Tidball Trail

A short walk/hike that is about 1/2 mile roundtrip.

This is a short hike that is uphill. A couple of cannon and benches to sit and take in the…

Take a Short Walk on the Antietam Remembered Trail

A 1/4 mile walk around the area adjacent to the park visitor center that explores connected subjects to the battle.

Visitor Centers

Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center

After an extensive rehab project, the visitor center reopened in September 2023. Due to unforeseen water leaks and humidity issues, all the historic artifacts have…

Hours: If you have any questions before your visit, please call (301) 432-5124 and we will be happy to assist.

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