Antietam National Battlefield

Not quite as beautiful as Gettysburg, but the history is just as good. Tons of signs... i just wish they provided more direction as to where things happened. "northeast" doesnt help me without some sort of compass or map. there is even a sign by the visitor center saying that the black signs don't help with storytelling unless you have a great understanding of this battle.... honestly though any other directional cues could easily resolve that. Some really pretty memorials here. some good stories. beautiful place to spend a few hours

A powerful and humbling experience. It’s hard to imagine the horrors that unfolded here, but Antietam National Battlefield does an incredible job helping visitors understand and follow the events of the battle. The driving tour is well laid out, with informative stops and breathtaking views that give you a real sense of the terrain and the stakes. Climbing the lookout towers is a must, the bird’s-eye perspective really helps put the entire battlefield into context. This is a place for reflection and respect. Thousands of soldiers lost their lives here, so while it’s tempting to take photos, please be mindful and keep the selfies to a minimum. An unforgettable visit, educational, emotional, and sobering.

The grounds are well maintained, with a focus on historical alignment. The rangers are very knowledgeable. They easily answered all of my questions, even when I got into the weeds. The only negative was the artifacts are not on display (as of September 2025) due to roof leaks after a remodel. This is a place that should be visited at least once in an American's lifetime. Give yourself three hours if you have a casual interest in history. Allow yourself much more time if you have a strong interest. I spent seven hours, and could have easily spent a second day.

Relics of the war of Independence can be witnessed with detailed scrolls and mentions. The entire drive through is very clean, picturesque and plenty of parking spots. You can park and go for a hike on the trail too.

Absolutely awesome, from the care and maintenance to the volunteers, Antietam was by far my favorite historical park. Each volunteer was friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I learned more from them about Antietam than I ever did in school or college. In fact, on volunteer who explained artillery in a manner that both child and adult could relate and understand actually wrote a book on the subject. I recommend a full day here. We spent 4 hours total and I feel that was a bit short. Bring bug spray, plenty of water, and be prepared to step back into history.

Incredible park. The driving tour is wonderful with a long, but easy to navigate, course that includes many spots you can get out to learn more or even go for a quick hike. This visit, I opted for a walking-only tour and used the many footpaths through the woods, cornfields, and wildflower fields that make up the battlefield. It was really something to be able to trek down bloody lane through the head-high corn towards the sunken road, knowing it's the same path union troops took. Or coming down through the woods, catching a first glimpse of Burnside's bridge, and crossing the Antietam yourself. I walked about 9 miles overall, using a mixture of All Trails and Google Maps to help me navigate the interweaving trails and roadways. If venturing off the paved roadways and tour stops, wear long sleeves, pants, and good boots! Morning dew and leftover rain moisture was prominent in fields and trails alone, and I found one tick trying to catch a ride home with me before I got into the car.

Great place to visit, not large, you can easily cover it in 1-2 hours. Start at the visitor center and watch the film and look at the exhibits, the take a walk around the nearby monuments and even to the first stop, the Dunker Church. The rest is a driving tour where you can see old farms and where the woods and cornfield was. It's such a small area for so much bloodshed. A little farther on is the sunken lane and an observation tower, then a drive down to the lower bridge. Lots of trails extend from here and you can walk on trails all over the property.

Came here after stop in Gettysburg. Really very somber for me. Beautiful park and monuments. A lot of history to soak in. These visits would do much to inspire leaders and citizens that war is horrible and should never be engaged in.

What a wonderful, educational experience the NPS has set up at Antietam. The visitor center has a fantastic 30-min video that plays every half hour on the hour and it gives you all the background you need to fully immerse yourself in the auto tour around the battlefield. The park is extremely well maintained and has a ton of signage detailing every scene before you.

I visited Antietam National Battlefield a couple of weeks ago when I was in the area for a weekend. I learned a lot. I knew the name Antietam, so I'm sure I learned about it in American history class, but it's been a while, so I was very glad to have my refresher on the history of the battle at the site itself. I started with the movie - it's a little less than half an hour, very comprehensive and well done, and a great introduction to the site. Then I explored the gallery area for a bit - not for too long though, since almost all - maybe all?! - of the artifacts had been removed from exhibit. If you've been to Gettysburg or other battlefield sites, the setup will be familiar. There's a visitor center (where the museum, movie, bathrooms, gift shop, and viewing point are located), and they give you a map of the self-driving route when you purchase your ticket (or check in if you have a national park pass). After you're done in the visitor center, you can hop in your car and (using the map they gave you) explore the monuments and other historic sites on the property. You can also walk if you prefer and have the time. So what did I learn? September 17, 1862 - the day the Battle of Antietam took place - remains the single bloodiest day in American history, with 22,717 men dead, wounded, or missing. If you're interested in American history or like to visit sites you've read or learned about, a visit to Antietam is definitely worth it. I wish I'd had a bit more time - there's a lot to see and learn here.

A must-see stop for American Civil War buffs and pretty much every American citizen. Antietam ranks right up there with Gettysburg because it stopped Lee's first invasion of the North and gave Lincoln the chance to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. This bloody conflict changed the war into a fight against slavery. Gettysburg came later and was the larger battle, but Antietam still had 44000 people dead, wounded or missing over the course of 1 day. The visitors center is a great place to start your tour of this battle. There is plenty of parking. The walk up has a timeline built into the walkway telling the major civil war events that help put Antietam into perspective. You enter the building from the middle floor where you can get suggestions and maps from rangers that are pleasant and know the site. Upstairs is a large room with plate glass windows on 3 sides where they describe the battle while visitors overlook the various locations. The lower floor has signage and interactive displays showing the history and cost of the war. When we visited they were recovering from some water damage to the room and several of the displays had signs. There is a gift shop on the middle floor. Overall, this is a great place to learn about the battle and start your driving or walking tour to the various sights around the park. I highly recommend it to all visitors in the area.

Hallowed ground - had a good trip here. I would say that you can't really compare it to other battlefields like Gettysburg bc that would rob Antietam of what it is. Our trip was harmed by a water leak that made the staff remove all the relics from their displays.

An intense and somber, but very important, experience. We opted to do the driving tour, which is organized so you can visit major sites from the battle. There are also hiking/walking routes available too. Key sights included Dunker Church, Burnside Bridge, and the National Cemetery. There are dozens of memorials and monuments throughout to view and reflect. We stopped at the Observation Tower and climbed to the top to take in the full breadth of the view over the battlefield and get a real feel for the space. A powerful place to visit.

This is a profound place that every American should visit. Walking in the cornfields where 23,000 human beings died in the worst one-day battle of the U.S. Civil War simply known by "Antietam" renders a person speechless. This is a sacred burial ground. I pray my country never does this again. There are parts of the battleground being farmed as I write this--commercial corn cultivation is happening now. As it should be, I suppose. I couldn't help but notice that a small variety of red corn is grown here. It's not lost on me that perhaps the massive amount of blood spilled on both sides is reborn in this red corn harvested today. Antietam is thought to be an Algonquian word meaning "swift water". It's the name of a creek near Sharpsburg, MD. The two sides of the confrontation, Union and Confederate, had to cross Antietam Creek to meet in combat in the scattered cornfields that would become the site of the life and death struggle on September 17, 1862. Someone back then decided to term it the battle at Antietam, or just "Antietam", and it stuck. I've always wondered about the name. This national battlefield is vast and can be seen very well by car; it's one of the best driving tours that I've been on. However, one can also walk the battlefield, but be prepared with good footwear and water. The visitor's center is top notch and features a free, must-see film that factually explains the events that led up to this horrific fight. It's shown many times during the day. Go there first and plan your visit accordingly. I recommend climbing the lookout tower at stop 7. This is an extremely family-friendly place, too. Lots of open spaces for kids and many things to see. Bravo, National Park Service, well done.

The battlefield is very well maintained and worthy of exploring. The visitor center is new, or seems that way, and the 27 minute film on the battle is new as of November.2024 and the production quality if great. The visitor center doesn't have a lot of artifacts on display but you can see a lot by walking the grounds or driving the route on the maps available in the center.

Like Gettysburg, we decided to do everything they had to offer and have a nice day learning about history in the process. At the beginning of this tour, you go into a large room with tall windows that overlook a large part of the battlefield that lasts about 30 minutes give or take a few minutes. A tour guide gives you a rundown of each section including the bloody cornfield, which is insane, and still in use today. Antietam was a one-day battle and your Driving/Walking tour takes you in the same direction of the actual battle as it progressed that day. According to the guide, it is the most preserved battlefield and he was not wrong you can still see bullet holes and buildings that have remained untouched by time. Although it was just the one day, some consider it the most casualty-filled in one day of the entire war. This battle along with Gettysburg the following year are considered the two that turned the tide of the war. Once you get the rundown from the tour guide and have an overview of everything you will be seeing on your driving/walking tour you are free to continue. Like the other battle museums, there are plenty of photos and artifacts from the time. It is definitely worth your time to walk through and observe a little piece of history and to add to your knowledge of what it took to get us from then to now. Granted, not as big as Gettysburg, but there is a much greater preservation at this smaller of scale. The memorial cemetery is very well maintained and a hike to get around in of itself. I did find that overall this tour was more walking to see everything where others are easily accessible by car. That is the charm of Antietam, you should get out of your car look around and get a feel for the area. Do yourself a solid and go when the winds have turned and summer is past, this way you will not suffer in the heat. I encourage you to visit any of the National Parks and Museums across the country. Any money you pay for entry or services will be used as a donation to the upkeep and preservation of the locations. All donations help and I hope when you do visit that you enjoy it as much as I did. **The spoken part at the beginning from the Ranger Tour Guide is what I wish I'd gotten in school.

I never realized how beautiful our country is until Dave and I started traveling by RV. Today we drove from magnificent Harper's Ferry to Antietam National Battlefield. Through rolling hills and golden farm fields, this part of Maryland has lots of Historic Landmarks. We drove from one side to the other and I wish I could have stopped and taken more pictures of the Antietam Creek. It made me sad to think of all the lives lost during the Civil War. The town if Sharpsburg has pictures and dates of all Americans who served in all the Wars for their country. America is really "America the Beautiful".

The new visitor center has an excellent museum and a theater with a film that portrays the historical significance of this site. It's a somber unit of the National Park Service, the site of an intensely bloody Civil War battle. Outside, there are monuments to walk around, a park loop to drive and some historic buildings you can go inside.

During a road trip, I stopped by the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland. Four hours later, I had learned so much about the Civil War, the battles, the Lee's Maryland Campaign, and all about Antietam - the bloodiest one-day battle of the American Civil War. I was able to tour Dunker Church, the Burnside Bridge, the North Woods, the East Woods, the Cornfield, the West Woods, the Mumma Farm and Cemetery, Sunken Road, and the amazing visitor's center they have on site. Brad Gottfried, here's to you, sir, for being the best docent around. This is really hallowed ground here and it will humble you and have you in deep thoughts throughout the self-guided vehicle tour and afterwards.

Brilliant curation of a historical space: there is enough there to give you an idea of what happened, but the peaceful, pastoral nature of what remains is a stark contrast to the human horrors that bled out on these fields. There are mostly monuments now, with very many signs which detail what happened where, and to which troops. The visitors center gives a nice overview of the grounds and the video is worth the watch to visualize what happened at this sacred-feeling site. If you follow the numbers for the signs along with the provided map you can get the best overview of the area.

Driving through what was the bloodiest day in American history, before or since, you can see the scale with the massive number of captions and signs, indicating which battalion or division was where, what they did and who commanded them. It's pretty intense. Smooth roads, lots of parking, much of the park is completely handicapped accessible. I had no trouble visiting different parts and seeing where various things happens. I wrote a report on the Antietam battle 40 years ago. It's completely different to be here and experience the same lands where so many perished for their country. I've also been to the Gettysburg battlefield. Sobering. I think that every American needs to see this, just as much as they might visit Hollywood Boulevard or the Statue of Liberty or the Saint Louis Arch. This is America. It's our history. [Review 15601 overall - 646 in Maryland - 1105 of 2021.]

I went to Gettysburg first. Always watch the movie at these battlefields. James Earle Jones narrates this one.The country side here is very pretty.You can drive around the battlefield and stop where you want to. National Park pass covers admission if you have it. Go to the Bavarian Inn for lunch. Oh the toad was right outside the visitor center and he belongs.Later go to the Civil War Medicine Museum in Frederick. With all this under your belt you'll be a Civil War expert

NPS site for a major Civil War battle where 23k soldiers were killed, wounded or missing just from one day of combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam was the Confederate's main Army of Northern Virginia first invasion attempt into the North. Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation not long after on January 1, 1863. Antietam Battlefield Visitor Center is currently closed because of COVID. The Observation Tower is closed for repairs, but is due to be back open very soon. The Dunker Church is not currently accessible but viewable from doorway or windows. This is mostly a driving tour. It's about 8.5 to 9 miles and has 11 stops. Besides the beautiful landscape there are many monuments to the troops and also some individual non-combatants like Clara Barton, who brought nursing aid to the wounded led to the creation of what is now the American National Red Cross. Map available here: https://www.nps.gov/anti/learn/historyculture/monument-map.htm

We came during the last fee-free day of the year (Veterans Day) and it was a good way to introduce the children to a part of history that saw a great number of casualties, and hopefully instill in them to appreciate the freedoms they have today as it came at such a great cost. We started out at the visitor center where the introductory film helped us see the big picture and introduced us to facts we didn't know before about this particular battle. It may our outing to the Burnside Bridge more meaningful and we appreciated the Sunken Lands more as wer visualized where the Confederates would have been and where the Union Army would be approaching. We also hung around to catch the last ranger talk for the day and he did a great job rehashing what was in the movie and adding some more details which really make history come alive. It is definitely a day well spend and a great way to honor veterans who have served in America's wars.

So during the holiday season, when you are driving around rich people's neighborhoods to check out holiday lights, consider stopping by Antietam National Battlefield for the annual Memorial Illumination at Antietam National Battlefield. For one night a year, the park volunteers sets up 23,000 Candles - One for Each Soldier Killed, Wounded or Missing at the Battle of Antietam. The Antietam Illumination began in 1989, held every year on the first Saturday in December. I actually barely paid attention to U.S. History classes but I know that the battle of Antietam was the bloodiest day in U.S. history. It's quite popular and there is a line of cars waiting to do the lighted driving tour of approximately 5 miles. The line can be up to 2 hours long and I suggest you pee beforehand. Vehicles are to use parking lights only, to the extent technology permits, and continue through the event without stopping. Drivers are urged to turn off headlights and drive cautiously. Visitors are prohibited from walking the tour route. Event brochures will be distributed at the event entrance. Contributions will be accepted at the entrance. As you begin the drive, you begin to fully understand the scale of 23,000 deaths, with every turn there are breathtaking views and lights upon lights. While you can't get out and walk, the line of cars move slowly and allow time for pictures. No one will honk if you stop for a few. Everyone there is there to appreciate the beauty of the night. As you see some paper bags on fire, you'll know they use actual candles. If you love Civil War history, holiday lights,night photography, or you might be a pyro, this a beautiful sight to behold. Make sure to go at least once on a romantic night drive.

This is an amazing place to visit! You can start at the visitor's center first and walk/hike around the monument, then drive over to other areas that are historically significant to American history. We went on a rainy day and it made it all even more magically. To be able to walk on the battle field and to stand and take in all the view today to reminisce and honor those who gave their life to the freedom we have to day was amazing. I highly recommend you visit Antietam when you're in the area!

Great historic site that can take the whole day to really get to see everything. At the visitor center, there is a movie detailing the battle and an exhibit. They also have some ranger talks, which I went on. The map has a dozen stops, but with the ranger we went to about 4 of the important ones and he really gave a lot more insight than the signs on site did. If you can go on a talk, I'd recommend it. Otherwise it's pretty much a self-guided tour. Pick up a map from the visitor's center and follow the map to each stop. The map has some info and the signs at the sites do as well. There are some beautiful views of the landscape and a lot of great looking monuments and cannons. This is a must-do for the Civil War fan or a history fan in general. Don't make the mistake I did and think a driving tour would not require sunscreen because you'll be out of the car quite a bit too. You can also skip the visitor center and go on some hiking trails if you're more into nature than the historical aspect. Definitely glad I got to visit.

This is one of the finest preserved full scale battlefields in the United States. Its seductive, Rolling hills, winding creeks & historic structures adorn over 3800 acres! I recommend Fall & Spring as the optimal visiting times, but any time of the year will be an immersive experience.

A fantastic collection of monument and history to commemorate such a significant day in American history. The Battle of Antietam marked the single bloodiest day in American History, with a combined 23,000 dead, wounded, or missing. We stopped at the Visitor Center to show our park pass and watched the video that describes the events and the day of Sept. 16/17, 1862. It was very informational and gave us a great starting point before doing the tour. It was about 25 minutes long, and very worth it. The tour took about 1.5 to 2 hours, and we walked around a good bit to get some pictures. There's so many monuments and trails to go see. The pamphlet was very helpful in guiding us as we experienced this historic landscape. A must see for anyone looking to learn more about the Civil War and local history.

I've been coming for decades and just realized a review might help others. The NPS does a ton with there resources and the on going renovations of the visitor centers are an example. They are taking a long time. You'll need to use the temporary visitor center which is nice. Walkers can easily do the entire battlefield. It's also easily drivable. There's a tower at the Bloody Lane where you can see most of the battlefield. The surrounding area has grown but you'll need to drive for food or goods.

This is a fairly quick battlefield to visit. You can block out 45min-2hr depending on how much time you have. They're now giving out veteran park passes. We have a 4th grader who will also get a park pass from August to August. The visitor's center looks mostly blocked off inside due to COVID, but park rangers are there to help and provide brochures and advice. You can download QR codes to watch and listen to videos for self-guided tours. They have ranger driving tours as well, but we opted for the excellent videos to be our guide. Would visit again.

Very knowledgeable ranger. A lot of signs to guide the tour. Map is very helpful and informative

Great tour yesterday . Friendly staff . Highly recommend . Thank you ! Great experience

A great piece of history that's a somber reminder of the not so perfect past in American history. It was a great place to visit for any history buff.

I'm a Civil War history nut so Antietam has always been on the bucket list. Now that we've moved within a 3 1/2 hr drive away, and as I'm a Bachlor for the weekend I came up for the 160th Anniversary of the battle. Five stars, loved every second of it. The National Park, with partners such as The American Battlefield Trust and others preserved and expand the footprint of the park. I didn't see so much as a cigarette butt or a gum wrapper on the ground. It's as close to 1862 as they can currently make it. You can drive from point to point in the park, or walk the whole thing. It's a far more rolling landscape than I I thought. Devote a full day if you want to do it right. Rangers are very knowledgeable and are more than happy to talk to you. In fact many of the visitors are historians in the own right and will talk to you and answer a question. Very polite group of folks. I highly recommend a visit. Beware there are no bathrooms beyond the visitor center. And I saw some bug monster that could grabbed and flown away with a small dog, so bring bug spray

The Bloodiest Single Day in American history: The Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862) was also called the Battle of Sharpsburg because the North usually associated battle with a nearby physical feature (Antietam Creek); however, the South usually derived it from the town/city closest to the battlefield. This battle halted the Confederate invasion of Maryland, an advance that was regarded as one of the greatest Confederate threats to Washington, D.C. Southern forces were led by General Robert E. Lee and the Northern forces were led by General George B. McClellan. Robert E. Lee had goals to influence the approaching Congressional elections, to impress Europe with a sense of Southern military power, and to detach Maryland (a slave state that had rejected secession) from the Union. It played out like three separate battles, with major action happening in distinct areas at different parts of the day: The Cornfield, Bloody Lane/Sunken Road, Burnside Bridge. The battle left 23,000 men killed or wounded changed the course of the Civil War. Six generals--three Union, three Confederates were killed. This battle is where Clara Barton (Founder of the American Red Cross/Civil War Nurse) earned her nickname "Angel of the Battlefield". In addition to protecting the Federal capital (Washington D.C.), the battle is cited as having influenced Great Britain to not recognize the Confederacy. Pres. Abraham Lincoln used this "Union victory" to issue his Emancipation Proclamation (September 22, 1862) which declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."

Awesome park with breathtaking views and well maintained facilities! Would recommend for all interested

Great opportunity to get outdoors and stroll some gentle slopes and hills and immerse yourself into history. The museum is closed at the visitor center. (Long rennovation), but download an app and you can self tour on your own. I would recommend that you bring a cooler of drinks and pack a lunch, as there is not much in the way of food and drink on the battlefield areas. Very close to Sharpsburg that does have a few places to eat. Careful on the roads as there can be limited visibility and some folks are driving really fast. All of the property was well kept and on a Sunday afternoon, easy to social distance. You can also make a quick stop at the C&O canal and stroll along the potomac river about 10 minutes down the road.

[Coronavirus review] It really isn't that far from the DC area; a bit over an hour. But for anyone seeking a fresh vibe and some fresh air, that little drive will go a long way (and gas out here is cheap). The site is extensive, and includes multiple reconstructed farms as well as monuments and a graveyard connected by various trails. I imagine that the tours that are currently closed are substantive enough that you're really missing something, but you're not paying an entrance fee during the pandemic either. The trails roam through hills and fields and were a good space for dogs. Kids I would be a bit more nervous about owing to the numerous holes dug by whatever the local rodent is; you could fall badly stepping in one of those hidden burrows. Younger kids and pets will be mostly oblivious to the historical significance of the place, but the rest of us can learn quite a bit from one of the uglier parts of our history, and the site conveys a reality that doesn't comport well with any of what our major contemporary political factions might hope for. Politics are heavily on display in the surrounding area, with dual displays of the American and Confederate flags (a combination unthinkable to most of us, I suspect) commonplace, among others. The farmlands housed cornfields and cows, living outdoors in such a way as to make one reflect on the atrocities that our generation will be remembered for by the distant future. I found the views worthwhile, and while I didn't walk every stretch of trail available, there were hours of exploring for anyone so inclined. There are also roads running through parts of the park, so even without a tour bus running it is more accessible for those with mobility limitations than many parks are likely to be. Pretty much anyone ought to get something out of a visit to this quiet field.

An absolutely amazing experience and so well preserved as you step back into time and walk hallowed ground. They are opening up the new welcome center this summer.Do not miss the movie before you start your tour. Walking or driving, this national park is epic. Thank you to those who gave their lives over 160 years ago.

We have been to a number of Civil War Battlefields but, I have to say this is this best so far. We started at the visitor's center on a clear beautiful day. We watched the film first and then toured the museum. We met one of the rangers, Bill, and he gave us a lot of helpful information about the Battlefield. We decided to try something different and buy the CD driving tour. It was very much worth the price as it is very well done. Plan on a minimum of 3 hours to tour the battlefield or longer if you want to spend time in Dunker Church or walk the cemetery. It is a very moving experience so you do not want to rush through.

Exemplary battlefield. See for yourself where the Confederacy's Stonewall Jackson squared off with Hooker along the Sunken Road. The fields of bloody annihilation still lie the way they looked 150 years ago! There is a visitors' center (closes too early), maps, shrines, monuments, battlement defenses, rolling hills, paths, Dunker Church and a watchtower to climb so you can see where carnage happened in 1862. Lots of hiking! Rebel review: 5 star site

I knew very little about Antietam before my visit but came away having learned a lot. Having recently visited Gettysburg, I found Antietam to actually before more informative and interest. While the visitor center is small and rather simple, I highly recommend listening to the park ranger's talk that is given in the upper observation area. She was very well spoken and told the story of the area and battle in a fantastic manner. After she spoke I set out to look at the monuments and walk some of the trails. I ended up crossing the hills on foot from Bloody Land past Roulette Farm and up towards the main road; this is an up and downhill trek but gave me a perspective of what the soldiers experienced while trying to fight. I can't imagine what it was like for that many people to be trying to fight all while crossing that terrain. Overall, it was a great visit. I spent about 4 hours here and would suggest anyone who visits spend at least 2 hours at the park. One could spend all day here if they wanted.

Fascinating history, beautiful landscape, without the commercialization you'd find at Gettysburg. I can spend a whole day here and not get to see everything. Definitely worth a visit.

I was driving by and stopped in to the Battlefield! What a gem! I love history and the park rangers are amazing! I did the driving tour so was given the map and route and there is plenty of room to pull over and walk to the monuments, cemetery and sites! I didn't get a chance to see the movie, but heard it was awesome! The gift shop was well stocked. I loved how well the park was laid out, monuments and historic buildings preserved, and the cemetery very respectful. I highly recommend you stop for a spell and embrace history.

Great park, not commercialized. Will get good idea of what happened on the bloodiest day of the civil war.

America's bloodiest single day of fighting and the battle that encouraged Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Of all the major battlefields of the war, this is one of the best preserved. You can drive or walk much of it in a few hours, with various landmarks showing you the way. Even a speed tour will get you to most places in under an hour. I started at the visitor's center to pickup some brochures and listen to the park ranger speak in the auditorium overlooking the battlefield. I highly recommend it; he gave an exciting and educational beginning to the tour. From there I drove over the tour route recommended in my guide, stopping at Dunker Church and infamous names like The Cornfield, Bloody Lane, and Burnside's Bridge. At some locations I found volunteer guides who explained that particular niche of the battlefield. Given Antietam's farmland is likely reminiscent of what it looked like 150 years ago, it's easy to close your eyes and step back in time. But don't stay in the car the entire time. While the more famous places have parking lots, there are plenty of nooks that can only be seen on foot. Monuments donated by Civil War veteran organizations abound in many otherwise empty fields, with statements such as 'this monument stands on the line of companies; lost 38 Killed and Mortally Wounded'. It's incredibly poignant to stand on the same ground.

Good food , nice people. Wish they were open a lil later sometimes but I still like the place!

Pristine battlefield, auto tour and private tours available, currently visitor center still under construction, will be incredible when finished ! ( know someone who got a sneak peek)

The gophers are so cute! I love watching them bounding around the fields...are these perhaps the souls of departed soldiers reincarnated into gopher form? Antietam is a pretty cool battlefield to tour. It doesn't appear to be as extensive as Gettysburg and the monuments aren't as large, but it is still a wonderful car tour to do. There are several notable sites to see, Dunker Church, Bloody Lane (and observation tower), Burnside Bridge, and the Antietam National Cemetery. All are worth getting out of the car to walk around and view for a bit. Even though most of the battlefield sites are now green fields or corn fields, it's interesting to read about what happened at each site and to reflect. It's all very peaceful, serene, and calm. Do get a map from the National Historic Park Vistor's center, it helps with navigation.

This is such a beautiful and serene place that it's hard to imagine the horror that occurred here in 1862! However, because of photos taken after the battle it's possible to stand near Dunker Church or Bloody Lane and realize that someone gave their life on the spot that you now occupy! There's a nice little visitor center that shows a 27 minute film that gives an introduction to the battle! We decided to do the self guided tour after that! Just setting a leisurely pace, we spent 2 1/2 hours covering the battlefield! Could have spent more but it was starting to get late! One stop you must make is Burnsides Bridge! When you look down from the Confederate point of view and then proceed down to the bridge and look up the hill from the Union perspective I could only wonder what the Union generals were thinking and the courage it must have taken to continually try to cross that bridge!

Great food and service. Good stop before heading to battlefield, or river. Would recommend to anyone traveling through the area

Came here for a work trip and at first wasn't overly excited about it - I'm not a history/civil war buff at all, but I ended up learning so much and enjoying the tour. We started off at the visitor center which has a museum on the lower level and a gift shop on the main level. Our tour guide was very knowledge about this historic day, September 17th, 1962 (the bloodiest single day in American military history) and I'm glad I visited this historic site! I highly recommend it and even if you're not that much into history/civil war events, you will learn a lot and that alone is worth the trip.

Antietam National Battlefield is one of our favorite battlefields to visit in the area. It is so large and expansive I feel like you find something new every time you go. The rangers on staff are helpful and knowledgeable and were happy to talk to my 10-year-old to his heart's content. The museum inside is small but does have some good information. It isn't particularly riveting or exciting for little kids, but my husband and I found it interesting. They have a great little shop as well. The area that encompasses the battlefield includes so many different things to see. There are different buildings to explore and houses that sit on the property in different locations. It is truly huge and there's no way you could see everything in one visit unless you kept a really focused itinerary.

I visited the Antietam national battlefield on a recent visit in late September 2016. Antietam was a major battle venue of the American Civil War, which saw casualties massing 23,000+ between the two sides. During my time here visiting Antietam national battlefield and doing the drive tour through the battlefield, knowing that 23,000+ soldiers from north the union and the confederacy died during this conflict gave me pause to reflect. It was a brisk Tuesday afternoon when I arrived here in the small rural town of Sharpsburg, MD. The experience started at the visitor's center, where you got introduced to the exhibits in the lobby. Here at the lobby area, you'd pay $10 entry fee, which helps the national park service in their continuous and tireless efforts to preserve and promote United States historic sites for the current and future generations. Not sure if they take credit cards or not, but I myself shelled out cash for this particular transaction. Maybe I should have asked. Oh well. We then proceeded to the theater, where visitors were treated to a short film about the actual battle. It was interesting how the two sides were so different in their views on freedom, when it came to the issues of slavery, to the point where they were willing to go to war over it. After the film, everyone was treated to a national park service ranger talk, which lasted about 15 minutes or so. We then were free to do the drive tour at our leisure. The Antietam national battlefield is one of the most bloodiest American Civil war campaigns in US History. We were reminded of that during the national park ranger talk, as well as in the film documentary. We were also reminded that the men who fought on either side was that of fathers, sons, brothers, and even cousins, who firmly believe the cause for what's right. Antietam national battlefield is located within the small rural town of Sharpsburg, Maryland. Upon arrival to the visitor's center, there was a good amount of parking spaces available, but not large enough to accommodate a large unannounced group arriving all at the same time. My guess would be the film and national park ranger talk would last not more than 45 minutes and would go on to the driving tour of the battlefield, so that would definitely free up parking space at the visitor's center. Plus, most people would visit Antietam on the weekend, as opposed to the weekday afternoon - unless you are on vacation, like me. On the driving tour of the battlefield itself, there were many historic markers that tells of the many military units that make up the union front and the confederacy. One exhibit of interest was that of the church, which was the staging ground for the confederacy. The national park ranger talked about the sunken road, which I eventually found out was an early version of trench warfare, used decades before World War I in early 1914. The battle for Antietam last for about 3 days, when the union sought to declare victory over its enemy. The observation tower, was interesting and unique. It wasn't part of the actual battlefield experience back in 1861, but it was built decades after to gain some perspective for the war itself. I ended up climbing up the tower, which was about 12 flights up old steel steps, to find nice picturesque views of the battlefield area and surrounding vistas. Also on the tour was the bridge that the union used to mount their offensives against the confederate south. Nearby that was a monument to President William McKinley. The film and national park ranger talk took collectively about 45 minutes. I probably spent about a good 90 minutes doing the driving tour while talking photos and remembering the sacrifices that these brave Americans did for their country, regardless of being union north or confederate south. They fought for what they believed is right and that's very admirable. For me, it was an educational experience along with just being able to gain more historical and personal perspective. Current day Freedom isn't free when we look back on what it took to get us here today. If you are in the area and were planning on visiting Antietam national battlefield, you should do it. Also consider visiting Harper's Ferry national park as well, since it's quite close together. About an hour or so drive in between. The overall experience has been great and hope you will have an enhanced and enlightened experience here, as I have. 5 stars. Support local! A+

This is an amazing resource for hiking, biking, and learning about our nations history in a very relaxed setting. I thought I knew more about this battle than I actually did. It's worth the visit. I highly recommend visiting the Visitor's Center and supporting the effort with an annual pass even though it is not mandatory.

When I was driving down to see my boy in Asheville, I noticed signs on I-81S mentioning Antietam National Battlefield. Having seen "Glory" in middle school, I had to go visit. If I could describe the battlefield in two words, it'd be, "hauntingly peaceful." It's one thing to know the significance of that moment during the American Civil War, but another to stand on the soil where so much bloodshed occurred. And having visited the Monday after this past Election Day, it completely cemented many, and much needed, perspectives that I know will help for a long time to come. Def. worth the trip, and be sure to get outta your car and walk some of the battlefield grounds.