Antietam National Battlefield: Fees, Hours, Camping and How to Get There

TypeNational Battlefield

StateMaryland

Entrance fee$20 per vehicle

CampgroundsNone

Nearest national parkShenandoah (73 mi)

Closest airportHGR (17 mi)

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. Photo: NPS Antietam/BBaracz

Antietam National Battlefield is a national battlefield run by the National Park Service in Maryland.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

The Union Advance Trail at Antietam (30 to 90 Minutes): Hike the Union Advance Trail to learn about the fighting around the famous Burnside Bridge.
Visit Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center (20 Minutes): The should be the first stop for every visitor to Antietam. Rangers and volunteers provide maps and information to help you get off on the right path for your visit.
Take a short hike on the Tidball Trail (20 to 60 Minutes): A short walk/hike that is about 1/2 mile roundtrip.
Take a Short Walk on the Antietam Remembered Trail (10 to 45 Minutes): A 1/4 mile walk around the area adjacent to the park visitor center that explores connected subjects to the battle.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. The park grounds and park tour roads close at dark. (20 minutes after sunset).

Getting there

Ten miles south of I-70 on Maryland Route 65

Airport	City	Drive to the park	Straight-line miles	Type
Hagerstown Regional Richard A Henson Field (HGR)	Hagerstown, MD	No road route	17	Regional
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)	Dulles, VA	No road route	39	Large hub
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)	Washington, DC	No road route	57	Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center: Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. If you have any questions before your visit, please call (301) 432-5124 and we will be happy to assist.

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 times to visit the battlefield.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.