Antietam National Battlefield
Sharpsburg, MD
Site of the bloodiest single day in American history, 17 September 1862, with an 8.5-mile tour road past Bloody Lane and Burnside Bridge. Park entrance fee; the tour road has pull-offs with room for RVs.
On 17 September 1862, Union and Confederate troops faced each other here; the number of dead, wounded and missing is put at 22,717, which makes it the bloodiest single day in American history. The battlefield covers about 1,300 hectares (3,200 acres) and was set aside for protection in 1890. Nearly 5,000 soldiers rest in the national cemetery (authorized in 1865, with burials from 1867), about 1,800 of them unknown.
Start at the visitor center, built in 1962, with its exhibits and orientation film. The 14 km (8.5 mile) driving tour with eleven stops follows. The stops include Bloody Lane, a sunken road fought over for hours, and Burnside Bridge, a stone arch bridge over Antietam Creek. The Dunker Church is also along the route. Allow at least half a day. The pull-offs along the route have room for RVs too.
- Nearest town
- Sharpsburg, MD
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 39.4735, -77.7447
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Greenbrier State Park - Dogwood CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Antietam National BattlefieldTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Greenbrier State Park - Cedar CampgroundCampsite8 mi from Antietam National Battlefield · 40 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityWaste disposal
- Greenbrier State Park - Birch CampgroundCampsite8 mi from Antietam National BattlefieldTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Greenbrier State Park - Ash CampgroundCampsite8 mi from Antietam National BattlefieldTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Harpers Ferry CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Antietam National BattlefieldTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Brunswick Family CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Antietam National BattlefieldTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Maryland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Antietam National Battlefield?
Antietam National Battlefield is in Sharpsburg, MD, at GPS 39.4735, -77.7447. It is about 10 mi from Harpers Ferry.
Can you camp near Antietam National Battlefield?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Site 5, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 44 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Antietam National Battlefield?
Antietam National Battlefield is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Western Maryland: Antietam, the C&O Canal and Swallow Falls.
What is there to see near Antietam National Battlefield?
Places worth a stop nearby: Shepherdstown (4 mi), Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (10 mi), Fort Frederick State Park (17 mi) and Cunningham Falls State Park (18 mi).
When is the best time to visit Antietam National Battlefield?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)