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.
Photo: NPS Antietam/BBaracz
Antietam National Battlefield
23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862.
- LocationSharpsburg, MD
- Entrance $20 private vehicle
- HoursDaily, Sunrise to Sunset
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Weather now89°F Sunny
- Alerts 1 active alert
Overview
Topics
- African American Heritage
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- Battlefields
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Civil War
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13 more topics
- Infantry and Militia
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Alerts (1)
InformationSherrick Farm Trail Detour
There is a detour on the trail due to downed trees. Our staff is working diligently to remove these from the trail.
Things to Do
17 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Camping
- Wildlife Watching
- Biking
- Guided Tours
- Birdwatching
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Group Camping
- Historic Weapons Demonstration
- Living History
Show 5 more activities
Camping
1 campground listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
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Rohrbach Group Campground
Reservable Campground
THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC CAMPGROUND. ONLY SCOUTS AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS MAY USE ROHRBACH CAMPGROUND. Antietam National Battlefield is the site of the bloodiest one day…
Reserve on Recreation.gov- Hiking
- Biking
- Historic & Cultural Site
- Interpretive Programs
Details
Fees: Entrance Fee. Antietam National Battlefield charges an entrance fee separate from camping fees. You may pay the fee upon arrival or purchase in advance. The park also honors America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal…
Overview
THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC CAMPGROUND. ONLY SCOUTS AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS MAY USE ROHRBACH CAMPGROUND.
Antietam National Battlefield is the site of the bloodiest one day battle in American history. After twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862, 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
Rohrbach Campground is part of the Antietam National Battlefield. It is a walk-in, primitive camping area available to scouts and civic organization groups only (see "Know Before You Go," below, for individual camping options in the area). The campground has 10 sites, each of which is provided with a fire ring and picnic tables and space to accommodate a maximum of 30 people. The campground is typically open from April through November.
Recreation
Recreational activities in Antietam National Battlefield include hiking and attending a park ranger program or pre-arranging a ranger led activity. There are 15 miles (24 km) of trails to explore with the Bloody Lane and Final Attack Trails being the most popular. Biking the battlefield tour road is another popular activity while visiting Antietam. Riders under the age of 16 are required to wear helmets.
Facilities
All sites are available for advance reservation only. There are no first-come, first-served sites. Each campsite offers a fire ring and picnic tables and space to accommodate a maximum of 30 people. Pit toilets and handwashing stations are available at the campground and indoor facilities are located at the Antietam National Cemetery and the visitor center. Bring your own potable water. Drinking water is not provided at the campground, there is access to a spicket with drinkable water for filling containers located behind the park visitor center at 5831 Dunker Church Rd. Sharpsburg, Maryland 21782.
Natural Features
The battlefield, located in the Cumberland Valley of western Maryland, encompasses over 3,250 acres of farmland, pastures, woodlots and limestone forests. Antietam's diverse landscape provides a noteworthy habitat for wildlife observation.
During a typical day at the battlefield, visitors are most likely to see woodchucks and white-tailed deer. The open fields provide great habitat for a range of birds such as Eastern Bluebirds, Horned Larks and Grasshopper Sparrows. Small stands of trees and wooded areas attract Pileated Woodpeckers, various owls and Red-Tailed Hawks.
Nearby Attractions
Visit the park's Things to Do page.
Charges & Cancellations
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change your reservation. Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of arrival date incur a $10 cancellation fee. Within 48 hours of arrival, a $10 cancellation fee and the first night's fee are charged.
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center
Facility
The park visitor center is a great place to begin your visit. We have a film that runs every 1/2 hour, small museum, book store, and restrooms. Park staff can provide a…
5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, MD (301) 432-5124 Directions
Details
The park visitor center is a great place to begin your visit. We have a film that runs every 1/2 hour, small museum, book store, and restrooms. Park staff can provide a map and directions on the best way to tour the battlefield.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Daily, Sunrise to Sunset · Park Grounds and Roads
Hours by area (2)
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Park Grounds and RoadsDaily, Sunrise to Sunset
The park grounds and park tour roads close at dark. (20 minutes after sunset).
Monday Sunrise to Sunset Tuesday Sunrise to Sunset Wednesday Sunrise to Sunset Thursday Sunrise to Sunset Friday Sunrise to Sunset Saturday Sunrise to Sunset Sunday Sunrise to Sunset -
Antietam National Battlefield Visitor CenterDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
The visitor center is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance fees
- $20Private Vehicle
- $15Motorcycle
- $10Per Person
All 7 fees & details
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Private Vehicle$20
Personal Vehicle/Family: $20.00 for three days
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Per Person$10
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.
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Motorcycle$15
Valid for 3 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
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Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach$100
$100 Motor Coach/Commercial Tour Groups with 26 or more people
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Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus$40
$40 per passenger bus with 16-25 people
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Commercial Entrance - Sedan$25
$25 per passenger bus/sedan with 1-6 people
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Education/Academic GroupsFree
To request an Academic Fee Waiver for your group, click on the link for further details.
Passes
- $35Annual Entrance - Park
Pass details
- Annual Entrance - Park
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.
Weather
89°F
Sunny · feels like 85°
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Today
90° 58°
Overcast9% rain -
Tomorrow
90° 62°
Overcast72% rain
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Saturday
71° 56°
Overcast19% rain
Updated 3 hr ago
What to expect by season
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.
Contact the park
Upcoming Events
4 coming up-
Artillery Firing Demonstration
About
Volunteers portraying members of Battery B, 4th US will present artillery firing demonstrations near the New York State Monument at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
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Artillery Firing Demonstration
About
Confederate living history volunteers will present artillery firing demonstrations near the New York State Monument at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
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Book Reading
About
Join us for a children's picture book reading of “For a Soldier at Antietam” at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center, followed by a short question and answer session with the author and a make and take activity.
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Memorial Illumination
Event page for Memorial Illumination (opens in a new tab)About
Antietam National Battlefield will host the Annual Memorial Illumination on Saturday, December 5, 2026 to honor the 23,000 casualties from the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862.
Photos
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Burnside Bridge in the snow from the Union side of Antietam Creek. — NPS -
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2 more photos
Getting There
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
Ten miles south of I-70 on Maryland Route 65
Mailing address: P.O. Box 158, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
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