Antietam National Battlefield
Designation: National Battlefield
Location: Maryland
š Park Overview
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.
š¤ Weather Information
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.
š Directions
Ten miles south of I-70 on Maryland Route 65
Images
Placing more than 500 cannons on high ground, both armies were able to effectively strike enemy troop positions at great distances.
Credit: NPS Photo
The National Cemetery Lodge Building sits just inside the gates of the cemetery.
Credit: NPS Antietam/ BBaracz
Spring at the Battlefield.
Credit: NPS Antietam/ BBaracz
Looking east along the south edge of The Cornfield.
Credit: NPS Antietam/ BBaracz
The Dunker Church covered in snow.
Credit: NPS Antietam/ BBaracz
Burnside Bridge in the snow from the Union side of Antietam Creek.
Credit: NPS
130th Pennsylvania Monument at Bloody Lane
Credit: NPS
Artillery played a key role at Antietam. Over 500 cannon were involved in the fighting.
Credit: NPS
View from the visitor center looking toward Bloody Lane at sunset
Credit: NPS
14th Connecticut Monument, just north of the Sunken Road.
Credit: NPS Antietam/ BBaracz
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Jul 6
Partly Cloudy
High: 93.4Ā°F | Low: 73Ā°F
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 6.5 mph
Rain Chance: 74%
UV Index: 7.2
Sunrise: 05:50 AM
Sunset: 08:41 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (49%)
Visibility: 4 mi
Dew Point: 75.7Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 74%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Jul 7
Patchy rain nearby
High: 81Ā°F | Low: 69.4Ā°F
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 6.5 mph
Rain Chance: 78%
UV Index: 6
Sunrise: 05:51 AM
Sunset: 08:40 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (39%)
Visibility: 4 mi
Dew Point: 72.2Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 78%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Jul 8
Patchy rain nearby
High: 75.5Ā°F | Low: 68.4Ā°F
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 5.8 mph
Rain Chance: 86%
UV Index: 5
Sunrise: 05:51 AM
Sunset: 08:40 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (28%)
Visibility: 4 mi
Dew Point: 69.3Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 86%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Snavely Ford Hike
Join a Park Ranger at tour stop 8, the Burnside Bridge, for a 2-hour hike focusing on the movements of Isaac Rodman's Division to the Snavely Ford and their action during the final attack. This 2-mile hike will begin at 1:00pm, rain or shine. Please bring appropriate footwear for uneven terrain.
Date: Apr 11, 2026 12:00am to Apr 11, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Read With A Ranger
Join a staff member for a reading of Fancy Nancy Every Day Is Earth Day by Jane OāConnor. Participants should meet at the park visitor center.Ā The reading will be followed by an interactive activity.
Date: Apr 25, 2026 12:00am to Apr 25, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Battlefield Hike
Join a ranger to learn more about the 61st and 64th New York. This program will cover their attack on the Sunken Road, the fighting on and around the Piper Farm, and the aftermath of the battle. Program will meet at tour stop 7 and will last about two hours and cover about 2 miles.Ā
Date: May 2, 2026 12:00am to May 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Memorial Day Commemoration
Join us at the Antietam National Cemetery for our annual Memorial Day Commemoration Program.Ā The event will start at 11am and conclude at noon.Ā Dr. Tom Clemens will be our keynote speaker this year.Ā Click on the link for more information.
Date: May 25, 2026 12:00am to May 25, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Middle Bridge Hike
Join a Park Ranger at the Newcomer Farmhouse for ranger led hike focusing on the 5thĀ Corps and its role on the western side of the Antietam creek. This 2-mile hike will begin at 1:00pm, rain or shine. Please bring appropriate footwear for uneven terrain.Ā
Date: May 30, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
National Cemetery Tour
Join a park ranger at tour stop 10, Antietam National Cemetery, for a 2-hour program. Participants will learn about the establishment of the National Cemetery and hear stories of the veterans who rest there. Restroom facilities are available at the cemetery.
Date: Jun 6, 2026 12:00am to Jun 6, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Artillery Firing Demonstration
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.
Date: Jun 13, 2026 12:00am to Jun 13, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Artillery Firing Demonstration
Confederate living history volunteers will present artillery firing demonstrations near the New York State Monument at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Date: Jun 14, 2026 12:00am to Jun 14, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Juneteeth Program
Join a park ranger at Antietam National Battlefield at 10:00 am to learn about the connection between the Battle of Antietam and emancipation. This program will last about 30 minutes and meet in the orientation room.
You are also invited to join members of the Friends of Tolsonās Chapel to learn about the origins of Juneteeth, the establishment of Tolsonās Chapel, the use of the Chapel as a Freedmanās Bureau School during Reconstruction, and the role of the Chapel among Sharpsburgās African American community. Program is a drop-in from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and meets at Tolsonās Chapel and School, 111 High St., Sharpsburg, MD, 21782.
Date: Jun 19, 2026 12:00am to Jun 19, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Read with a Ranger: Juneteenth
Join a staff member for a reading of A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor.Ā Participants should meet at the park visitor center at 5831 Dunker Church Road, Sharpsburg, MD 21782. The reading will be followed by an interactive take-home activity.
Date: Jun 20, 2026 12:00am to Jun 20, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
š Physical Address:
5831 Dunker Church Rd.
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
š¤ Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 158
Sharpsburg, MD 21782
š Voice Phone: 3014325124
āļø Email: anti_info@nps.gov