Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center
Location: One mile north of Sharpsburg, MD, on MD 65
Hours: Park and visitors' center are open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 1 to May 31; 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 1 to August 31, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Fee: $2 per person for three-day pass; $4 per family for three-day pass; children under 16, free.
Side Trips
Gathland State Park: www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/gathland.html
A day-use park near Burkittsville, Maryland, this is the site of the Civil War Correspondents Memorial Arch. In addition, the Appalachian Trail traverses this park. The park is located off MD 67 on the way from Harpers Ferry.
Boonsborough Museum of History : 113 North Main St., Boonsboro, MD, 21713; (301) 432-6969
This small, privately run museum is open Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or by special appointment, and is well worth a visit. You'll find an extensive display of Civil War relics, rare books, documents, firearms, and answers to most of your Civil War questions from museum-owner/director Doug Bast.
Hikes: There are two main hiking trails on the southern edge of the park near the Burnside Bridge. Snavely's Ford Trail is 2.5 miles long and has a steep hill at the end, which is somewhat strenuous. Sherrick Farm Trail is 2.25 miles and less strenuous.
Online Resources
National Park Service
www.nps.gov/anti
Washington County Visitors Bureau
www.marylandmemories.org
Special Events
Special events are held on the anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, September 17. In addition, an Independence Day Commemoration is held on the Saturday closest to July 4th, and the Memorial Illumination is held on the first Saturday in December.
Directions to Next Stop
Antietam National Battlefield to Gettysburg National Military Park: Total distance: 45 miles. Estimated driving time: one hour, 30 minutes.
Turn left out of the park onto North Church St. (MD 65).
Turn left onto Main St. (MD 34).
Turn right onto U.S. 40 ALT.
Turn left onto Pleasant Walk Rd.
Pleasant Walk Rd. becomes Stottlemeyer Rd.
Turn right onto MD 77.
Merge onto U.S. 15 North.
Merge onto PA 134 North (Taneytown Rd.).
Turn left onto PA 134 North (Taneytown Rd.).
Turn left into visitors' center.
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