Antietam National Battlefield & Cemetery
The Battle of Antietam, or Sharpsburg, on September 17, 1862, was the tragic culmination of Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North. That one fateful day more than 23,110 men were killed, wounded, or listed as missing. Approximately 4,000 were killed, and in the days that followed, many more died of wounds or disease. The peaceful village of Sharpsburg turned into a huge hospital and burial ground extending for miles in all directions.
The Union victory spurred Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation as well. Today, the site commemorates the battlefield and allows for tours that detail the details of the battle, and its significance in American history.
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Hours
Open All Year
The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Park Grounds are open daylight hours.
Special Programs:
Memorial Day Commemoration, Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend
Independence Day Commemoration (First Saturday in July)
Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg), September 17
The Memorial Illumination (First Saturday in December)
(Note: Many places fill to capacity on busy, nice weather days, especially holiday weekends. Please call ahead or visit the official website to get the most up-to-date information before visiting.)
Fees
Three Day Pass
$5.00 Per Person (age 16 or older; 15 and under FREE)
$10.00 Per Vehicle
Annual Pass to Antietam Battlefield
$30.00
Valid for one year from month of purchase for Antietam National Battlefield only. Admits pass holder and passengers in a single private vehicle.
America The Beautiful Pass
$80.00
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of sale. The pass admits the pass holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas.
Military Passes
Free
This is a free pass to active duty military personal and their dependents. In order to qualify for the pass, the military member must present a valid Department of Defense, CAC Card. Dependents must present a valid Department of Defense ID (DD Form 1173) that identifies the dependent and his or her sponsor. Some members of the Military Reserve might not be eligible.
We issue and honor the Interagency Senior and Interagency Access Passes.
Activities
Audiovisual Program: A 26-minute orientation film narrated by James Earl Jones is shown on the hour and the half hour. Every day at 12:00 noon a longer, one hour version of this documentary about the battle of Antietam is shown in the visitor center theater.
Tours: The best way to view the battlefield is to take the self-guided driving tour. The tour road is 8½ miles long with 11 stops. Most visitors drive the route, but walking and biking are encouraged. Audiotape or CD programs, which enhance the self-guided tour, may be purchased from the bookstore.
Interpretive Programs: Talks are conducted daily by park rangers. During the summer season Ranger programs are expanded and scheduled more often. Check at the Visitor Center for a daily schedule.
Other activities include: biking, horseback riding, fishing, and boating.
History
Location of the Battle of Antietam. Visit nps.gov/anti to learn more about this historical event.
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