Antietam National Battlefield, located in Sharpsburg, Maryland, offers a poignant glimpse into American Civil War history. To enhance your visit, understanding the park’s entrance fees and available passes is essential.
Why visit Antietam National Battlefield?
On September 17, 1862, the fields and farms around Sharpsburg, Maryland became the scene of the bloodiest single day in American history. The Battle of Antietam claimed approximately 23,000 casualties in just 12 hours of fighting – more Americans killed and wounded than in the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Spanish-American War combined.
Today, Antietam National Battlefield preserves the landscape where this pivotal clash occurred, a battle that halted Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the North and gave President Abraham Lincoln the victory he needed to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, forever changing the war’s purpose and America’s future.
What to See and Do at Antietam National Battlefield
The best way to experience Antietam is via the 8.5-mile self-guided driving tour, which connects 11 numbered stops across the battlefield. The route follows the chronological flow of the battle from dawn to dusk on September 17, 1862, allowing you to trace the action as it unfolded. Audio tour options are available for rent at the visitor center, or you can download the National Park Service app beforehand.
Key Sites Along the Driving Tour
Dunker Church stands as one of the battlefield’s most recognizable landmarks. This simple whitewashed building marked the center of fierce morning fighting, changing hands multiple times as Union and Confederate forces clashed in the surrounding cornfield. The current structure is a 1962 reconstruction – the original was destroyed by a storm in 1921 – but it occupies the exact spot where thousands fought.
The Cornfield saw some of the morning’s most savage combat. In the 30-acre field north of Dunker Church, opposing lines fired at point-blank range, the corn stalks cut down by bullets as thoroughly as any harvester. One Confederate general later wrote that the corn “was cut as closely as could have been done with a knife.” Walking the trail through this area – especially in late summer when corn grows tall – brings home the terror soldiers must have felt advancing through such exposed terrain.
Bloody Lane, perhaps the battle’s most infamous location, is where Confederate troops occupied a sunken farm road and repulsed Union attacks for nearly four hours. Bodies eventually piled two and three deep in the worn roadbed. Today you can walk along both the Confederate position in the sunken road and the Union approach from the high ground. The contrast between the peaceful farmland and the carnage that occurred here creates a profound emotional impact. Rangers often conduct programs at Bloody Lane, bringing the tactical situation to life.
Burnside Bridge marks where Union General Ambrose Burnside’s troops struggled for hours to cross Antietam Creek against a small Confederate force holding the high ground on the opposite bank. The stone bridge – still standing and functional – became a deadly bottleneck. Eventually Union forces crossed, but the delay allowed Confederate reinforcements to arrive and save Lee’s army from complete destruction. The bridge and surrounding area offer excellent photography opportunities, particularly in autumn when the trees are ablaze with color.
The Visitor Center
Start your visit at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center, which houses a small museum with artifacts, interactive displays, and a detailed fiber-optic map presentation that illuminates troop movements throughout the day. A 26-minute orientation film provides essential context before you head out to the battlefield itself. The bookstore stocks an impressive range of Civil War histories, maps, and guidebooks if you want to dive deeper into specific aspects of the battle.
Walking Trails and Monuments
Beyond the driving tour, Antietam offers several walking trails for those who want a more intimate experience. The Final Attack Trail (a 1.2-mile loop) takes you through the area where Confederate General A.P. Hill’s division arrived just in time to push back the Union’s final assault. The Snavely Ford Trail explores the southern flank where Union forces eventually crossed the creek.
Throughout the battlefield, you’ll encounter more than 300 monuments, markers, and tablets erected by veterans’ groups, state commissions, and the War Department. These range from simple stone markers to elaborate sculptures. The monuments create a visual timeline, with Victorian-era memorials standing alongside more recent interpretive markers.
Antietam National Cemetery
Don’t miss the Antietam National Cemetery, established in 1865 just outside the visitor center. Here, 4,776 Union soldiers are buried, including 1,836 whose names remain unknown. The cemetery’s layout – with curved rows radiating from a central point – creates a solemn, contemplative space. A later private cemetery on the battlefield holds Confederate dead, as national cemeteries initially buried only Union soldiers.
Ranger Programs and Special Events
The park offers ranger-led programs seasonally, including battlefield walks, artillery demonstrations, and evening talks. Check the park’s calendar when planning your visit, as these programs significantly enhance understanding of the battle’s complexity. The park also hosts special events around the battle’s anniversary each September, with living history demonstrations and expanded programming.
How Long to Allow
Most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours at Antietam. If you’re just driving the auto tour with brief stops, allow 90 minutes to 2 hours. Those who want to walk trails, attend ranger programs, or thoroughly explore the visitor center should plan for 3 to 4 hours. Serious Civil War enthusiasts often spend an entire day, bringing lunch to enjoy at one of the scenic picnic areas while contemplating the landscape where history pivoted.
The battlefield is remarkably photogenic in all seasons – spring wildflowers, summer’s green fields, autumn foliage, or winter’s stark beauty each offer different perspectives on this hallowed ground.
Entrance fees
Antietam National Battlefield requires an entrance pass for all visitors. The fee structure is as follows:
- Private Vehicle: $20.00 for a three-day pass
- Motorcycle: $15.00 for a three-day pass
- Per Person (on foot, bicycle, or non-commercial vehicle): $10.00 for a three-day pass
Children aged 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Passes can be purchased at the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center, which operates on a credit/debit card-only basis. The park does not accept cash payments.
Annual and America the Beautiful passes
For frequent visitors or those planning to explore multiple federal recreation sites, consider the following passes:
- Annual Pass: $35.00, valid for one year from the month of purchase, admits the pass holder and passengers in a single private vehicle.
- America the Beautiful Pass: Ranges from $0 to $80, depending on eligibility. This pass grants access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites and covers entrance fees for the pass holder and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. Discounted or free passes are available for seniors, U.S. military members, individuals with permanent disabilities, and 4th-grade students.
Academic fee waivers
Educational institutions and school groups visiting for educational or scientific purposes may qualify for an academic fee waiver. These waivers are not granted automatically; groups must apply in advance. For more information and to request a waiver, contact the park directly.
Commercial and group rates
Commercial tour operators and large groups should be aware of the following fees:
- Commercial Motor Coach (26+ seats): $100.00
- Commercial Mini-bus (16–25 seats): $40.00
- Commercial Sedan (1–6 seats): $25.00
These fees apply to vehicles entering the park with 16 or more passengers.
Tips for visitors
- Visitor Center Hours: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
- Payment Methods: Only credit and debit cards are accepted; cash is not.
- Pass Validity: All passes are valid for three consecutive days from the date of purchase.
- Free Days: The park occasionally participates in fee-free days, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veterans Day.
By understanding these fee structures and pass options, visitors can plan their trips to Antietam National Battlefield more effectively, ensuring a meaningful and cost-efficient experience.
These prices are correct as of August 2025, but subject to change in the future.
