Antietam National Battlefield • Maryland

luminaries placed by Maryland Monument with dramatic orange red clouds

wood fence rails with green corn stalks behind fence

stone building with black fence in foreground

three arch stone bridge over Antietam Creek

small white building with cannon in the foreground

one room house covered in snow

a monument of a soldier at sunset

artillery piece sitting on a rock break

fog filling in the low areas of the field at sunset

Antietam Creek flows under a three arch stone bridge blue sky

graves with wreaths leaning against the stone. tall soldier monument with pink orange sunset

dark clouds with tree and obelisk monument

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.

The Memorial Illumination, held in December, features 23,000 candles placed by volunteers, over the north end of the battlefield. Each represents a causality from the battle.
NPS Antietam/BBaracz

Looking east along the south edge of The Cornfield.
NPS Antietam/ BBaracz

The National Cemetery Lodge Building sits just inside the gates of the cemetery.
NPS Antietam/ BBaracz

Burnside Bridge in the snow from the Union side of Antietam Creek.
NPS

Spring at the Battlefield.
NPS Antietam/ BBaracz

The Dunker Church covered in snow.
NPS Antietam/ BBaracz

130th Pennsylvania Monument at Bloody Lane
NPS

Artillery played a key role at Antietam. Over 500 cannon were involved in the fighting.
NPS

View from the visitor center looking toward Bloody Lane at sunset
NPS

Burnside Bridge
NPS Antietam/BBaracz

The Private Soldier Monument stands guard over Antietam National Cemetery on a cold December evening.
NPS Antietam/BBaracz

14th Connecticut Monument, just north of the Sunken Road.
NPS Antietam/ BBaracz

Hours and seasons

Reservations and timed entry

Fees and passes

monument in low light with soldier posted on top

The Annual Memorial Illumination will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2026

132nd Pennsylvania Monument at Bloody Lane

Check out this section for answers to all your questions if you are planning a visit to Antietam National Battlefield.

Artillery Display Near NY State Monument

Here you will find more information on the history of the Battle of Antietam as well as links to our Cultural and Natural Resources.

volunteers clean-up cemetery

There are many opportunities to help at your National Park.

Artillery

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Last updated: October 29, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 158
Sharpsburg, MD 21782

Phone:

301 432-5124

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