2026 Battle Anniversary Events

The Battle of Antietam will be commemorated September 16-20, 2026. A full schedule of tours, hikes, talks, living history, and firing demos will be offered by park staff and volunteers over those days exploring the events that unfolded during and after the Maryland Campaign of 1862.

Program	Description	Location	Time	Duration
Orientation Talks	Overview of MD Campaign.	Visitor Center	10a & 2p	30 Minutes
Battlefield Hike	Prelude to Battle - Learn about the events that led to the Battle of Antietam.	NY State Monument	6p	90 Minutes

Program	Description	Location	Time	Duration
Morning in The Cornfield	Listen to accounts of soldiers describing their combat experience.	Tour Stop 4, The Cornfield	6:45a	45 Minutes
All Day Hike Part 1	Ranger led hike to The Cornfield, West Woods, and Sunken Road.	NY State Monument	9a	3.5 Hours & 3 Miles
All Day Hike Part 2	Ranger led hike exploring the action at the Middle and Lower Bridge and Final Attack.	Antietam National Cemetery	2p	3 Hours & 3 Miles
Orientation Talks	Overview of the MD Campaign.	Visitor Center	10a & 2p	30 Minutes

Ranger Guided Driving Tour

Car caravan tour of the battlefield. Follow the ranger in your vehicle to 3 key sites.

Visitor Center

11a

2Hours

Program	Description	Location	Time	Duration
Orientation Talks	Overview of MD Campaign	Visitor Center	10a & 2p	30 Minutes
Ranger Guided Auto Tour	Car caravan tour of the battlefield. Follow the ranger in your vehicle to 3 key sites.	Visitor Center	11a	2 Hours

Program	Description	Location	Time	Duration
Battlefield Walks	3 Walks following the battle in The Cornfield, West Woods, Sunken Road, Burnside Bridge, & Final Attack.	1st two leave from VC & 3rd hike meets at Tour Stop 8, Burnside Bridge.	9:30a, 11:30a, & 2p	90 Minutes & 2 Miles Each
Orientation Talks	Overview of the MD Campaign	Visitor Center	10a,12p, & 3p	30 Minutes
Weapons Firing Demos	Living history program demonstrating artillery and infantry.	NY State Monument	Arty - 11a&1p Inf - 3p	30 Minutes
Ranger Guided Battlefield Tour	Car caravan tour of the battlefield. Follow the ranger to 3 key sites in your vehicle.	Visitor Center	1:30p	2.5 Hours
National Cemetery Tour	Join a ranger for a guided tour of the cemetery.	Antietam National Cemetery	2:30p	45 Minutes
Photography Programs	Learn about the wet plate photography process used by Alexander Gardner at Antietam.	Visitor Center	11:30am & 2p	45 Minutes
Medical Programs	Living history program about battlefield techniques used at Antietam.	Visitor Center	On-going

Program	Description	Location	Time	Duration
Battlefield Walks	1. Gardner at Antietam 2. Monuments 3. National Cemetery	1.Visitor Center 2.Visitor Center 3. National Cemetery	9:30a 11:30a 2:00p	90 Minutes
Orientation Talks	Overview of the MD Campaign	Visitor Center	10a, 12p, & 3p	30 Minutes
Weapons Firing Demos	Living history program demonstrating artillery and infantry.	NY State Monument	Arty- 11a,1p Inf-3p	30 Minutes
Ranger Guided Tour	Car caravan tour of the battlefield. Follow the ranger in your vehicle to 3 key sites.	Visitor Center	1:30p	2.5 Hours
Civil War Photography	Learn about the wet plate photography process used by Alexander Gardner at Antietam	Visitor Center	11:30a & 2p	30 Minutes
Civil War Medicine	Living history program about battlefield medical techniques used at Antietam	Visitor Center	On-going

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 158
Sharpsburg, MD 21782

Phone:

301 432-5124

2026 Battle Anniversary Events

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2026 Battle Anniversary Events

Wednesday, September 16

Thursday, September 17

Friday, September 18

Saturday, September 19

Sunday, September 20

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Phone:

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