Plan Your Visit

Temporary Operations During COVID-19

As of Thursday, March 26, Monocacy National Battlefield will temporarily shift hours of operation from 8 am to 20 minutes after sunset. Staff will perform only “Primary Mission-Essential Functions” and services. These essential functions relate to law enforcement, the health and safety of staff and visitors, and protection of park resources.

On Monday, March 30, the boardwalk portion of the Gambrill Mill trail will close to allow for construction of a new boardwalk. The closure is expected to last until July 15, 2020.The grass portion of the trail that provides access to the river will remain open during construction. The closure is the final stage in a multi-year project to improve access to the Gambrill Mill trail.

Visitor centers and other public buildings remain closed. Bathrooms are closed. The park will not collect trash, mow, maintain roads or trails, or have staff available to provide information.

The NPS recognizes the critical role the park’s open spaces play during this emergency, and so the park’s roads, trails, and grounds will remain open to the greatest extent possible. That said, visitors must assume a heightened responsibility for their own safety and well-being when normal levels of staffing are not present. We need the public’s help in abiding the CDC guidelines for social distancing and the state’s prohibition of groups of ten or more people.

We also ask that all visitors to the park practice the principles of “Leave no Trace.” Carry out of the park what you carry in; help keep outdoor spaces safe, healthy, and sightly.

These are extraordinary times. The unprecedented steps our society and community are taking in the name of public health will inevitably entail some unwanted physical impacts on the park itself. Grass will not be mowed. If nature intervenes with storms or floods, we may have to close trails, or significant areas of the park. While unpleasant, all of these things are temporary—they can be remedied once the crisis passes. In the meantime, they constitute some of the burden we will all have to shoulder as we work our way, together, through this emergency.

Thomas House — The driveway leading to the Thomas Farm House saw some of the most savage fighting during the Battle of Monocacy.
NPS

Welcome to Monocacy National Battlefield!

Monocacy National Battlefield encompasses several centuries of history, which reflect events of both national and local significance. Here one can experience 1,647 acres of rolling farm fields, historic buildings, and sweeping panoramas along the scenic Monocacy River. Located about one hour from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., little has changed since the 1864 battle. Although the landscape appears rural, the park is located less than two miles south of the city of Frederick, Maryland, which has numerous amenities. The staff at Monocacy National Battlefield is dedicated to helping you plan your visit and is committed to providing an experience that will be enjoyable, educational, and inspirational during your trip. Come Find Your Park at Monocacy National Battlefield!