Last updated: October 8, 2026
Place
Gathland State Park
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Quick Facts
Location:
900 Arnoldstown Road, Jefferson, MD 21755
Significance:
Gathland State Park preserves Civil War history and honors wartime journalism, connecting cultural heritage to the Chesapeake Bay watershed through trails and interpretive landscapes.
Designation:
Maryland State Park; Chesapeake Gateways Network Site
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
5 listed
Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Parking - Auto, Restroom - Accessible, Tent Campsites, Water - Drinking/Potable
Perched along the ridgeline of South Mountain, Gathland State Park preserves the legacy of Civil War journalist and author George Alfred Townsend. Once the site of his mountain estate, the park features the striking War Correspondents Memorial Arch, a monument dedicated to journalists who died in combat. As a Chesapeake Gateways Network Site, Gathland State Park connects visitors to the cultural and historical narratives of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with ties to the surrounding landscape and regional heritage.
Interpretive displays and walking trails guide guests through the ruins of Townsend’s estate, offering insight into nineteenth-century life, architecture, and the impact of wartime reporting. The park sits along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, inviting hikers and history lovers alike to explore this scenic section of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Gathland State Park is also part of the Civil War Trails program and the South Mountain Battlefield, deepening its ties to the broader network of protected heritage landscapes. As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, it serves as a portal for discovering the intertwined stories of people, places, and nature that define the Bay watershed.
Plan your visit and learn more about the park’s rich history and recreational offerings by visiting the park’s website.
Interpretive displays and walking trails guide guests through the ruins of Townsend’s estate, offering insight into nineteenth-century life, architecture, and the impact of wartime reporting. The park sits along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, inviting hikers and history lovers alike to explore this scenic section of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Gathland State Park is also part of the Civil War Trails program and the South Mountain Battlefield, deepening its ties to the broader network of protected heritage landscapes. As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, it serves as a portal for discovering the intertwined stories of people, places, and nature that define the Bay watershed.
Plan your visit and learn more about the park’s rich history and recreational offerings by visiting the park’s website.
This location does not accept the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Entrance fees and ticket policies are set independently by the managing partner, as detailed on their website.