“Some landscapes whisper their history.
Antietam speaks it aloud.”
The fields around Antietam Creek look peaceful today, but on September 17, 1862, they shook with the deadliest single day in American history. Cornfields burned, churchyards filled with smoke, and entire units vanished within minutes. It was a day that changed the Civil War and forced a turning point in the nation’s story.
Antietam is a place where strategy, sacrifice, and human grit still feel close to the surface. Corn stalks rustle where soldiers once advanced in lines. Stone bridges hold the weight of history. And the ridges and farms that shaped the battle help you understand why this fight unfolded the way it did.
With this Antietam self-guided driving audio tour, your car becomes your historian. The narration brings the battle to life as you follow the official battlefield route at your own pace. You get the freedom to pause, reflect, or simply take in the scenery between stories that unfold right where they happened.
You will experience defining locations of the battle, including the West Woods, where confusion and counterattacks cost thousands of lives. The Mumma Farm, burned by retreating Confederates to prevent its use as cover. Bloody Lane, where the sunken farm road became a killing ground. Piper Farm, used as a Confederate headquarters during the fighting. And Burnside Bridge, where one determined Union assault battled for hours to cross a single stone span.
The tour points out monuments like Hawkins’ Zouaves, honoring the fierce Ninth New York, and leads you to the solemn Antietam National Cemetery, where the final chapter of the day is written in stone.
After-tour side effects may include:
Googling every Civil War battlefield within driving distance, retelling Antietam facts to unsuspecting friends, and realizing how much one day in 1862 reshaped the country.
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Antietam National Battlefield Map
Where To Start?
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome
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Dunker Church
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General McClellan
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General Mansfield
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Outflanking the Enemy
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East Woods
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The Union Breaks Through
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Canons of Battery B
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Indiana State Monument
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New Jersey's Monument
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Massachusetts' Monument
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West Woods
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Pennsylvania Monument
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Maryland
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Mumma Farm and Cemetery
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Bee In Your Bonnet?
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Sunken Road
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Piles of Dead
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Observation Tower
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Irish Brigade
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Modern Weaponry
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Antietam Journalism
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Otto and Sherrick Farms
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Burnside Bridge
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McKinley Monument
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Bottlenecked at the Bridge
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Burnside’s Sideburns
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9th New York Infantry Monument
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Tolson Chapel
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Piper House
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Mount Calvary Lutheran Cemetery
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Antietam National Cemetery
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Yes, Antietam Battlefield is worth visiting for its historical significance and well-preserved Civil War landscapes.
The length of the Antietam battlefield tour can vary, but a thorough visit may take several hours to explore its key sites.
The Battle of Antietam resulted in approximately 23,000 casualties, making it one of the bloodiest battles in American history.
The Battle of Antietam is often considered one of the bloodiest single-day battles in history due to the high number of casualties.
The battle is named after Antietam Creek, which runs through the area where the battle took place.
Yes, Abraham Lincoln visited Antietam several days after the battle and used it as an opportunity to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.
Antietam National Battlefield is owned and managed by the National Park Service.
Yes, visitors can drive through the Antietam battlefield to explore its various sites and monuments.
The time it takes to go through Antietam battlefield can vary based on your interests, but a comprehensive visit could take a few hours.
There are around 96 monuments and markers at Antietam National Battlefield, commemorating various units and individuals who participated in the battle.
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Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Valid for multiple visits up to 1 year after purchase.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
