About Sharpsburg, Maryland
Sharpsburg had the misfortune of sitting between two armies on the morning of September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam — the single bloodiest day in American military history, with more than 23,000 casualties before sunset — moved through the cornfields and woodlots surrounding this small farming village and left it forever changed. The C&O Canal, running along the Potomac just below town, served as a Union supply line throughout the Maryland Campaign; the locks at Antietam Creek handled steady military traffic in the weeks surrounding the battle. Today Sharpsburg is a quiet village absorbed by the National Battlefield that encloses it, its streets opening onto the same fields where the fighting raged.
Getting There
Parking Access
The C&O Canal towpath lies about one mile south of Sharpsburg. From the center of town, head south on MD-65 (Sharpsburg Pike) toward the Potomac River, then turn onto Canal Road and follow it to the Antietam Creek Aqueduct parking area. Day and overnight parking is available here.
River Access
Snyders Landing Boat Ramp is located off MD Route 34 on Snyders Landing Road, a short distance from the Antietam National Battlefield. Note that access requires crossing a narrow 10-foot bridge, and the ramp accommodates small boats and hand-carry craft with parking for about 10 vehicles. This section of the Potomac is widely regarded as some of the finest smallmouth bass water on the entire river.
Where to Stay
The Jacob Rohrbach Inn is a five-room bed and breakfast in the heart of Sharpsburg, housed in a historic 1804 home steps from the Antietam National Battlefield. Innkeepers Chris and Amy Vincent offer full breakfasts and a warm welcome to history buffs and towpath travelers alike. The Antietam Creek hiker/biker campsite sits at mile marker 69.4 on the towpath, nestled in the woods between the canal and the Potomac River, with 20 sites each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill.
Town Highlights You Don't Want to Miss:
For History Lovers:
Antietam National Battlefield
The park’s self-guided driving tour, ranger programs, and well-designed visitor center make this one of the most moving and well-interpreted battlefields in the country. The Antietam National Cemetery, with its rows of Union graves, is included in the tour.
Pry House Field Hospital Museum
Operating from the Philip Pry farmhouse that served as General McClellan’s headquarters during the battle, this museum focuses on the medical and human experience of Civil War combat.
For Outdoor Enthusiasts:
Sharpsburg sits squarely in some of the best outdoor recreation on the C&O Canal corridor. The towpath here is a favorite of cyclists and hikers alike, with long, flat stretches in both directions. Snyders Landing Boat Ramp is popular with kayakers and canoeists who want to explore the Potomac. Antietam Creek, which winds through the battlefield before joining the Potomac just south of town, offers a quieter paddling option
Where to Eat and Drink:
Captain Benders Tavern — A Sharpsburg institution since 1936, Captain Benders is the classic post-battlefield stop: a comfortable tavern with a solid menu of burgers and Maryland crab.
Nutter’s Ice Cream — A beloved local scoop shop that has been a fixture in the area for decades.
Photos by Kim Cawley, Paul Graunke