Explore Civil War Trails Along the Antietam Campaign Scenic Byway in Frederick County, Maryland

The Antietam Campaign Scenic Byway in Frederick County, Maryland is best experienced through the stories told on Maryland’s Civil War Trails.

These interpretive markers guide visitors to the exact locations where key moments of the 1862 campaign unfolded - from Confederate encampments and marching routes to battlefield positions, hospital sites, and crossroads where critical decisions were made. Each sign connects you to the people who lived, fought, and endured during one of the most consequential weeks in American history.

Frederick County is home to dozens of Civil War Trails sites, many located directly along the Antietam Campaign Scenic Byway. The markers provide historical context, primary source quotations, and detailed explanations that help visitors understand not just what happened here, but why it mattered.

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station where President Lincoln spoke in October 1862

To make exploring even easier, Visit Frederick has created a dedicated online Civil War Trails guide focused on the Antietam Campaign. This digital resource allows you to plan your route, locate markers throughout the county, and follow the campaign chronologically as United States and Confederate armies moved from the Potomac River through Frederick and west toward South Mountain and Antietam.

Whether you choose to visit a single site or spend a full day following the campaign’s path, the Civil War Trails network offers a structured and meaningful way to experience the Antietam Campaign Scenic Byway.