Monocacy National Battlefield
Monocacy National Battlefield
4.5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This key Civil War battlefield marked the last push north by Confederates in 1864. Although it's seen as a confederate victory, this advance on Washington, D.C. was brought to a hault by the forces led by Major General Lew Wallace, U.S. Army.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
365 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
124
Average
29
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ShutRBug267
Birmingham, AL40 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
My 18 year old & I spent the day driving around Fredrick & doing different things.
We read that this was a driving tour of a Battlefield that was very close (less than 5 miles) to our hotel & highly recommended.
NOTE: The 2nd stop on the tour is closed due to construction, at this time. (July 2021)
I enjoyed it but, wished there was a bit more signage for those of us directionally challenged. (a sign saying park here for driving tour or a sign facing wherever the narrator was speaking about-stand here to start tour). As someone not from the area saying the local landmarks, waterways, & roads did not help me.
We only saw people at the Welcome Center & 2 other people on our tour. It did take us over an hour to accomplish. I did get out walk around & take several pictures. If you know the area & are better at directions - it will take you under an hour.
We read that this was a driving tour of a Battlefield that was very close (less than 5 miles) to our hotel & highly recommended.
NOTE: The 2nd stop on the tour is closed due to construction, at this time. (July 2021)
I enjoyed it but, wished there was a bit more signage for those of us directionally challenged. (a sign saying park here for driving tour or a sign facing wherever the narrator was speaking about-stand here to start tour). As someone not from the area saying the local landmarks, waterways, & roads did not help me.
We only saw people at the Welcome Center & 2 other people on our tour. It did take us over an hour to accomplish. I did get out walk around & take several pictures. If you know the area & are better at directions - it will take you under an hour.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B
Norristown, PA286 contributions
Apr 2023
The title of my review comes from a park ranger I had once at Gettysburg. He worked there and at Monocacy National Battlefield. I heard of the battle and knew its significance. However, I didn't know much about it. In the summer of 1864, Confederate forces under Jubal Early tried to attack Washington DC. Union forces under the command of Lew Wallace made a stand here to stop the Rebel soldiers. Tactically, the South won, but in terms of strategy the North was successful. There is a visitor's center, which was closed when I was there, but there were maps to guide us. There are places to go hiking, but if you do, I recommend bringing bug spray because there were a lot of bugs. Stop number 2, in my opinion, was the best because you had beautiful scenery and could see the marvelous landscapes composed of farmland as well as mountains. I learned more about the battle and would like to learn more. I had two ancestors here who fought in the 138th Pennsylvania and I was satisfied to find their monument. This was a small battle, but it had a huge impact and was consequential for both sides. Not far from Gettysburg, Antietam and other Civil War sites.
Written April 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
esprouls47
Wadesville, IN293 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
We stopped at the visitor center first and watched the battle map presentation and visited the museum upstairs. Also took in the nice view of the battlefield from the 2nd floor. We used the on line and brochure tour guide and visited all the stops. It took about an hour. There are differences in the two guides. The area is split by I 270 but that does not detract from the experience. All in all a good battlefield we are glad was preserved.
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BestBuddyA1
Union Bridge, MD58 contributions
Apr 2020
The park is broken up in a few pieces so its rather disjointed. The display area in a newer building that looks like a barn is pretty good. If you are on the way thru the area, like seeing sites about the Civil War and have a couple of hours it's worth a look.
Written December 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alicia_JA
Chicago360 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
I am so happy to know that these hallowed grounds have been preserved. The buildings are in exceptional shape and the roads connecting sites are easy to navigate. Be sure to get out at each of the five stops and walk around. There are also several trails worth walking. My only "complaint" is that one of the NPS park rangers must have been having a bad day. He was rather dissmissive and rude. This is unusual as most in my experiences across the country have been positive.
Written April 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gostartraveler
Forked River, NJ1,911 contributions
Mar 2020
Wow! Thought this was going to be a stamp and run, but we spent some time here thanks to the children's corner with dress up, coloring sheets and other activities. (And yes, NPS stamps for that passport are available here.) Upstairs, which is accessible by elevator, tells the story of the battlefield and the area. Don't miss the outside balcony and imagine what the area looked liked then as compared to now. Recommended for the history enthusiast.
Written April 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernard W
Dallas, TX1,930 contributions
Sep 2022
The Monocacy National Battlefield is not open Tuesday or Wednesday. This is a no-fee site. When we were there a volunteer greeted us and gave us a very excellent description of the battle. We then went upstairs to see a superb museum about life and aspects of this 1864 battle.
Written September 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LAURIE S
Buckhannon, WV599 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The visitors center did a fine job of explaining this time delaying civil war battle. It is free to get in and there are a few picnic tables for lunches. However, the auto tour takes one through the properties off the main drag. We felt like we were on a race course just trying to dodge the traffic. Most auto stops are just a parking area with no access to the remaining structures.
Written May 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hikealot
Kansas City, MO18 contributions
Jul 2021
We went to the visitor's center first and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. We drove to all of the sites in the driving tour and walked the trails to actual locations of troops. Not as famous as closer Civil War sites, but worth the stop.
Written July 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose E
Washington DC, DC65 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
Visited during the COVID-19 quarantine, but we were able to make it work! The visitor center is closed but they have a tent and table outdoor for people to get info, maps, and stamps for the passport cancellation books. It’s a six mile driving tour of the battlefield, five of which are currently open. Lots of places to get out and walk, socially distances.
The mill trail has a wheelchair accessible walkway for half of the loop. Most of the trails are short walks, but most are easy. There is an audio tour but we didn’t do that, instead opting for just a self guided driving tour.
The mill trail has a wheelchair accessible walkway for half of the loop. Most of the trails are short walks, but most are easy. There is an audio tour but we didn’t do that, instead opting for just a self guided driving tour.
Written October 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry, all of the trails do not allow bikes. You are allowed to bike around the park but the walking trails are specifically for walking.
Written February 12, 2022
Is two hours enough time to see everything with an auto tour?
Written January 25, 2020
We are regular visitors of Gettysburg and want to stop here on our trip to Gettysburg in a few days. How long would it take to do an overview type visit? A quick trip to.VC and audio tour? We only would have an afternoon, maybe 3 hours. Thanks
Written June 23, 2019
I just went online to their website, and they list a calendar of events (and partially closed areas) -- I'm not sure when they do the 'live firing' demonstration of historical arms...but give them a call and see if/when they will be offering it next.
Otherwise, their website lists the particular days when the Rangers will be giving battle orientations.
Lots of parking, accessible bathrooms, water fountain. Wear comfy walking shoes, sunglasses/hat/sunblock, plenty of water (snack or two)...and a camera. They also sell postcards, so if you bring stamps & addresses (I do when I travel), you can send loved ones a nice postcard from there (ask for their NPS stamp from Monocacy NBP...I add those types of rubber stamp prints onto my postcards). Enjoy a great day! :-D
Written June 23, 2019
Hello,
I am a PhD student from University of Strathclyde, UK. I am doing research about historic battlefields and war-related sites. I'd love to know your experiences (site offerings, visitor experiences and outcomes). It is an online survey (mobile-friendly), which takes less than 10 mins to complete.
If you want to participate, please let me know. I will send you the link via private message because TA doesn't allow to leave url here.
Best regards,
Praosiri
Written August 27, 2018
Planning to stay in Washington and really keen to visit Monocacy for a day trip. Is this possible using public transport as no one in our party can drive?
Written June 15, 2018
Get a train from DC to Frederick and get Uber out. To be honest from center of town it's only 2.5 mile at the most
Written July 16, 2018
Planning a trip around various National Parks and I'd like to include Moncacy. One previous visitor said that the roads really require and SUV. Because I don't drive an SUV, are the roads really that bad? And how much hiking is involved in this park? Thank you.
Written June 4, 2017
Absolutely NO need for a SUV. The Park HQ & Museum is asphalt. If you want to drive to a particular house the road is gravel and NO SUV is necessary.
Written June 6, 2017
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