I need someone to explain why this park has only three parking spaces. That's just nuts…read more Fortunately, there were only two other people here when I visited or I'd have had to park illegally and we can't have that. The centerpiece of Rumsey Park is the 75 foot tall white granite monument, a tribute to the man who invented, designed and engineered the steamboat in 1783 and overlooks the spot on the Potomac where it first sailed. This was the first successful application of steam to aid with navigation and in 1787 demonstrated it here at Shepherdstown Virginia. Though impressive, the commercial feasibility of the technology was widely questioned, and investors were hard to come by. Five years after his first successful demonstration, Rumsey died while pitching to a group of investors in England, his dream of commercial steamboats never fully realized. Of course, the park has a fab view of the Rumsey bridge and this curve of the Potomac River. Quite scenic just not enough parking. [Review 15607 overall - 59 in West Virginia - 1111 of 2021.]

[Coronavirus review] This is a small park, with an irksomely…read moresmall number of parking spaces (some metered parking is available on the street outside the gate). There were only three parking spaces, plus one handicap spot, and a loop that some people tried to park alongside of but which really didn't work well for that. It's a scenic overlook that gets you a view of both the road bridge and a rail bridge, as well as some massive columns for yet more bridges that no longer exist. The monument itself is apparently to the inventor of the steamboat. What's notable about the space these days is that it has a few picnic tables with a view, and all restaurants are takeout right now. Other people arrived at the park carrying the same taco takeout bags that I did. It's a good spot to eat in a pinch.

We have driven by this battlefield dozens of times and finally decided to stop and visit…read more Easy parking, main ealjway was realtively even, and numerous historic markers to read about the civil war era battles in the area. There is a wooded path too. Lovely mountain views Trash free park.....take out Whatever you bring in

A great place to start your tour of Harpers Ferry and its history…read moreBolivar Heights sits just above Harpers Ferry and, seems like a great place to start a tour of the entire area. We got a guided tour and our tour guide started here because from here you can see the hills that represent "the hole" the place where the 2 rivers, the Potomac and the Shenandoah connect. It gives you a wide open look at the town, the rivers, and the surrounding ridgelines. It's a quiet, grassy ridge with a few cannon placements and clear informational signs. It's easy to understand why this high ground mattered during the Civil War.I like this stop because it was simple and stress-free. There is a small parking area, short mostly-level paths, and lots of room to wander without crowds. The signs along the path do a nice job of explaining the fighting here and how it connects to the larger Harpers Ferry story. The cannons are in good shape but always be careful not to stick your hand inside one as small creatures like to use them also. If you want a picture with a cannon closeup or in the background then this is a good place for you. Overall, Bolivar Heights battlefield is an easy, worthwhile add to a Harpers Ferry visit. If you're driving the park's battle sites, put this one near the top of the list and enjoy the view.

Such a great experience! Our guide did a wonderful job explaining things and helped our group of…read morestudents leave with new knowledge.

Located just off US-15, the Catoctin Furnace (also known as Catoctin Iron Furnace) is a historic…read moreiron forge. Only the smelting blast furnace remains and the forge is long gone. Catoctin Furnace was constructed in 1774 by four brothers Thomas, Baker, Roger and James Johnson to produce pig iron from locally mined hematite. In blast by 1776, the furnace provided ammunition (cannonballs) for the American Revolutionary War. Ultimately, three furnaces were built at the site, each named for the site. The first Catoctin Furnace was rebuilt a short distance away in 1787. The second, named Isabella was built in the 1850s by Jacob Kunkel (references give dates from 1853 to 1867). It still stands, within Cunningham Falls State Park. In 1973, the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. was formed by G. Eugene Anderson, Clement E. Gardiner, J. Franklin Mentzer, and Earl M. Shankle to "foster and promote the restoration of the Catoctin Furnace Historic District...and to maintain the same exclusively for educational and scientific purposes...to exhibit to coming generations our heritage of the past..." The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc., celebrates, studies, and preserves the rich history of this pre-revolutionary industrial village, including the architecture, cultural landscapes, lifeways, and foodways of the workers. This is a nice stop just off the highway for a bit of industrial era and Revolutionary War history. Several captions adorn the site pointing out the important parts. Much of the area is handicapped accessible. [Review 15590 overall - 635 in Maryland - 1094 of 2021.]

It may be just a field but it is worth the visit for its history…read moreThis is one of the many sites that makes Harpers Ferry a fascinating place to visit. The town is historically significant as the site of John Brown's 1859 raid on the U.S. Armory. This single event increased the tensions over slavery and pushed the nation closer to the Civil War. The town was also an important location during the war itself, changing hands multiple times due to its armory, rivers, and railroads. The Armory site is between John Brown's Fort and the Train Station. It may seem like an empty field but it has posted informational signs that tell the story of the armory. Back in the late 1700s through mid-1800s, the Armory was a major industrial site. The signs tell where the building stood that made the US rifles and muskets large numbers. The buildings are gone but the land still holds the echoes of its history. It is located next to the river and there is a small path down to the river that gives some really nice views especially if trains are coming by the tracks above. Overall, the Armory site may not be a flashy or heavily built-up museum, but it represents a major place for America. If you like history -- especially early U.S. industrial history, Civil War era, or the story of abolition -- it's very much worth stopping by.

Quite a view! It is really neat to see this massive road cut. There is an access behind the…read moreMaryland Welcome Center, and there is also a pedestrian bridge that connects the rest stop on the other side of the highway to this access. Climbing up the steps gets you to the view. Looking at the opened walls is very interesting since you can see the various layers going back through time. We somehow managed to end up here at great timing for the sun coming through the hill too, which was an added interesting feature. There is also signage available that provides more details about the National Road and Sideling Hill.

I lived in Baltimore Md as a child, my grandparents had a cabin in West Virginia. Four or five…read moretimes a year we would drive out I83, through the "V in the mountain" on the way to our vacation spot deep in the woods! Sideling Hill became our halfway stop, many times I used the bathrooms there, and ate many sandwiches made by my grandmother in the parking lot! All the employees were always so nice and seemed super informative... Always kept clean! Bathrooms included! As for the hill, Beautiful is an understatement for this very unnatural yet breathtaking view of a mountain, and each season offers another opportunity to see this impressive feat of mankind. There's even a walkway bridge that spans the highway with interesting views of its own! If you travel out western md and happen through Sideling hill, take fifteen minutes and stop in! I'm not sure if it's still there but they had a stuffed black bear standing guard inside. Check it out, definitely a beautiful view that won't disappoint.

A must see if you are visiting Antietam The Antietam…read moreNational Battlefield in Maryland is where the Battle of Antietam took place on September 17, 1862. This is considered to be the bloodiest single day in American history with over 23,000 casualties. The site includes lots of landmarks and monuments. Today, it is preserved as a peaceful park where visitors can learn about the battle by walking or driving around the sites. It had a pivotal role in leading to the Emancipation Proclamation. We took the driving tour which had numerous sites where you could see monuments and buildings that describe key parts of the battle. The Antietam Battlefield Observation Tower is one of these sites. It is a quiet, powerful spot that is open to the public. It stands about 85 ft tall. Visitors can park and walk into and up to the top of the tower. The climb isn't very hard, but the stairs are narrow and you may have to pause at landings to let others pass. It is open on all 4 sides and allows a great view, even better than the visitors center, of the rolling hills that were the location of the various battles. There are metal plaques with arrows and names at the viewing area on top. I really like this and consider it a must-see because the tower gives a sense of scale: how open some places were, how forested others. It is also surprisingly peaceful up there. Even though you're looking over "Bloody Lane," the setting is amazingly calm. It invites reflection. If you like history, or photography, or just want to see a battlefield from a different angle, this tower is well worth adding to the Antietam visit. Enjoy.

I'm hoping that the folks down at Yelp don't decide to merge this with the State Park. The Memorial…read moreArch is its own thing and should remain separate as you can visit the memorial and not visit the park and vice-versa. The arch is 50 feet talll and was built and dedicated in 1896 and is claimed to be the only monument in the world dedicated to journalists killed in combat. As described by the man who built it, "In appearance the monument is quite odd. It is fifty feet high and forty feet broad. Above a Moorish arch sixteen feet high built of Hummelstown purple stone are super-imposed three Roman arches. These are flanked on one side with a square crenellated tower, producing a bizarre and picturesque effect. Niches in different places shelter the carving of two horses' heads, and symbolic terra cotta statuettes of Mercury, Electricity and Poetry." Unchanged for over a century, the arch had four names added in 2003: David Bloom, Michael Kelly, Elizabeth Neuffer, and Daniel Pearl. Hopefully, you recognize the names. On the face: SPEED - HEED Sept. 14 - 62 - 96 To the Army Correspondents and Artists 1861-65 Whose toils cheered the fireside Educated provinces of rustics into a bright nation of readers and gave incentive to narrate distant wars and explore dark lands. On the north side: O wondrous youth Through this grand ruth Runs my boy's life, its thread The General's fame, the battle's name The rolls of maimed and dead I bear with my thrilled soul astir And lonely thoughts and fears And am but history's courier To bind the conquering years A battle's ray, through ages gray To light to deeds sublime And flash the lustre of my day Down all the aisles of time War Correspondent Ballad - 1865 [Round number review 15600 overall - 645 in Maryland - 1104 of 2021.]

An absolute beautiful monument that sits right on the Appalachian Trail. There is a beautiful…read morepavilion, parking, bathrooms, water, and even campsites 1/2 Mike away along the AT. Gathland State Park is accessible from RT 67 and also RT 17 ( Burkittsville), and is of great historical significance during the Civil War as it was a gap in the ride held by the Confederates to delay the Union advance prior to the battle of Antietam. Beautiful area and a definite place to check out for history buffs or just a wonderful, quiet picnic, or a day hike. It is very clean and well shaded.

Want to step into a time portal? Rent this place. Meet the ghosts. Escape modern life. If only…read morefor a weekend. Beautifully preserved pre-Civil War Lockhouse. Make sure you bring candles and/or lanterns because there is no electricity. Or running water. Bring that too. Forget charging your phone, if you're staying more than a night do yourself a favor and turn it off until you re-emerge into civilization. Maybe going 19th century it's not your cup of tea, and that's fine. But if you want to "primitive camp" with young children in your family this is a nice option because at least you won't get rained on. It's two stories, four walls, and roof, with beds for up to 8 people. Not to mention the rich history of the place. Very cool experience. If you're into this sort of thing, this is a great place for your family to stay over the weekend. Please note that it is about 3/4 of a mile from the closest parking lot on the C & O canal trail. Anything you want to bring with you (food, water, bedding, etc.), your best bet is to bring a wagon or two (Radio Flyers are ideal for this) to cart your stuff to and from. And don't worry, they have a modern port-a-pot on site, so you don't need to bring a shovel. Although importing your own TP isn't a bad idea since riders and hikers on the trail also have access to it. Seriously this place is a one-of-a-kind experience.