Monterey Pass Battlefield Park and Museum

Corona Virus Notice

Monterey Pass Battlefield’s Museum will remain closed until Saturday May 2, 2020 for the safety of our visitors, docents and public do to the coronavirus pandemic. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
The Monterey Park and battlefield trails will remain open to the public.

About The Park

The Monterey Pass Battlefield Park is a 125 acre natural, cultural & historical park located in Washington Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania that preserves a small portion of Pennsylvania's second largest Civil War battle. The history of the area dates back to 1747, when immigrants looking for a new life traveled through the area to Appalachia on the Great Wagon Road. Monterey Pass Battlefield Park along with both Rolando Woods Park and Happel's Meadow Wetlands share an abundance of natural resources, including forest lands, wetlands, and diverse ecosystems, preserving more than 225 acres of land. All Washington Township owned parks are tobacco free zones.

Plan Your Visit

The Battlefield Park:

The Monterey Pass Battlefield Washington Township Park, Happel's Meadow Wetlands, and Rolando Woods Washington Towenship Park grounds are accessible from 8:00 a.m. to dusk throughout the year. The battlefield trails are fully interpreted. Key areas are broken down into six stops that will help tell the story of this important but forgotten Civil War battle. Please stay on the designated trails as the battlefield does border private property. Be aware of your surroundings as various species of wildlife, vegetation and various poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes call our battlefield home.

Directions:

From Gettysburg: Take Route 116 West through Fairfield to Route 16. Turn right onto Route 16 West and follow to Blue Ridge Summit. The Monterey Pass Battlefield Park is located on the right once you pass Happel's Meadow Wetlands.

From Route 15/Emmitsburg: Take Maryland Route 140 West. As soon as you cross into Pennsylvania, it will then become PA Route 16. Follow Rt. 16 West to Blue Ridge Summit, about five miles away.

From I-81 at the Greencastle, PA Exit: Follow Rt. 16 East toward Blue Ridge Summit. The park will be on the left when you get to the top of the mountain.

The Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum:

The museum houses a collection of artifacts and has additional information about the Battle of Monterey Pass and the Confederate Retreat.

Museum hours:

Weekends from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

April to November

Museum admission:

No admission fee. Donations are accepted and appreciated

Download Our Park

Grounds Brochure

Driving Tour

This tour covers the beginning phase of the battle of Monterey Pass beginning at the Fountaindale Fire Department. From there, you'll follow in the steps of the Union cavalry as you go through South Mountain. From there, you'll visit High Rock, Maryland where an overlook of the Cumberland Valley is located. From High Rock, you'll drive to Ringgold, MD where the Battle of Monterey Pass ended. The tour ends at Leitersburg, MD where Union cavalry left Monterey Pass and attacked the Confederate wagon trains as they move to Hagerstown. The tour takes an average of about 2.5 hours to complete and is about 20 miles in length.

Download the Monterey Pass Battlefield Driving Tour!

Monterey Park & Happel's Meadow Wetlands

Monterey Park, located along Charmian Road behind the Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum, is a recreational park in the heart of the Monterey Pass Battlefield. The park features a playground, a pavilon which may be reserved through Washington Township, and spring house. Park hours are 8:00 a.m. to dusk.

Happel's Meadow Wetlands consists of 85 acres of wetlands located in the boundary of the Monterey Pass Battlefield. Access to Happel's Meadow Wetlands is limited, but there is a small hiking trail for those interested in the wetlands to explore. Park is located along Rt 16, across from the Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum. Park hours are from 8:00 a.m. to dusk.

Park News

The latest preservation efforts: Click here for information!