Permits & Reservations

Camping

The Rohrbach Campground is available for organized youth groups (such as scouts and school groups) only. For more information and to make a reservation, please visit Recreation.gov. Ten sites are available with advance reservation. Each campsite offers a fire ring and picnic tables and space to accommodate a maximum of 30 people. Outdoor restrooms are available at the campground and indoor facilities are located at the Antietam National Cemetery and the Visitor Center. A water spigot is available at the visitor center - please provide your own water containers. When the temperature is above freezing, the rangers also provide a water buffalo on-site at the campground.

Please Note: Scout and organized youth groups only. Family and individual camping is not available at Antietam Battlefield, but you can visit this list of public campgrounds in the area that are open to family and individual camping.

Basic Permit Information

A permit is required to conduct activities including, but not limited to:

• Organized recreational events
• Ceremonies
• Public assemblies/meetings/gatherings/demonstrations/parades/etc. by groups of more than 25 people
• Sale or distribution of printed material (not solely advertising) by groups of more than 25 people
• Memorialization
• Business operations
• Horseback riding in groups of 6 or more

For more detailed information, see the park Superintendent’s Compendium or 36 CFR Sections 2.50, 2.51, or 2.52 . You can also contact the park Special Use Permit Office at [phone] x105 or email them. Current National Park Service policy states that “A permittee may not collect admission, parking, or any other monies associated with a special event on park property.” All permittee monetary transactions must take place outside the park.”

Filming, Photography, and Audio Recording

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.

Key elements of the new law include:

· In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:

o Occurs in areas open to the public;

o Does not involve a set or staging equipment other than hand-carried equipment such as a tripod, monopod, or handheld lighting equipment;

o Does not require exclusive use of a site or area;

o Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors;

o Is within all other policy, practice, law, and regulations (drone use is not allowed at Antietam); and

o Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.

· Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording of an activity or event such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement) by persons affiliated with that activity or event.

· All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.

· When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.

· Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources. Drone use is not allowed at Antietam.

· Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required.

Applying for a Permit

Persons interested in applying for a permit should contact the permit office by email (recommended) or by telephone at 301-432-0306 x105. They can answer questions and provide the application form if required. A non-refundable application fee of $50.00 ($100.00 starting October 1, 2022) is required; payment will be arranged using an on-line, government payment system. Allow at least three weeks for the review and approval process. Applications for new race type events that begin and/or finish in the park, weddings with more than 50 participants, wedding receptions, or after hours events will not be accepted.

Cost Recovery

Applicants are required to pay any administrative costs associated with the application's review and possible issuance of a permit. These costs will be billed before the issuance of a permit, and must be paid even if a permit is not issued.

Other costs may be incurred by the National Park Service due to a permitted event, including- charges for monitoring the event, traffic and parking control, and other associated costs. A Special Use Permit will include an estimate of these costs and the permittee will be billed for these services after the event. Permit holders must supply all equipment required for their event.

For More Information

Any questions regarding special use permits should be directed to the park’s Permit Office at [phone] x105 or email them.

Private Tours

For persons wishing a personalized tour, the Antietam Battlefield Guides can provide you a private tour of the battlefield. The guide service is offered though the park's cooperative association, Eastern National. The standard tour lasts two hours, but many individuals and groups hire guides for longer periods of time. In addition, guides can provide specialty tours. These include tours on particular units or certain areas of the battlefield, as well as other facets of the Maryland Campaign, such as the Siege of Harpers Ferry and the Battles of South Mountain. Tour rates vary depending upon the length of the tour and the size of the group. For more information, please call our park store. Keep in mind that tour arrangements should be made in advance.
The number for the store is [phone].