Plan Like a Park Ranger 1-Day Itinerary Monocacy National Battlefield

Visitors to Monocacy National Battlefield will find great opportunities to learn the history of the people who once lived here. NPS/ Jason Martz

In 1864, United States and Confederate forces clashed on what is now Monocacy National Battlefield. The U.S. Army fought valiantly to repel a desperate Confederate attack on Washington D.C. While the U.S. did not win the battle, they successfully delayed the Confederate advance long enough for reinforcements to reach Washington and defeat the Confederates at the battle of Fort Stevens.

But Monocacy’s importance doesn’t end there. In addition to its role in the Civil War, Monocacy National Battlefield preserves and shares the stories of the many people who lived there, from Indigenous peoples, to enslaved Africans and European settlers.

We have crafted an itinerary for a day trip to Monocacy, so that we can share this history with you and help you have a safe and fun trip.

Just like any excursion into one of our parks, the NPS wants you to plan like a park ranger. Whether you’re driving or hiking, bringing what you need and knowing where you’re going are essential to your trip’s success.

What to bring

• Water: Bring enough for your entire trip.
• Snacks: It never hurts to have a snack, and if you find yourself out longer than you expect, you’ll be prepared.
• Good walking shoes: Wear appropriate footwear for what you plan to do. Most of the sites will require some walking.
• Appropriate clothes/a hat: Always check the weather and current conditions before you go on a visit to one of our parks and dress accordingly.
• A leash (if you’re bringing your pet): Pets must be leashed at all times for the safety of your pet and the habitats we preserve.
• Your smartphone or a map: A smartphone or a map (available at our visitor center) will help you navigate our park. If you download the NPS App, you can use your phone for self-guided walking and driving tours!

Where to go

Start your day at the Monocacy National Battlefield, Visitor Center, which is home to a museum exploring the history of the region and a fiber optic map which shows the progression of the Battle of Monocacy. You can also pick up a park map and your newest stamp in your National Park Passport book!

Monocacy has created a driving tour to help visitors experience all the sites in the park. This driving tour can be accessed on the NPS app or the website! We even highlighted a few of the stops on the tour we think you may like.

The Best Farm

The Best Farm was originally home to the Vincendière family who fled from unrest in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (Haiti). The family named their plantation L’Hermitage. The Vincendière family owned over 90 slaves at the peak of their wealth. Today L’Hermitage is a place to learn the stories of those enslaved people.

• You can take a walking tour of the farm and learn more using the NPS App.

Worthington Farm

Here you can see classic architecture for a farm in Frederick County in the mid 1800s. You can even take a virtual tour of the interior! The Worthington family were typical well-to-do family at the time of the Civil War. During the battle, they were forced to take cover in the basement.

• You can also hike the Brooks Hill trail which takes you to the Brooks Hill Vista. This vista offers a sweeping view of most of the battlefield.

Thomas Farm

The Thomas farm has several structures including the Tenant House, which is open to the public from 9a.m. to 4p.m. and features wide-ranging exhibits covering the history of the entire park, telling the stories of Indigenous peoples, immigrants, free and enslaved African Americans, farmers, and millers who lived on and worked the land.

• Throughout the trails of Monocacy National Battlefield visitors can find vistas offering views of the battlefield. The Thomas Farm Loop Trail offers an excellent view of the Worthington Farm.

Gambrill Mill

The last stop on your itinerary is Gambrill Mill, which was used by the United States as a field hospital during the battle and was taken by the Confederates at the end of the fighting. Today the Mill serves as an office for NPS Staff.

• The Gambrill Mill trail is accessible from this site. It’s an easy half mile hike with interpretive waysides and a great view of the Monocacy river. This trail also has a boardwalk portion that is wheelchair accessible. This pleasant hike will be the perfect way to wrap up your day at Monocacy National Battlefield!

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