Sharpsburg MarylandBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Sharpsburg, Maryland.
1. Antietam National Battlefield
HISTORIC CIVIL WAR SITE
Antietam National Battlefield is a historic Civil War battlefield offering a reflective setting and informative visitor center. The site features a self-guided driving tour and restored landscapes that preserve this significant moment in American history. Visitors can explore detailed exhibits that showcase the national impact of this pivotal battle.
2. Burnside's Bridge
ICONIC BATTLE LANDMARK
Burnside's Bridge is a significant point of interest and landmark from the Battle of Antietam. This historic stone bridge spans Antietam Creek and was the site of a crucial conflict during the Civil War. The bridge offers visitors a tangible connection to one of the bloodiest days in American military history.
3. Antietam Creek
SCENIC WATERWAY EXPERIENCE
Antietam Creek is a picturesque waterway flowing through the historic landscape of Sharpsburg. The creek played a strategic role in the Battle of Antietam and today offers peaceful water views and recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and the natural beauty along its banks.
4. Greenbrier State Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION HAVEN
Greenbrier State Park features a 42-acre man-made freshwater lake with a white sandy beach that draws many visitors. Swimming is permitted from the first weekend of May through the last weekend of September, with lifeguards on duty during summer months. The multi-use park offers numerous recreational activities including boating, fishing, and picnicking in a beautiful natural setting.
5. Cunningham Falls State Park
WATERFALL AND LAKE RETREAT
Cunningham Falls State Park is home to Maryland's largest cascading waterfall and a 43-acre man-made lake. The park offers swimming at Hunting Creek Lake's sandy beach, along with fishing, hiking, and camping opportunities. Located just 14 miles from Greenbrier State Park, it provides a mountain wilderness experience in the Catoctin Mountains.
6. Berkeley Springs State Park
HISTORIC MINERAL SPRINGS
Berkeley Springs State Park is centered around the famed warm mineral springs that have attracted visitors since colonial times. The park features historic Roman-style bathing facilities where visitors can soak in the mineral-rich waters known for their therapeutic properties. Located a short drive from Sharpsburg, this unique park also offers a swimming pool, spa services, and beautiful grounds for relaxation.
7. Caledonia State Park
CREEKSIDE FOREST GETAWAY
Caledonia State Park offers a refreshing swimming pool surrounded by the beautiful forest landscape of South Mountain. The park features Conococheague Creek running through its grounds, providing opportunities for water play and fishing. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, picnic areas, and golf, all within a historic setting once home to a 19th-century iron furnace.
8. Cacapon Resort State Park
MOUNTAIN LAKE PARADISE
Cacapon Resort State Park features a 6-acre lake with a sandy beach that provides a refreshing mountain swimming experience. The park encompasses more than 6,000 acres of scenic mountain terrain offering boating, fishing, and miles of hiking trails. Visitors can also enjoy the park's amenities including a championship golf course, riding stables, and rustic cabins nestled in the woods.
9. Cowans Gap State Park
SERENE LAKE DESTINATION
Cowans Gap State Park centers around a 42-acre lake nestled in the beautiful mountains of south-central Pennsylvania. The park offers a beach area for swimming, as well as boating, fishing, and ice skating when conditions permit. Visitors can explore over 10 miles of hiking trails through the surrounding Buchanan State Forest, including a section of the Tuscarora Trail.
10. Shepherd's Spring
RETREAT BY THE WATER
Shepherd's Spring offers both indoor and outdoor retreat spaces along the serene waters of the Potomac River basin. The facility provides various recreational opportunities with access to water features in a peaceful natural setting. Visitors can enjoy summer camps, meeting spaces, and the educational Heifer Global Village on this tranquil property near Sharpsburg.