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 Monterey 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.
We have a 6 passenger golf cart for those who may have trouble getting to the overlook at the top. If you arrive and someone is at the museum, ask if they can arrange a driver on short notice. To plan ahead for the cart for a future visit, email us at montereypassbattlefield@gmail.com.
Download our Park Grounds Walking Brochure.
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 through October.
Museum admission:
No admission fee. Donations are accepted and appreciated
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 Driving Tour PDF.
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 pavilion 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.
Directions to Monterey Pass Battlefield Park and Museum:
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.