Burnside's Bridge

Burnside's Bridge is a stone bridge at the Antietam National Battlefield in Maryland. The structure features three arches that span Antietam Creek over a length of 125 feet, showing thick walls of rough limestone while the roadway surface remains narrow and closed to vehicles today.

Confederate soldiers defended the crossing during the Battle of Antietam in September 1862 and held back Union troops for several hours. The late capture by Burnside's men influenced the further course of the bloodiest day in the American Civil War.

The name honors General Ambrose Burnside, whose troops attempted to force the crossing during the battle. Today the site serves as a setting for memorial events and guided tours where park rangers explain the military decisions made that September day.

A steep paved path with steps leads down from the upper parking lot to the creek bank. Visitors can walk across the span and view it from both banks of the waterway.

The 1966 restoration returned the appearance to its 1862 state and preserved the original limestone structures. Today you can spot marks from bullet impacts on the stones in some places, left from the battle.

Location: Washington County

Official opening: 1836

GPS coordinates: 39.45050,-77.73190

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30