Washington Monument State Park

In the summer of 1827, the people of Boonsboro set out to honor George Washington with a monument on the mountain above their town. By local tradition, hundreds of townsfolk marched up South Mountain and, in a burst of communal effort, raised much of the rugged stone tower in a single day, returning later to finish the work. It stands as the first monument to Washington to be completed anywhere.

The tower has weathered a hard life, falling into ruin, being damaged by storms and lightning, and being rebuilt more than once. Its most thorough restoration came in the 1930s at the hands of the Civilian Conservation Corps, who rebuilt it into the sturdy stone cylinder that stands today. That it was raised by ordinary citizens, not commissioned by a government, gives it a homespun dignity the grander monuments lack.

A short trail climbs from the park's picnic area through the woods to the tower on the summit of South Mountain. Inside, a stairway leads to an open viewing platform, and from the top the country spreads out in every direction, the patchwork farmland of the Middletown Valley to the east and the ridges of the Appalachians rolling away to the west.

The tower sits directly on the Appalachian Trail, the great footpath that runs the spine of the eastern mountains from Georgia to Maine, and thru-hikers pass by all season. The high, open crest also makes the park a noted spot for watching the autumn hawk migration, when raptors ride the ridge winds south in great numbers along the mountain.

This ridge was a battleground. In September of 1862, as Confederate and Union armies maneuvered through western Maryland, they clashed here in the Battle of South Mountain, fighting for control of the mountain gaps in the days just before the terrible Battle of Antietam a few miles to the west. The high ground around the monument saw part of that struggle.

The park and the surrounding South Mountain State Battlefield preserve and interpret that history, with markers and trails tracing the fight through the gaps. Standing at the tower, with its founding-era tribute to Washington and the Civil War ground all around, brings two chapters of the nation's story together on a single mountain crest.

The forested ridge is classic Appalachian hardwood country, oak and hickory and maple, alive with deer, wild turkey, songbirds, and the passing raptors of the autumn flights. Spring greens the mountain and brings wildflowers to the trail, summer keeps the ridge a few degrees cooler than the valleys, and fall lights the slopes in color and draws the hawk-watchers.

Below the mountain lie the orchards and farms of the Middletown and Frederick valleys, and a short drive brings you to the deep Civil War history of Antietam and the walkable old town of Frederick. The park makes an easy, rewarding stop, a bit of history and a fine view on the western edge of Maryland's ridge country.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Washington Monument State Park, near Boonsboro in western Maryland, preserves the first monument ever completed in honor of George Washington. This rugged stone tower, shaped a bit like a giant milk bottle, was built by the citizens of Boonsboro in 1827, years before the famous obelisk in Washington, D.C. Perched atop South Mountain along the Appalachian Trail, it rewards a short climb with sweeping views over the surrounding valleys, making it a rewarding blend of history and scenery.

Yes, visitors can climb the interior stone steps of the tower to a viewing platform at the top, where a panoramic vista opens over the Cumberland Valley and beyond. The climb is short but the steps are steep and can be dim, so watch your footing and hold the rail, and keep children close. On a clear day the views are wonderful, and the tower is a favorite spot for taking in the surrounding mountain landscape.

Because it sits atop South Mountain along a major ridgeline, the park is a renowned spot for watching the fall hawk migration, when thousands of hawks, eagles, and other raptors stream past on their journey south. Autumn brings enthusiasts with binoculars to the lookout to count the passing birds of prey. Combined with the historic tower and mountain views, this makes the park an especially rewarding destination in fall for nature and history lovers alike.

Fall is spectacular, with brilliant foliage and the famous hawk migration, while spring and summer offer green mountain scenery and pleasant hiking along the Appalachian Trail, which passes through the park. Clear days give the best views from the tower. Checking whether the tower is open before you go is wise, since access can vary. The mild months from spring through fall are generally the most enjoyable for combining the climb, trails, and views.

The park lies near Boonsboro in western Maryland, along the Appalachian Trail and close to the South Mountain State Battlefield and the historic Antietam National Battlefield, one of the Civil War's most significant sites. The charming city of Frederick and the mountains of western Maryland are within reach. That makes the monument an easy and scenic stop to combine with Civil War history, Appalachian Trail hiking, and the attractions of the surrounding region.