Parks around Middletown

The Shenandoah Valley invites you to learn about its rich heritage, from Native Americans who first shaped the land, to pioneers of this frontier; this fertile area became one of the most important wheat producing regions of the entire South. The Valley also witnessed some of the most dramatic events of the Civil War,including the Battle of Cedar Creek, a decisive October 19,1864 Union victory.

During its over seventy year history, Skyline Drive has offered travelers the opportunity to view many of the most scenic vistas in the eastern United States. The experience combines the protected setting of Shenandoah National Park with two visitor centers, miles of hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing.

The Shenandoah Wilderness now contains a total of 79,579 acres and is managed by the National Park Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 1976 the Shenandoah Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age ...

A visit to this quaint, historic community, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is like stepping into the past. Stroll the picturesque streets, visit exhibits and museums, or hike our trails and battlefields. Spend a day or a weekend. We have something for everyone, so come and discover Harpers Ferry!

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,185 mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.

Linking the Potomac and upper Ohio river basins, the Potomac Heritage Trail network follows the paths explored by George Washington. You can follow the same routes today—on foot, bicycle, horse and by boat—exploring contrasting landscapes between the Chesapeake Bay and the Allegheny Highlands.

Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is your escape to recreation and re-creation. Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, quiet wooded hollows—take a hike, a meander along Skyline Drive, or a picnic with the family. 200,000 acres of protected lands are haven to deer, songbirds, the night sky...and you. Plan a Shenandoah escape today!

23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

The Battle of Antietam, or Sharpsburg, on September 17, 1862, was the tragic culmination of Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North. That one fateful day more than 23,110 men were killed, wounded, or listed as missing. Approximately 4,000 were killed, and in the days that followed, many more died of wounds or disease. The peaceful village of Sharpsburg turned into a huge hospital and burial gr...

Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural and recreational treasures!

On July 21, 1861, two armies clashed for the first time on the fields overlooking Bull Run. Heavy fighting swept away any notion of a quick war. In August 1862, Union and Confederate armies converged for a second time on the plains of Manassas. The Confederates won a solid victory bringing them to the height of their power.

In the summer of 1864, General Jubal Early led Confederate forces towards Washington, D.C. and threatened to capture the capital city. On July 9, Union troops under General Lew Wallace met Early's forces on the banks of the Monocacy. At Monocacy National Battlefield, visitors can experience this and other stories of the past in a landscape that has changed little since the 19th century.

Jennings Randolph Lake provides opportunities for outdoor recreation including camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, boating, water skiing, kayaking, eagle watching and hunting spread over 4,500 acres of land and water.

The Historic National Road was the nation's first federally funded interstate highway. It opened the nation to the west and became a corridor for the movement of goods and people. Today, visitors experience a physical timeline, including classic inns, tollhouses, diners, and motels that trace 200 years of American history.

The Historic National Road stands for adventure, freedom and exploration. A ribbon of roadway from the Chesapeake Bay to the mighty Allegheny Mountains, it is the road that built the nation. Today, you can experience more than 300 years of American culture, including inns, tollhouses, taverns, theaters, parks, and shops along the byway.

The Historic National Road is the Nation's first federally funded highway. Opening westward expansion, it became a transportation corridor for goods and people, creating the great cultural diversity we treasure. Visitors experience a physical timeline -- classic inns, toll houses, diners, and motels that trace 200 years of American history.

No matter what your age or taste in shows, you'll find something you like onstage at Wolf Trap. From May through September, multiple amphitheaters in the park present performances such as musicals, dance, opera, jazz, and popular and country music. A good time to explore the beauty and history of the park without the crowds is October - April.

At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. The Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country. Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation's Capital.

The Brush Mountain East Wilderness now contains a total of 3,743 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Brush Mountain East Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. ...

The Brush Mountain Wilderness now contains a total of 4,794 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Brush Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age ...

The Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness now contains a total of 8,470 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In...

The Raccoon Branch Wilderness now contains a total of 4,223 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Raccoon Branch Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age ...

The Stone Mountain Wilderness now contains a total of 3,270 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Stone Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age ...

The Garden Mountain Wilderness now contains a total of 3,291 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Garden Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an ag...

The Dolly Sods Wilderness now contains a total of 17,371 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of West Virginia. In 1975 the Dolly Sods Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of...