Sherrick Farm Trail Map (click to enlarge)

Length: 1 mile, one way (2 mile round trip)
Time: 1 hour (round trip)
Difficulty: Moderate

The Sherrick Farm Trail at Antietam National Battlefield is an out-and-back trail that passes through a 194-acre farm that was owned by Joseph Sherrick Jr. during the Battle of Antietam. The trail does not go to the existing historical farm buildings, but it is possible to see them by walking a half mile (round trip) from the southern end of the trail along Burnside Bridge Road.

The northern trailhead is located at a four-vehicle parking lot on Rodman Avenue just south of the intersection with Shepherdstown Pike. The southern trailhead is located at the west end of the Burnside Bridge Road bridge over Antietam Creek (not to be confused with the historic Burnside Bridge). However, there is no parking lot, or even roadside parking, at the southern end, so if you want to hike the trail, start at Rodman Avenue. This is what I did, and this report is written from that perspective.

The National Park Service gives the length of the trail as 1.3 miles, but I had two GPS units with me and both clocked it at one mile (one way).

Northern trailhead for the Sherrick Farm Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

For those contemplating forming a loop by walking back on Burnside Bridge Road and Rodman Avenue, this is not possible because the two roads do not physically intersect. Rodman Avenue passes over Burnside Bridge Road via a bridge, so there is no way to get to it from Burnside Bridge Road. Thus, the only way to return is by hiking back the same way you came.

From the parking lot, the Sherrick Farm Trail darts through a 100-foot section of trees before coming out into the open on a mowed grass path through a field. When I did the hike, part of the field was just weeds and other segments were planted with corn. To keep the landscape similar to what it was like in the 1860s, the National Park Service leases the historical farmlands to modern-day farmers. Typical crops now growing are feed corn and soybeans. Some land is also used for dairy farming.

Field near the start of the Sherrick Farm Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

Cornfield near the start of the Sherrick Farm Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

After two tenths of a mile, the trail becomes sandwiched between the field and a narrow stand of trees, sometimes even dipping more into the trees than the field. Sections can be very rough, with plenty of roots and rocks on the surface.

Rocky and rooty section of the Sherrick Farm Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

Rough surface of the Sherrick Farm Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

Also, while you might think agricultural fields are on fairly level ground, that’s not the case here. In fact, starting at the same time the rocks and roots start appearing, the trail heads down what might be the steepest hill on any of the trails at Antietam National Battlefield. The average grade is -17%, and most hikers agree that -15% is where strenuous begins. The descent only lasts about a hundred yards, and once at the bottom the trail almost immediately begins climbing a hill of a similar grade, though this stretch is only a 100 feet or so. And remember, you must hike up and down these same hills on the way back.

Steep terrain on the north end of the Sherrick Farm Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

After .4 mile, the trail, which is no longer a mowed grass path but instead a real hiking trail, enters the forest and turns south towards Burnside Bridge Road. Down below is Antietam Creek, and the trail quickly descends to water level, a 50-foot drop covered over a tenth of a mile. The hill is not as steep as the previous one, but it is nothing to scoff at.

The Sherrick Farm Trail becomes a narrow walking path on the east side near Antietam Creek, Antietam National Battlefield

On the way down the hill, a half mile from the start of the hike, is the intersection with the Three Farms Trail, one of the longer trails at Antietam National Battlefield. See the Three Farms Trail review here on National Park Planner for details.

Intersection of the Three Farms and Sherrick Farm trails at Antietam National Battlefield

Once at the bottom of the hill, the trail follows a narrow footpath along level terrain. A field lies between the trail / forest and Antietam Creek. You can often see the field through the trees, but the creek is too far away.

Field between the Sherrick Farm Trail and Antietam Creek, Antietam National Battlefield

The trail runs south for .4 mile along level ground before coming to one last hill just before Burnside Bridge Road. This has a -18% grade, but it only lasts a hundred feet. In fact, it’s basically an earthen staircase, and once at the bottom you’ll be on the field that the trail has been paralleling.

Earthen staircase on the Sherrick Farm Trail just before Burnside Bridge Road, Antietam National Battlefield

Field between the Sherrick Farm Trail and Antietam Creek, Antietam National Battlefield

Burnside Bridge Road is now within sight, so walk out to it and take a left if you want to see Antietam Creek from the bridge. Up until 1966, vehicle traffic crossed the creek at the historic Burnside Bridge. In order to restore the historic bridge to its 1862 appearance, a bypass road—Burnside Bridge Road—and a new bridge were built.

Sherrick Farm Trail near the intersection with Burnside Bridge Road at Antietam National Battlefield

1966 bridge over Antietam Creek on the Burnside Bridge Road, Antietam National Battlefield

View of Antietam Creek from the bridge on Burnside Bridge Road

If you want to hike to the historic Burnside Bridge, you can do so on the Union Advance Trail. Walk to the east end of the bridge and look for a SHERRICK TRAIL sign. Technically, the trail ends at the Union Advance Trail, but if you have no interest in walking to the Burnside Bridge, just turn around here and head back. Otherwise, step through the gap between the bridge and the guardrail and head down a steep hill to the Union Advance Trail. Burnside Bridge is a .3-mile walk from the intersection of the two trails.

Sherrick Farm Trail continues on the far end of the Burnside Bridge Road bridge over Antietam Creek, Antietam National Battlefield

Steep portion of the Sherrick Farm Trail right before the intersection with the Union Advance Trail at Antietam National Battlefield

The Sherrick Farmhouse is a quarter mile down Burnside Bridge Road to the west (opposite direction from the bridge). There is no road shoulder, so it’s not the safest roadside walk. It’s best to drive to it if you want a photo. None of the buildings are open to the public.

Sherrick Farmhouse and outbuildings, Antietam National Battlefield

Of all the trails at Antietam National Battlefield, the Sherrick Farm Trail is the one I recommend skipping since it does not go to the actual historical farm buildings and it never comes within eyesight of Antietam Creek. The other trails in the park cover important terrain on the battlefield, pass monuments and artillery exhibits you can’t get to in a vehicle, and really add a lot to understanding the battle. The Sherrick Farm Trail is just a walk in the woods for the most part, and not that interesting of a walk.

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