washington monument state park

Nice place. Also laid back, you can take your time. I am taking my son next time so he can see it.My husband's family is from Zittletown and Middletown. It was nice seeing how things have and have not changed.

As one of the nation's first monuments to our first president, the Washington Monument atop South Mountain is not as majestic as the iconic one in DC. That said, the monument is definitely worth the trip to see it. The hike is uphill, but relatively gentle enough for most. Once at the top, don't miss the chance to go to the top of the monument itself and take in the views, where on clear days, you can see into neighboring states.

This park contains a museum about the Civil War battles that happened in the park. It's worth going just for that (although the museum on Gathland State Park should be in your list after this one). It also has nice views and the Washington Monument. This place is worth stopping for just for a bathroom break if needed. Note that this place has seasonal hours and is closed in the winter.

Very nice park. Well kept and very interesting. Easy walk to the monument and wonderful views. Tom and Trish in the visitor center were extremely helpful, even to the point of telling us where to get some great ice at a local creamery. I highly recommend a stop here.

We only found this park because we missed the turn to go elsewhere, and we were so glad we did! The Civil War interpretation centre was really well done and the park itself is beautiful, with excellent views of the valley. The gentleman on duty was a delight to talk to. The cairn erected to Washington is unusual, a unique statement of homage paid by local citizens to the 1st President.Well worth the detour.

The best thing about it is the view of the valley. The monument itself looks like a chimney and is very underwhelming. The staff in the visitor center, a nice older man, was very helpful. Not worth a detour.

The highlight of the park is the first monument built to honor George Washington. It was built to a height of 15' with a base 54' in circumference in one day by most of the citizens from nearby Boonsboro, MD on 7/4/1827. Its most recent restoration was by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936 and it stands at 34 feet high now. You actually reach it by hiking on part of the Appalachian Trail and once at the monument there is a small winding staircase to the top which has a viewing platform. You can look out over the surrounding area for miles on a clear day. During the Civil War, the Union Army used it as a signal station. Picnic tables and grills are available in the park, as well as restrooms and a small museum. On the day of our visit, a group was providing a "hiker feed" for thru hikers of the Appalachian Trail and we got to talk to Dinosaur (trail name), a young lady from Germany. Most interesting. This park is definitely worth visiting and I hope to return.

Having visited Harper's Ferry, I crossed the Shenandoah and the Potomac Rivers and drove on scenic Route 67 north toward the state park. The view of the valley and the surrounding hills from the site of the monument, atop Stone Mountain, is sweeping and truly lovely. The children (ages 10 and 7) made paper flags and signaled to us from the top of the tower, akin to the signaling the soldiers did in the Civil War. There is a children's play area (with slides) and picnic tables near the parking lot and restrooms. This is an easy access spot to the monument and to hike on the Appalachian Trail.

The 'original' Washington Monument offers easy access to wonderful views of the valleys on either side of South Mountain. The monument sits right on the Appalachian trail and is accessible by a 1/4 mile slightly uphill hike from the parking lot in the recreational area of the park. The staircase to the top platform of the monument is tight and dark in the center of its two story climb so may be a little unsettling for some, but the view westward is rewarding even from the base of the monument. Plaques describe the history of the monument and the views. This is also a popular spot for observing the hawk migrations that occur along the South Mountain range in the spring and the fall. A tote board of hawk sightings from the most recent season can be found near the entrance to the trail to the monument. Fall color can also be wonderful here especially near sunset when the light seems to glow in the leaves.

My son and his scout troop went camping near by so we paid a visit to the park. First the park was beautiful. Then we had to hike up the trail to see the First Washington Monument and it was great. Then we climb to the top and the views were spectacular. I mean that's the only way to describe it. We felt in aww. I have to bring the rest of my family back to see this. I took a lot of pictures and the are beautiful, but it can't do it justice. You have to come and see it for yourself.

Hiked into this lovely little state park on the Appalachian Trail, which cuts right through the middle of the park. Can't speak for an entrance fee, because they didn't charge folks walking on the trail. Coming in from the north, you hit the tower first. This was a monument built spontaneously by hand by folks from the nearby town to commemorate George Washington way back on July 4, 1827. It was later rebuilt and repaired by the CCC in the 1930s (someone blew half of it up with dynamite).The climb is well worth it, but the views from either the top or the bottom are great. Stairs were narrow, but it was very cool inside on a hot August day!Afterwards, it's a gravely path down to the parking lot. We enjoyed having plenty of water to drink, then explored the museum on the site. It was informative about the history of the monument (and an interesting history it has!) and about the small battles that occurred in these mountains during the Civil War. Well worth a twenty minute walk-through.There is also an overnight hikers lot available for those wanting to hike this section of the AT and sleep out in the woods.

What a little gem. There is a quarter mile slight uphill walk to this stone cairn/tower type monument. It's worth the walk for the spectacular view. You can see how the mtn was used by Civil War signal corps. Sweet little museum and lots of historic places to visit nearby. Small fee.

We stumbled upon the park on our way to Antietam as a quick stop on a road trip home. It's not very large, but very scenic and in the middle of the country. It's a short little 5-10 minute hike to get to the top of the mountain and see the tower. Gorgeous view, but very windy. The stairs to get to the top of the tower are a little wet and narrow and you can get almost the same view from the bottom.

This is a state park; price is $2.00 per car if in state; and $4.00 per car if out of state resident.It opens at dawn and closes at dusk. The roads to get there are fun to drive, curvy and hilly. The Appalachian Trail goes right through the park. You drive to the parking area where the "round" Washington Monument is. There are restrooms. There is a pavilion you can rent there; although it was so small I wonder who rents it. It is a short walk to the monument but is on an incline, but it is a flat path. The area around the monument allows for views of the valley below. The monument is open and has around 30 steps. At the top there is an area for about 8 people to stand. The day we arrived there were birders at the top of the monument counting migrating birds of prey. The birds follow the updrafts along the ridge at that location. It was a nice view, (not much color) but not something to return to.

We had a very nice visit on Saturday, Sept. 14 with very few visitors present. A short hike to the monument itself was rewarded with sunny, clear views. It's been about 6 years since our last visit and I don't remember the George Washington history signs before (nice touch)! Only small crowd of people we encountered were "bird watchers" milling around at the top of the monument. The weather was perfect with both the museum and the restrooms open. Several families were enjoying the trails, picnic areas and view from the monument. We found a caterpillar and beautiful butterfly but no migratory bird sightings. The talus slopes are almost as impressive as the monument itself. Those boulders are massive and numerous! Definitely a great 1/2 day visit spot.