A large stone monument to war correspondents stands near the former home of Civil War journalist George Alfred Townsend. The Appalachian Trail passes the base of the monument and runs through this 140-acre day-use park; has 37.5 miles of the interstate hiking trail are in Maryland. The historic park includes all of Crampton's Gap, the southernmost gap fought over during the 1862 battle of South Mountain; this was the site of the first major battle of the Civil War fought in Maryland.
Recreation at the park includes cross country skiing, picnicking and shelter, and historic interest activities at the site's museum and visitor center. The park sponsors ongoing interpretive Civil War programs that include an annual 'Living History' festival on the first weekend following Labor Day. Future plans for park facilities include a reference library, and a museum depicting the Battle of South Mountain.