Reviews of Fort Washington Park (Park)

Glen Morris

A historical place to go, even on a rainy day! Fort Washington has some really unique landscaping and infrastructure to go and learn a little more about the areas and the country's history. They do have a small information center. The information personal that are there to provide assistance are also very friendly. It will take about 1-2 hours to get through everything and has some great scenic drives!

Karyna S

Really pretty area, green and nature. Great get away from the crazy bustle of roadways. Several boarded up buildings. Wish the was a little more explained more areas. Sad people leave there trash down by water. I picked some up but was not prepared to do as such and there was so much!

Tom Yee

The fort and old gun batteries are great to explore. You get a fantastic view of the Potomac River too. Bring water during the summer because it can be hot. The visitor center has a small museum and cool air conditioning. There are tons of picnic tables and even fishing spots.

Haylee Grauel

We really enjoyed our time here. It's a great place to picnic and enjoy being outside. The buildings aren't as well maintained as other historic spots in the area, but it's also much less crowded and touristy. We will likely return to spend more time walking around the grounds.

Andrea Muschette

It was great visiting this place

Robert Tafares

Good fishing and nice atmosphere.

Angel Reil

Awesome piece of history.

CEO Cupcake

A getaway and lunch date for my wife and I. We love the quite and scenery

John Lane

Amazing piece of history! You can go inside nearly everything and explore. Rangers will explain everything about everything if you have the time. The grounds are also a great recreational area. Thank you Rangers!

Karl Talbott

Very cool Fort

Colin Hubbard

Incredible history to be had.

Nikki Winns

Pretty scenery and a place to just relax.

Alex B.

Fantastic National Park that has so much U.S. history. 250 year old fort that is in unbelievable condition. It's like walking back in time. Grounds are immaculate, never gets crowded and the views, especially of the Potomac River, are incredible. So close to DC and easy to get to.

Sarah Beaumont

A hidden gem . We had a lovely walk and enjoyed the river.

David Borger Germann

Great place to bring young kids! Loved this.

Sean Gaetjen

One of my favorite parks. Quiet, great views, nice trail for hiking. The place is like a castle, too, which makes it even cooler.

Dmytro Karataiev

Great place to enjoy sunset in winter.

Ingris

Wonderful park for long walks and exploring with kids. Many historical sites to see!

William Clark

It has a great view of the river it was nice to see the deer RUNNING around quiet and peaceful.

Don Princo

Once you get in it feels like they are in a race to separate you from your money.A small bottle of water ranges from $4 and up.

John Wilkinson

Not as wilderness oriented, but still a nice place to walk around.

Laurie Preston

This park is great for walks and jogs. There is parking but you have to look for it. Don't plan to use the bathroom there.

Laura Almirez

Amazing great hike

Katie Callander

My favorite park! So much to explore! I have been three times and still haven’t explored all the forts/batteries.

John Wils9

Very nice park with a river path and nice fort. You can look across the water and see Mount Vernon.

Princess lop

Very good

Michael Montoya

Nice historic place to visit. Beautiful park. Nice for playing games, sports, or a nice picnic. The rivers edge is a bit dirty and littered. Please clean up after yourselves and use trash receptacles. Let's keep our parks beautiful.

Mark Allen

I wish the old fort was better taken care of.

703 CRUIZ'N

This was an amazing place to visit. I've always said that I was going to come here and 10 years later I finally accomplished it. Great place to bring the kids there's a visitor center a few old buildings and a few trails. Perfect for fishing walking hiking or a stroll with your dog.

Chelsey Lawson

This is my second time at Fort Washington and it was even better than the last. This time I was able to enter the Fort (I had gone after it closed the first time) and it was so cool. You can wonder all around and see some great views of the Potomac. There is an old cannon display and some informative boards around the area. Some parts don't have any information at all so I had a lot of questions but it was kind of fun to speculate how people used the area. The park is free for the rest of the season, I think usually it might be $10. Also dogs are allowed on leash.

Michelle Mitton

It's interesting and a pretty view of the National Harbor, though very quiet and not much happening.

noizebatch nine

- Cool place - Nice to walk around - Nice to do photography - Pet friendly - Quite area

Gwen Haynes

Great place to walk and enjoy scenery! Park is excellently maintained

Ed Weiser

Really well preserved fort. Almost none restricted access to the entire area

Jeff Stilwell

Amazing history, with fantastic views of the potomac from the ramparts. A claustrophobia inducing holding cell wad a highlight. As was the gopher and beaver spotting. Many great echo opportunities for the 3 yrs old.

Chris Taylor

A very nice somewhat secluded park not far from downtown Washington. The fort is well preserved and very interesting to walk through. There is also plenty of parking and green space to walk around. There is separate parking near a path that leads down to the lighthouse and the river. Great views from the fort as well as from the shore near the lighthouse. There are picnic table(s) down by the lighthouse. The staff was very friendly and helpful as well.

Geneva Eiland

It’s so relaxing! I’ve been going since I was a child! I love to go to clear my mind. Sometimes they charge $10 for entry and you’re allowed to return up to three days after purchase free with your receipt.

edward leonard

Such a great place to visit. Loads of cool stuff to see. And this park is expansive! I had to drive to see it all. Lots of places to privately enjoy nature.

Godtheson Thomas

One of the most beautiful places in the world!

HighSteppin 747

Overall I like this park. You can bring the family but there are certain areas of the park that aren’t as kid friendly, so don’t let little ones roam alone. You’ll enjoy the access to multiple trails, historic museum and artifacts, picnic areas and even a light house. My Husband and I go there mainly for walking/jogging. I’ve seen photographers taking pics with models over by the fort gates on one occasion and I’ve had deer walk right pass me on he road on another so...I’d say you just never know with this park! Lol

Jithu Johny Panjikkaran

Peaceful and great to take kids to. A historic place with variety of activities to indulge in. In off seasons, entery to the park is free. Else there is a parking fee.

John McFarland

Fort Washington National park is excellent. At least three miles of walking trail. Outstanding view of the Potomac river. The fort is is a very good historical landmark. Park fee booth wasn't open. Season not started. Because of this, very limited crowd. Visitor center was open. Right minute movie available on the history of the fort. Small lighthouse at the river bank. Fishing is allowed. Highly recommended for history buffs.

Ken Urban

Great views but a smaller park.

Michael Garcia

My go to place for wildlife photography and sunsets at the Lighthouse. They have 240+ acres of amazing woods and there is am old Fort to Explore.

Darin Cook

History with beautiful views of the Potomac River. Fishing available. Great place to let the kids stretch their legs!

Cameron Smith

What an awesome experience!!! Huge fort with several places to visit. Access alowed to most areas. Was also free when we went on 6 Feb.

Mary Henrie

This was so much fun. It was fun to explore the old tunnels and stairways. Would love to go back

Tracie Addison

Great fishing spot

Emma Dereje

We visit Fort Washington Park every Memorial Day. Great place to have a picnic and take a walk.

Greg D.C.

Had a Memorial Day family event and it was beautiful

Lynn Reich

Beautiful park with a history bonus. Enjoyed the river trail especially. Would like to come back in the warmer weather and see some of the living history programs.

Will S

A very cool destination to explore, have a picnic, walk your dog, etc, but much of the fort structure is run down. Up to you if that adds to the allure.

Ashley Evans

this is my favorite place to go to think and just be to myself. I love having such a historical site so close to home, and without the crowds of DC.

John Darney

Nice area to walk around or go fishing

Theodore Ranger

Didn't go inside the fort before it is pretty big but it's a good place to go fishing if you want to catch catfish

mark mcneary

Beautiful park , needs to be upkept a little better

Margaret Proctor

The view is nice it's nice and quiet but you can't really go down to put your feet in the water because there's a lot of debri

Catherine Stewart

We really enjoyed our visit to this park. It definitely has seen better days; a number of the buildings are either boarded up or falling apart. However, they basically give you free reign to walk and climb wherever you want in the old fort. My kids had a lot of fun exploring all the different parts of the Fort. The views of the Potomac are beautiful too. There is a port-a-potty at the Fort and a bathroom with flush toilets by the parking lot closer to the water and the light house.

Vijay Sale

Nice place for one day trip

Kristina Lee

Very educational

Warren Jones

Such an expansive park plenty of room for flying a kite, bicycling or jogging. Free admission after 4pm. The historic fort is very picturesque. Just be careful around the old battery installations, you or your children can be easily injured climbing around these old war structures.

Elisa Seth

It's a great place to walk, bike, and picnic. There is a playground and plenty of grassy areas. The picnic tables are in groupings under trees and bathroom facilities nearby. As far as historical sightseeing, it's just a few brick structures that you can enter and climb up. There is a small lighthouse and you can stand at the shore.

Purify Love

Beaitiful Atmosphere!

Barry Kerns

I wasn't at the park, I was playing golf at National Golf@ Tantallon,

mary beth rodriguez

Great artillery demonstration today!! The volunteers were very knowledgeable.

Princess Anais

Love this place perfect for children and dogs so much to see you definitely won't see it all in one day

Andrea Murray

It's so beautiful here! I love visiting with my kids

Amanda

Peaceful atmosphere. A lot of trails to walk. You can fish there as well.

Kelvin Saravia

Beautiful peaceful

Matt Reese

Great hidden gem just a few miles from National Harbor. The fort is quite large, much larger then I expected and you can explore quite a bit of the fort as well as other structures on the park grounds. I came with my wife, and daughters (2 &4) and we enjoyed our time here. There is also a great new playground.

Jerry Griffis

This park needs funds bad. The fort is pretty amazing but it needs work. Could use more picnic benches. I love the NPS sites but you can tell which ones get funding and this is not one of them.

Veda Rice

Very nice park.

Austin Graff

Fort Washington National Park is a historic fort along the Potomac River just a 25-minute drive from SE D.C. Originally George Washington's vision, the original fort was destroyed in the War of 1812. It was rebuilt in 1824 and the main structure still stands after protecting the capitol city in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I. The fort was used as a training facility in World War II. The National Park Services took it over in 1946. Here's why you should go: 1) History: If you have an interest in history, it's worth a visit. The visitor center sets the stage for the historical significance of the fort. As you explore, there are signs that provide more facts. Several rooms are preserved and set up like a museum. At times, there are even period reenactors there to provide additional context. 2) Exploration: Most of the fort is open for exploration and not well kept adding to the mystery. Behind the fort are hobbit hole-like structures that you can venture into. If you drive around the park, stop and explore all the abandoned forts and houses. It's fascinating! 3) Views: The river views of Alexandria and even the National Mall are stunning. If you're driving back to D.C. afterward, find the local ice cream shop on Yelp on your route.

Anthony Riddick

Great picnic area

Josh Wortman

This is a gorgeous park packed with history. The park stays open until 6p but the fort and bookstore/museum close at 4:30p

Jeanne-Marie Tchoumak

Great view of the Potomac and Woodrow Wilson bridge. The park is a great place for a walk although some of the trails need maintenance. It has an abandoned feel to it and is a great place to learn about civil war history. There are plenty of big Fields to play with your dog as well

Laura Harmon

This would be a really cool place if the funding existed to better maintain it!

Jodie Cals

Beautiful park

Orrin Spencer

Good place to fish

C L Moncrief Sr

Very peaceful and relaxing park. The park Rangers are top notch and very helpful. Great for family picnics, walking and biking.

Mike Keegan

We love visiting Fort Washington. It has a great historic significance. They maintain the property very well. The do live demonstrations of artillery!! Cannons and muskets wow'ed the kids. Come for an exhibit, a nature/history walk, or a picnic.

Theresa Andrews

Wear your walking shoes! This offers a step back into time! Great view overlooking the Potomac!

William Herring

I love this place, you can fish see awesome views of the water as well as your the fort for yourself, mind blowing, the fort closes at 4:30pm. A great place to take the family and that special someone.

Anthony Lewis

Great place get out and enjoy nature and history

michelle reilly

Love forts. The construction of it. Sad that we are letting it get dilapidated.

Lori Currence

Great place to visit and clear your head.

Edward Fulbright

Nice park

Michael Poston

Please increase funding. Such a historical place but desperately needs TLC.

Oluwaseun Fawa

Cool 4 family

little froe

I love this place. History without the war.

SaFiya Hoskins

Plenty of parking and areas to picnic. Historic and situated on the Potomac. Hauntingly beautiful.

Hanna Rozell

Needs repairs and tree maintenance but the view is totally worth it and the history is fascinating.

Frazier Smith

Great Park for History Lessons and Family Reunions.

Glen Masters

Great history, the whole place is falling apart from lack of maintenance, very disappointed the NP would let it deteriot like this.

Christopher Maier

Fort Washington is an excellent adaptation during war time. Hidden cannons, multiple levels of masonry and wood structures, concrete, lighthouse and many other secrets among the grounds. This is a well suited and placed Fort that would have scared the lunch out of any nemesis' buttocks. By the time a cannon would have fired at an enemy ship, it would have been too late to turn back and retreat from the Potomac to the Atlantic Ocean. I'd consider providing the NPS with pro-bono conservation/ preservation design services to maintain the existing structures should they find the repair finances to remediate the long-standing degredation on these grounds. It is in need of much TLC but don't let this deter you from visiting this 8th wonder of the US.

Adam Pierce

A piece of history in the DC area. Well maintained and worth the time. Aside from the fort itself there are a number of picnic areas and a nice hiking trail by the river. Unlike the GW parkway, you can hike beside the river without the constant noise from the cars.

Mike Henrie

A photographer would find the coolest places in the fort... Sadly the fort seems neglected.

Justin Williams

Lots of fun for short walks and bike rides. Very steep walk up to the Fort if you take the road down to the lighthouse.

David Hill

This is a nice Fort with a lot of history but it is in a sad shape of disrepair. The grounds around the fort are well maintained but inside the fort there are saplings and ivy starting to overtake walls and steps. Each Battery outside the fort is in worse shape. When I compare it to other forts I have visited in the past, like Fort Pulaski in Savannah, GA, it seems like the National Park service is going to let this Fort fall apart. Maybe they had a reduction in maintenance staff or something. I'm not sure, but it definitely shows.

Nicholas Chappell

Great park!

Jed Watkins

I REALLY enjoyed visiting Ft. Washington. I had seen it on the other side of the river for years and had always been curious about it. I had no idea about its history and was pleasantly surprised to learn about thia unique American fortress. It is beautiful, interesting, and picturesque; a photographers dream. It makes a great 1/2 day trip for those wanting to get out of DC or a whole day adventure when combined with other attractions in the Ft. Washington area. I with hold the 5th star because i think the National Park Service could do a little better job with providing an interpretation of the site and history, revitalize the signage, and explore a public/private partnership that could really improve the park, its visitation, and the secondary benefits to the local area.

Jordan Davis

Peaceful visit

Timothy Bobo

Nice place to visit

Christian Grand

Managed by the National Park Service, this is a big park that has plenty of hiking and biking. A lovely spot to bring the family and hang out for awhile. The fort is a focal point of the park, much of it restored and original, with placards and intelligent rangers to explain the history.

Helen Plummer

Great place to hike and see some history at the same time...fishing as well... from shore only

Michelle Elliott

It's a beautiful clean park. It's historic it has a picnic area fishing area a playground area for your kids. It's a huge beautiful Park.

Quinn B

A great place to go learn about the history of coastal artillery on the Potomac. I went on a weekday morning in November and had the place virtually to myself. This place is huge, with lots to see from several different eras. Great views of the Potomac all the way to DC in the distance.

Tommy Scott

Lovely park with amazing views of the Potomac, live cannon firings make it awesome. Planes also routinely pass over to land at DCA.

Matthew Hescock

Great place to visit with family

MARINA GRAHAM

It is amazing. Beautiful scenery, a nice park with historic buildings. You are able to walk around the battlefield. If you love history or just want to explore here is a place to go!

F. Floetic Bragg

Nice historical park. Some of the walking trails need paving. Otherwise, nice park

Scott Hartley

It's really nice place to go and visit it's a shame that someone spray paint inside the forts

Sharon D Long

I love my neighborhood parks! This one's a BEAUTY!

Karen Francis

Great place for walking.

Nick

Lack of maintenance on the trails, the history behind it, with no up keep or tours and the left over amount of trash! There are a lot of buildings and forts that do not stand out to see, there can be so much potential here! Great place for picnic, fishing, open boating access, just pay the yearly fee through the national parks and it worth it cause you can go any national parks. Good for locate running and historic view with recreational parts like tennis or basketball. The hours fluctuate when they have staff at the gate, there is sometimes a cost to get it in.

RTFCLB8

Great historical landmark with wonderful views of the Potomac River.

seretegna sefer

Beautiful place to see. Lots of herds of dears.

Jeana Force

Went for a church function. The park is great, but we had to walk a mile from parking lot to where the function was. Parking is quite limited.

Aron Finch

This place is beautiful. Waterfalls and small bridges. I took my 11 and 14 year old girls for a very relaxing and peaceful walk in the trails. We climbed and took turns holding he baby. Great for all ages. Definitely a great place for nature pictures. We will be going back with a picnic lunch. Parking was great. Don’t bring a stroller if you have a baby, bring a chest/back carrier.

Mandy Kallal

Great rangers. Great activities. Like the vintage baseball today.

Hassan Abdullah

Beautiful park however they charge 10 bucks just to enter it. That becomes difficult when you have a lot of people coming to a BBQ or picnic and they all have to pay to get in there.

Kristen Eriksen

It's interesting enough but nothing significant occurred here. More of an enjoyable walk than an educational visit.

Yvonne Jones

Nice, picnic tables, lots of trees

Aidita James

One of the most complete historical forts that I've ever visited. Lots to explore and might need more than one trip. Great for children, the boys played at being military the whole time.

Louise Novak

Beautiful place to walk and see history I just wish that there was funds to bring it up to were it should be

Michael Hessong

Everything closed at 4pm...not friendly staff

Fasttrac68

You can walk in out and around the Fort, nothing was closed off and everything was easily accessible. We met up with a park ranger that was giving a small family a tour and we tagged along. Very knowledgeable staff. They are pet friendly as well as long as they remain on a leash. There is a picnic area and several restrooms strategically placed around the park. I recommend stopping by the information center and grabbing a map to plan your adventure as the park is pretty big.

Gary Christmas

I passed the sign on the highway and decided to stop. Glad I did this is a great park to visit. Loads to see and explore. Be prepared to walk it is spread out. Would be a great place for active younger kids, well preserved so doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see the gun placements manned and ready for action. It is off season so some of the buildings are locked but still tons to explore.

DeVarna Griffin

A very scenic area and beautiful. A place where the family will enjoy themselves.

David Bingham

This is a must see if a history buff or military buff. Incredible how this was built in order to protect early American interest from foreign invasion. The fort itself easy to walk around, going to some other batteries is more difficult since it has not be restored. Much overgrown brush and trees, but worth seeing.

Gabriel Anaya

Truly gorgeous fort with beautiful trails and amazing views of the Potomac

Stephanie Duffy

Great for hiking or biking. Bring food for a picnic!

Amy Rahhal

Great destination. I learned a lot about the history behind it. It cost $10 per car to get in. The facilities are not functioning, water fountains dont work, bathrooms seemed abandoned where garbage and dirt are all over the floors. I feel that if this location is not offering useful facilities and is not maintained as it should be, we shouldn't have to pay entry fees!! Its not justified!

Jess Berndt

Fort Washington Park is a great place to go for a walk or run, with or without your dog. There's a fishing area on the Potomac. The view over the river is spectacular, in the summer there should be all manor of boat traffic going by too. Worth a visit with or without kids.

Dean Woods

Beautiful scenery. The fort was in great shape. The grass in the surrounding areas was very well kept. The lighthouse adds great ambiance to the overall landscape.

marloqhita payne

It use to cost a few bucks to park/visit here now its $10 you do get your pass for a week but it's not worth it if you only can visit the time you came. It has nice views, historic sights and places for cookouts and fishing

Andrometa Elum

Serene atmosphere, nature surrounding, clean and the grounds are kept up!

J. Colt Dickman

Great place to go explore and see some local history. I went in the winter and it was still fantastic but if you went in the summer and took a picnic and maybe your bikes would be a fantastic weekend outing.

Glenn Evans

Nice and clean

Veronica McGee

This place is quiet, romantic, intimate, beautiful and close to home. I go here to meditate and clear my head. Amazing!!

Petra Holden

Not for small children, this sprawling National Park Service complex of battery ruins, garrison lodging, and concrete embankments is a fascinating window into the history of defending America from 1800 through 1940. The grounds are flat-out dangerous for small children, however - there's 20-foot drops everywhere, with limited signage or guard rails. The vista of the Potomac River is fantastic and is itself worth the trip. There's a small visitor center with souvenirs but no food or drinks. If you're a history buff, this is a must-visit.

Gloria Constant

This is my favorite park to walk. Maybe because its off season but it's quiet, beautifully maintained, and has clean bathroom facilities. Plus you get a view of the Potomac.

Richard Brown

Really neat fort. Was surprised how large it was and it has a breathtaking view of the Potomac River. However the fort and exhibits in the park are very poorly maintained. Also wish there were more information podiums around. There were some cool buildings that I wanted to know more about but there were no podiums or park rangers around.

Elroy Murray

Great location, lots of space and its next to the water.

Jafar Hussen

Cross country meets are really fun here, the hill is the best part

Stephanie Cohen

Nice park, the only downside for me was you have to pay $10 just to get in. I've never been to a park that I had to pay more than a dollar to get in. Also, there aren't lights in the bathroom so on a dark day or evening you will not be able to see well when you go inside. There are also no lights in the park area excluding the parking lot I believe.

Alwilter Wilson

Went to get our National Parks Lifetime Senior Pass(62+). It's currently $10.00 and I hear that the cost is going up soon. When we went, we had to go to the Visitor Center. A little hike from the parking lot. I was told that there is a way to drive closer for drop-off if you call ahead. Beautiful view across the Potomac River. An informative video about Fort Washington can be seen at the center.

Patricia Wassall

Beautiful park. A great place to spend the day. While no actual battles were fought here, the tour of the fort we were given by Michael was fantastic.