Glen Echo Park Custom Search Glen Echo began in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly 'to promote liberal and practical education, especially among the masses of the people; to teach the sciences, arts, languages, and literature; to prepare its patrons for their several pursuits and professions in life; and to fit them for the duties which devolve upon them as members of society.' By 1900, Glen Echo was on its way to becoming a premier amusement park, and it served the Washington area as such until 1968. Today the park has come full circle, the land and the historic buildings a back drop for a rich arts education program. Since 1971, the National Park Service at Glen Echo Park has been offering year-round activities in dance, theater, and the arts for the surrounding communities and for visitors from across the country. The park also administers an artist-in-residency program providing the public with an opportunity to see artists at work. There are concerts, demonstrations, workshops, and festivals during the warm months as a part of the Chautauqua Summer season. In addition, the antique hand-carved and hand-painted Dentzel carousel, saved by community effort, operates four days a week from May through September, and the Gallery and Bookshop features park artists in its exhibits.    CONTACTS Email - GWMP_Superintendent@nps.gov Write to 7300 MacArthur Boulevard Glen Echo, MD 20812 Phone Headquarters - 301-492-6229 Visitor Information Recorded Message - 301-492-6282 TRAVEL BASICS Getting There CAR - From I-495 to exit 40 - Cabin John Parkway and Glen Echo. Stay in the left most lane of the exit ramp and bear left at the 'Y'. Follow the Cabin John Parkway east, where it will merge with the Clara Barton Parkway. Stay in the left most lane. Make a sharp, hairpin left turn following the signs to MacArthur Blvd and Glen Echo. Immediately after the sharp left, get in the right lane and bear right at the 'Y'. The road will curve to the right and then end at MacArthur Blvd at a stop sign. Turn left onto MacArthur Blvd, go one block past the Exxon Station at the intersection with Goldsboro Rd and turn left into the Glen Echo Park parking lot. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Take Montgomery County Ride-On bus #29 operating daily from the Friendship Heights metro station on the Red Line. FEES/PERMITS Entrance Fee GLEN ECHO PARK Free! There is no charge to enter the park, and parking is free. Some activities--carousel rides, theater shows, museum visits, dances, etc.-- do have admission fees. FACILITIES THE SPANISH BALLROOM Open All Year Special Programs - This building is fascinating. It is completely unreal but it is a magnet for thousands from the surrounding districts and from across the country for the dances that take place there every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, while it also represents a slice of local history and nostalgia. More...   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Glen Echo Park.   Campgrounds Near Glen Echo Park: Harmony Place Trailer Park, Alexandria, 13 miles away Cherry Hill Park, College Park, 13 miles away Valley Mill Camp, Germantown, 14 miles away Lake Fairfax Park, Reston, 16 miles away Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, 16 miles away Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station, 17 miles away Hillwood Camping Park, Gainesville, 17 miles away   Marinas Near Glen Echo Park: Columbia Island Marina, Arlington , 5 miles away Columbia Island Marina, Washington , 7 miles away Seafarers Boat Club, Washington , 8 miles away Washington Marina, Washington , 8 miles away Fairfax Yacht Club, Alexandria , 10 miles away   Hotels Near Glen Echo Park: Hyatt Regency Bethesda, Bethesda , 3 miles away Residence Inn Bethesda Downtown, Bethesda , 3 miles away Doubletree Hotel Bethesda, Bethesda , 3 miles away American Inn, Bethesda , 3 miles away Hilton Garden Inn Bethesda, Bethesda , 3 miles away Bethesda Marriott Suites, Bethesda , 3 miles away Golden Tulip Bethesda Court Hotel, Bethesda , 3 miles away   Trails Near Glen Echo Park: Western Ridge Trail, District of Columbia County , 6 miles away Rock Creek Park Bike Trail, District of Columbia County , 6 miles away Upland Trail, District of Columbia County , 6 miles away Woods Trail, District of Columbia County , 6 miles away White Horse Trail, District of Columbia County , 6 miles away   Beaches Near Glen Echo Park: Bathing Beach, District of Columbia County , 8 miles away   Ski Areas Near Glen Echo Park: Ski Liberty, Pennsylvania , 46 miles away, 620 foot drop, 8 lifts, 16 runs Ski Roundtop, Pennsylvania , 63 miles away, 600 foot drop, 11 lifts, 15 runs   Whitewater Near Glen Echo Park: Potomac River, Montgomery County , 1 miles away, Class II-III(IV) - 2 miles long (Little Falls) Pimmit Run, Fairfax / Arlington County , 2 miles away, Class IV(V) - 0 miles long (Glebe Road to Potomac) Cabin John Creek, Montgomery County , 3 miles away, Class -blank- - 3 miles long (River Road to Potomac) Pimmit Run, Fairfax / Arlington County , 4 miles away, Class II-III - 3 miles long (Old Dominion Drive to above Glebe Road) Rock Creek, DC County , 5 miles away, Class I-III - 4 miles long (Military Road to Potomac River in D.)   Public Lands Near Glen Echo Park: Great Falls Park, McLean - VA , 4 miles away Wolf Trap Farm Park, Vienna - VA , 9 miles away Fort Washington Park, Fort Washington - MD , 15 miles away George Washington's Grist Mill Historic State Park, Virginia , 14 miles away Seneca Creek State Park, Maryland , 16 miles away Mason Neck State Park, Virginia , 18 miles away Patuxent River State Park, Maryland , 21 miles away   Golf Courses Near Glen Echo Park: Bethesda Country Club, Bethesda , 3 miles away Golf Course, Arlington , 3 miles away Washington Golf & Country Club, Arlington , 3 miles away Brownson Harry B Country Club, Shelton , 4 miles away Tpc Potomac At Avenel Farm, Potomac , 5 miles away   Lakes Near Glen Echo Park Lake Barcroft, Fairfax County , 7 miles away Lake Needwood, Montgomery County , 7 miles away Tridelphia Reservoir, Montgomery County , 15 miles away Triadelphia Reservoir, Howard County , 15 miles away Greenbelt Lake, Prince George's County , 16 miles away