Fort Washington Park Custom Search Picturesque Fort Washington sits on high ground overlooking the Potomac River and offers a grand view of Washington and the Virginia shoreline. Today, only one silent gun stands behind the masonry wall-the last armament of the powerful fort that once guarded the water approach to our Nation's Capital. The old fort is one of the few U.S. seacoast fortifications still in its original form. When ocean-going warships had wood sides and carried smoothbore cannons, no enemy would attempt to ascend the river before destroying the fort. But changing technology made the fort useless. Our government built concrete emplacements to meet the threat of iron-sided ships and rifled guns. When they became obsolete the post was turned over to the infantry and finally became a military training facility. Over 200 years of army presence has left the park with a diverse group of military structures and a rich history of service to our country and the Nation's Capital. The 341 acre park offers an assortment of recreational opportunities. Picnic areas can be reserved for group activities and fishermen try their luck along the shore. There are also hiking and biking trails and a playground for children. It is not unusual to see eagles circling the river or deer feeding in the park during morning and evening twilight. There are also a large variety of birds. You can always discover something interesting at Fort Washington Park.     CONTACTS Email - NACE_Superintendent@nps.gov Fax- 301-763-1389 Write to 13551 Fort Washington Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 Phone Visitor Information - (301)763-4600 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Historic Fort and Visitor Center 9:00am-5:00pm, daily April 1 thru September 30. 9:00am-4:30pm, daily October 1 thru March 31. Park Grounds 8:00am-Dark Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day Getting There CAR - From Washington DC: Capital Beltway (I-495) to Exit 3A (Indian Head Highway or MD210), continue to Fort Washington Road, turn right, follow to the park entrance. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - No Public Transportation to the park. Accessibility The Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible. Access is limited in certain areas of the fort. FACILITIES HISTORIC FORT Open All Year Phone - 301-763-4600 Special Programs - Lving History Programs conducted throughout the summer months. Visitor Centers FORT WASHINGTON VISITOR CENTER Open All Year Phone - 301-763-4600 Location - The yellow house on the hill in front of the Historic Fort. Closures - Due to staffing, the Visitor Center will be closed periodically without notice. Exhibits - Exhibits include information and artifacts describing the history of Fort Washington as the Capital's Guardian. Audio-visual program explores the park's history and special exhibits from time to time depicted elements of the park's history. Available Facilities - Restroom, water cooler, bookstore   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 Fort Washington Park.   Campgrounds Near Fort Washington Park: Louise F Cosca County Park, Clinton, 5 miles away L F Cosca Regional Park, Clinton, 5 miles away Andrews AFB, Andrews Air Force Base, 7 miles away Harmony Place Trailer Park, Alexandria, 8 miles away Cedarville State Park, Brandywine, 11 miles away Fort Belvoir, Fort Belvoir, 13 miles away Cedarville State Forest - Family Camp Ground, Brandywine, 13 miles away   Marinas Near Fort Washington Park: National Harbor Marina, Oxon Hill , 3 miles away Tantallon Marina, Fort Washington , 3 miles away Washington Sailing Marina, Alexandria , 6 miles away James Creek Marina, Washington , 6 miles away Fairfax Yacht Club, Alexandria , 6 miles away   Hotels Near Fort Washington Park: Red Roof PLUS+ Washington DC-Oxon Hill, Oxon Hill , 2 miles away Comfort Inn Oxon Hill, Oxon Hill , 3 miles away Harborside Hotel, Oxon Hill , 3 miles away Hampton Inn - Suites National Harbor-Alexandria Area, Oxon Hill , 3 miles away MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill , 3 miles away Residence Inn National Harbor Washington, DC Area, Oxon Hill , 3 miles away Hotel Indigo OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA, Alexandria , 5 miles away   Trails Near Fort Washington Park: Swamp Trail, District of Columbia County , 9 miles away Woods Trail, District of Columbia County , 9 miles away Upland Trail, District of Columbia County , 9 miles away Rock Creek Park Bike Trail, District of Columbia County , 10 miles away Valley Trail, District of Columbia County , 11 miles away   Beaches Near Fort Washington Park: Bathing Beach, District of Columbia County , 8 miles away   Ski Areas Near Fort Washington Park: Ski Liberty, Pennsylvania , 61 miles away, 620 foot drop, 8 lifts, 16 runs Ski Roundtop, Pennsylvania , 73 miles away, 600 foot drop, 11 lifts, 15 runs   Whitewater Near Fort Washington Park: Anacostia River, Prince Georges County , 10 miles away, Class I - 10 miles long (Highway 3 to Potomac) Rock Creek, n a County , 11 miles away, Class II-III+(V) - 4 miles long (Above Military Road to Pierce Mill Dam) Pimmit Run, Fairfax Arlington County , 13 miles away, Class IV(V) - 0 miles long (Glebe Road to Potomac) Four Mile Run, Arlington County , 13 miles away, Class III - 4.5 miles long (Ohio Street to Arlington Ridge Road) Rock Creek, DC County , 13 miles away, Class I-III - 4 miles long (Military Road to Potomac River in D.)   Public Lands Near Fort Washington Park: Greenbelt Park, Greenbelt - MD , 15 miles away Glen Echo Park, McLean - VA , 15 miles away Great Falls Park, McLean - VA , 17 miles away George Washington's Grist Mill Historic State Park, Virginia , 11 miles away Rosaryville State Park, Maryland , 12 miles away Cedarville State Forest, Maryland , 12 miles away Chapel Point State Park, Maryland , 15 miles away   Golf Courses Near Fort Washington Park: Henson Creek Golf Course, Fort Washington , 2 miles away Tantallon Golf & Country Club, Fort Washington , 3 miles away Potomac Ridge, Waldorf , 6 miles away Greendale Golf Course, Alexandria , 6 miles away Robin Dale Golf Club, Brandywine , 8 miles away   Lakes Near Fort Washington Park Lake Barcroft, Fairfax County , 12 miles away Greenbelt Lake, Prince George's County , 14 miles away Gilbert Run Lake, Charles County , 17 miles away