Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

All clear. The managing agency, the National Weather Service and wildfire reporting show no current alerts.

Overview

Built to defend the river approach to Washington, DC, Fort Washington has stood sentry for over 200 years. As technologies advanced, so did Fort Washington from the brick and stone of the 19th century to the concrete and steel of the 20th century.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Living History
  • Historic Weapons Demonstration
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Fort Washington Park: Open daily, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Fort Washington Historic Fort: Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fort Washington Park Gated Areas: Open daily for pedestrian access from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and for vehicle access through gated areas from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; gates are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Getting there

From I-95/495 take exit 3, Indian Head Highway South/MD 210. Travel about 4 miles to Fort Washington Road, turn right. The park is located at the end of the road. From Waldorf, MD: MD228 to Indian Head Highway/MD210 North. Turn left onto Old Fort Road. Continue to end of road, at the stop sign turn left onto Fort Washington Road, continue to park entrance.

Visitor centers

Weather

Summers are generally hot and humid, with daytime highs frequently above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Please carry water while participating in physical activity and be prepared to take shelter from lightning. Winters are generally cold, with nighttime lows frequently near freezing and occasional snowfall. Weather during spring and fall is generally moderate, but can change quickly.

Phone: 771-208-1555

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Fort Washington Volunteers firing a cannon
Fort Washington Volunteers firing a cannon · NPS Photo
a green shoreline with small lighthouse along river at sunset
Potomac View · NPS/JGernatt
Picnic tables under a tree
Picnic Area at Fort Washington Park · NPS Photo/ C LaBarge
Men in blue army uniforms pose by a cannon.
Cannon crew at Fort Washington · NPS / Marcey Frutchey
A female park ranger talks with a man and woman in a fort
Fort tour · (NPS/JGernatt)

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