About Fort Washington Park
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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Maryland. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
Open daily, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Activities
Current Alerts
The National Park Service is imposing a temporary closure of Farmington Landing. This temporary closure is necessary to provide for visitor safety during a comprehensive rehabilitation project to restore park resources and improve the visitor experience. Work will include resurfacing the parking lot, replacing parking barriers, replacing trash cans with new wildlife-proof trash cans, and installing new fishing rod holders. The National Park Service appreciates the public’s cooperation in this matter.
The National Park Service is imposing a temporary closure of Fort Foote Park. This temporary closure is necessary to provide for visitor safety during a comprehensive rehabilitation project to restore park resources and improve the visitor experience. Work will include resurfacing the parking lot and gravel roadway, replacing parking barriers, removing the abandoned restroom facility and reseeding the area, and replacing trash cans with new wildlife-proof trash cans.
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East
Become a Junior Ranger at parks across National Capital Parks – East! Explore, complete a booklet, and earn badges and…
Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps
Start your stamp collection and celebrate every park you visit! Explore historic sites and scenic parks managed by National Capital…
Watch an Artillery Demonstration at Fort Washington Park
Ever wonder how Civil War cannons were fired? Visit the park the first Sunday of every month from May to…
Birding at Fort Washington Park
Come for the history, stay for the birds. Fort Washington Park has a diverse array of bird species spread among…
Bicycle Smallwood State Park to Oxon Cove Park
The on-road bicycling route between Smallwood State Park and Oxon Cove Park makes connections with parks and historic sites.
Visitor Centers
Fort Washington Park Visitor Center
Built in the 1820s, this bright yellow building was once the home of Fort Washington's commander. Today, it serves as the Visitor Center for Fort…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
