Fort Hunt Park
Welcome
to Fort Hunt Park! The George Washington Memorial Parkway manages this popular
area. The park is open year- round, and has several picnic areas with a variety
of facilities. Throughout the year,picnic area "E" is available to
all visitors on a "first come, first served" basis. April through
October, the park administers a picnic reservation program. For a fee, groups
may reserve a picnic area for their exclusive use.
Reservations must be made in advance at 1-800-365-2267.
Reservation Schedule/Picnic Area Information/Regulations
Park History:
Today, the sites and sounds of picnickers camouflage the unusual history of this site. Located along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, this area is just eleven miles south of Washington, D. C. Its proximity to the Nation's capital dramatically effected the land use history. What occurred on this site frequently mirrored the political and social history of the United States. From the colonial era to the present, this site was used as a farm, a Spanish American War coastal fortification, the setting for top secret WWII military intelligence operations, and now as a popular picnic area along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
The park staff has conducted some limited research on the historical uses of this site. If you are interested in more information, you may wish to visit two different extended Fort Hunt pages. These pages are actually research papers from the George Washington Memorial Parkway's historical files. Although each extended page provides a general outline of the historical use of the site, the research papers have a different focus providing more specific information on one era of history. "Fort Hunt, Virginia - A Historical Sketch; focuses on when the site was a 19th century coastal fortification; while "Fort Hunt - The Forgotten Story" highlights the use of this site for WWII intelligence activities.
Operating Hours:
The park is open from 7:00 a.m. until sunset, year-round for general recreational park use, such as jogging, nature observation, and biking. When the Fort Hunt Picnic Reservation Program is in operation from April through October, Areas "A, B, C-1, C-2, C-3, and D" are reserved for the exclusive use of the permitee. For information regarding the availability and use restrictions of permitted picnic areas, please visit our extended page on picnic reservation information.
Directions:
Fort Hunt Park is located along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Fairfax County, Virginia.
From Downtown Washington, DC: take 14th Street Bridge south towards Virginia. Take exit for Mount Vernon/National Airport; this puts you on the George Washington Memorial Parkway southbound; continue past National Airport, through Old Town Alexandria (for two miles, the Parkway becomes Washington Street through Old Town; when, you reach the city limits, you are back on the Parkway); Fort Hunt Park is 5 miles south of Old Town Alexandria; exit to the right at the sign marked "Fort Hunt Road/Fort Hunt Park".
Telephone Numbers:
For picnic reservations: 1-800-365-2267
For activities and ranger led programs: 703-289-2550
Special Programs and Activities:
Fort Hunt Concerts:
Do you enjoy the sultry sounds of jazz, the rhythm of rock, or the fun of folk? If so, you'll find something for everyone at the Fort Hunt Concert Series each summer! These free concerts are generally held on Sundays from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Fort Hunt Park in Virginia from mid-June through July or August.
For further information, please contact (703) 289-2500 or look at our Calendar of Events. (link below).
Junior Ranger Program:
We invite 3rd through 6th graders interested in exploring Fort Hunt Park's natural and cultural history to join our Junior Ranger Program. Explore the historical batteries, test the health of a local wetland, and earn a Junior Ranger badge while discovering just how much fun it is to be a Junior Ranger! To find out more about this free, fun-filled, educational program, call 703-289-2556 or visit our Calendar or Events (link below) or contact the park at 703-289-2500.
E-Mail Us Your Questions About Fort Hunt.