Tips on how to have a safe and fun 4th of July on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
- Wear sunscreen and reapply it often throughout the day. Be alert to the signs of heatstroke and heat exhaustion.
- Drink plenty of water. It is easy to get dehydrated.
- Bring bug spray.
- Do not go under or near a tent, under or near a tree, or into an open field during a storm. You risk bodily injury from lightning or falling objects.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The ground may be uneven.
- Do not climb over or remove fencing.
- Stay out of construction areas.
- Do not walk on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. If you need to cross the Parkway, only do so in a desigated/marked crosswalk.
- No swimming or wading is allowed in the Potomac River.
- To ensure everyone’s safety along the Mount Vernon Trail, visitors are asked to pay extra attention to trail rules during the busy holiday.
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- All trail users must keep right, move off the pavement when stopping, leash pets, and obey all posted signs. Bicyclists must proceed along the trail with extreme caution at lower speeds to accommodate for the large numbers of park visitors expected on the holiday. In addition, bicyclists should keep to the right, pass on the left, travel in single file, dismount at road and driveway crossings, and give audible warnings before passing others on the trail.
- Keep your pets on leashes no longer than 6' in length.
