Physical / Mobility

 

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Visitor Center

Start your visit at the Fort Washington Park Visitor Center. It is in the former home of the fort’s commander, built in the 1820s.

Address:
13551 Fort Washington Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744

 

The park's largest parking lot is next to the visitor center and fort.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Parking

There is a large parking lot by the visitor center.

• 1 van-accessible space (additional unmarked spaces with access aisles)
• 1 accessible space (additional unmarked accessible spaces)
• 350+ standard spaces

It is less than one tenth of a mile on paved sidewalks from the parking lot to the visitor center.

 

The visitor center is a short walk from a large parking lot.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Entrance

The front door has a historic round doorknob that you must grasp and twist to open. If you need help, knock, and park staff will assist you.

Inside you’ll find:

• Two accessible single-user restrooms (no changing tables).
• An information desk with rangers ready to answer your questions.
• A water dispenser with cups.
• Exhibits about the Fort Washington area throughout history.
• A bookstore selling books, pins, posters, toys and other souvenirs.

Wheelchair for Loan

One wheelchair is available to borrow in the visitor center. Ask a ranger or visit the information desk.

 

Watch your step crossing the bridge to the fort gatehouse entrance.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Fort Washington

Fort Washington is a historic fortification. You will have to cross grass, climb stairs, and go over sloped or uneven surfaces to reach some areas of the fort.

Getting to the Fort

Wide, paved sidewalks connect the visitor center and parking lot to the fort entrance.

• Distance from parking lot: about 930 feet
• Distance from visitor center: about 800 feet
• Maximum sidewalk slope: 7%

A wide wood bridge with uneven planks leads into the fort. The bridge is slippery when wet. The archway under the gatehouse is paved with uneven brick.

 

The fort grounds are unpaved and covered in short grass.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Inside the Fort

The fort grounds are unpaved, uneven, and covered in short grass. A loose gravel path runs from the gatehouse through the center of the grounds and loops around several cannons.

Gatehouse

Multiple stairways without railings lead to the upper levels of the gatehouse. The lower rooms have a 3-inch stone lip at the doorway.

Upper Levels of Fort

Grass ramps connect the main grounds to upper areas and walkways around the edge of the fort. A grass ramp with 14% slope leads to the upper back level. This area is uneven with a cross slope of 9%. A grass ramp with a 12% slope leads to the upper river-side area.

 

Even when the Officer's Quarters are closed, you can look in the windows to see inside.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Officer’s Quarters

The Officer’s Quarters are only open on ranger-led tours and during special events. There are three steps to enter the building. Inside, there is one accessible single-user restroom (no changing table). There is a four-inch stone lip up to the porch where there are benches and rocking chairs.

Enlisted Men’s Barracks

The Enlisted Men's Barracks is closed except for special events. There are benches on the front porch and slight lip between the grass and the porch.

 

Join a guided tour of Fort Washington to learn more about its history.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Ranger-Led Tour of Fort Washington

See our calendar for tour times.

• Start location: Visitor center
• Duration: 45 minutes
• End location: Inside the fort
• Number of stops: 5 to 6
• Distance: About 0.3 miles total

The tour is mostly on the unpaved grounds inside the fort. One stop is the Officer’s Quarters which has three steps at the entrance. There are several stops with opportunities to sit.

 

Endicott Batteries

There are several historic battery structures throughout Fort Washington Park. Some are easy to see from the road or paved sidewalks, while others require hiking on unpaved trails. For your safety, do not climb on structures or enter fenced areas.

 

There are restrooms near each picnic area.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Picnic Areas

There are eight picnic areas available for reservation. Four picnic areas have accessible parking and offer easier access for visitors with mobility limitations. Please note that picnic tables and grills are on natural surfaces like grass or dirt, not pavement.

• Picnic Area A
  • There is a dedicated parking lot with two accessible parking spots. A paved path connects the parking lot to the restrooms. The restrooms have wheelchair-accessible stalls. The picnic tables and grills are in the grass next to the parking area.
• Picnic Area B1
  • There are two accessible parking spaces with access aisles next to Picnic Area B1 in the shared parking area for the B picnic areas. A paved sidewalk connects the parking area to restrooms. Picnic tables and grills are in the grass beside the restrooms. The restrooms do not have wheelchair-accessible stalls.
• Picnic Areas B3
  • Picnic area B3 is right next to the parking area for the B picnic areas. There are picnic tables in the grass directly next to two accessible parking spaces with access aisles. There is no curb cut between the parking lot and the grass. Restrooms are shared with Picnic Area B4.
• Picnic Area B4
  • There is a paved path from the shared parking area to the restroom building. There are two accessible parking spaces with access aisles. Picnic tables and grills are in the grass near the restrooms.

Please contact us with specific questions about accessibility.

Reserve a picnic area.

 

Some sections of the perimeter trail have steps.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Perimeter Trail

Length: About 3 miles
Route: Wraps along the north, west, and south sides of the park
Scenery: Follows the Potomac River and passes through forests and wetlands

Trail Conditions

The Perimeter trail is not a designated accessible trail. It is unpaved and has uneven surfaces. The trail varies in width, and there are obstacles such as tree roots, wooden steps, and rocks. There are both uphill and downhill sections. After rain, expect the trail to be muddy and slippery.

 

Questions?

Please contact us for additional assistance planning your visit.

Email Us

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This phone is monitored during visitor center hours Wednesday - Sunday.

Voice: 771-208-1555