Place

Visitor Gateway - 50/250 Celebration

photo of exhibit wall, Born on the 4th of July Happy Birthday Valley Forge National Historical Park — The Visitor Gateway is located in and around the Visitor Center at Valley Forge July 3, 4, and 5.
NPS Photo

Accessible Sites, Assistive Listening Systems, Audio Description, Automated Entrance, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Baby Changing Station, Benches/Seating, Bicycle - Rental, Bicycle - Repair, Braille, Bus/Shuttle Stop, Captioned Media, Cellular Signal, Elevator, First Aid Kit Available, Food/Drink - Snacks, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Internet/WiFi Available, Junior Ranger Booklet Available, Low-Vision Access, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Picnic Table, Public Transit, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Tactile Exhibit, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Bottle-Filling Station, Wheelchair Accessible

Visitor Gateway (Shuttle Stop 1)

Parking attendants will assist you in finding a parking space for your vehicle. Parking is limited. A special event shuttle provides transportation to all of the commemorative events and program venues.

Shuttle stop located in the main visitor center parking lot near the restrooms and bicycle rental. Exit the parking lot and follow the paved path up the hill to the visitor center building and Visitor Gateway programming.

Visitor Gateway programs are ongoing throughout the day from 9 am to 5 pm on Friday, July 3, Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5, 2026.

Plan your visit to Valley Forge with a park ranger.
Pick up your Valley Forge Junior Ranger activity book.
July 4 only Sign a Happy 50th Birthday Card for Valley Forge National Historical Park!
Celebrate the people's park with the My Valley Forge Story exhibit located on the first and second floors of the visitor center. Take a trip down memory lane and share your story!
Hear fascinating Revolutionary War stories told by engaging storytellers from Historic Philadelpha Inc, located at the circular bench outside the visitor center.
July 3 & 5 only Watch the park orientation film in the Theater at Valley Forge.
July 4 only Leave your own "John Hancock" on a giant reproduction of the Declaration of Independence located at the pavilion next to the Mini Grand Parade outside the visitor center.

July 4 only Courts Martial Programs - 11 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm

Join reenactors from Spencer's Additional Regiment in the Theater at Valley Forge for dramatic presentations of historical courts martial that occured during the Valley Forge Encampment.

Getting Around

Ride the Park Shuttle!

Ride the free hop-on/hop-off shuttle to five locations around the park on July 3, 4, and 5 2026.

Shuttle service begins at 9:20 am each day. The last shuttle leaves the visitor center (shuttle stop 1) at 4 pm and returns to the visitor center to complete its final circuit at 4:40 pm.

Shuttles run every 20 minutes on Friday, July 3 and Sunday, July 5.
Shuttles run every 10 minutes on Saturday, July 4.

STOP 1 - The Visitor Center at Valley Forge
Shuttle stop located in the main visitor center parking lot near the restrooms and bicycle rental. Exit the parking lot and follow the paved path to the visitor center building and Visitor Gateway programming.

STOP 2 - Muhlenberg's Brigade
Shuttle stop located in the Muhlenberg's Brigade parking lot along North Outer Line Drive. Cross North Outer Line Drive at the pedestrian crosswalk to access the log huts, living history demonstrations, and the storytelling firepit.

STOP 3 - National Memorial Arch
Shuttle stop located in the bus parking lot along South Outer Line Drive. Follow the paved path up to the arch.

STOP 4 - Washington's Headquarters
Shuttle stop located along River Road near the restroom building. Walk down the serpentine path to the Valley Forge Train Station, the Commander-in-Chief's Guard Huts, and the Isaac Potts House (closed for restoration).

STOP 5 - Maurice Stephens House
Shuttle stop located in the Maurice Stephens parking lot along Route 23.

Park shuttles are ADA accessible and provide a lift in the back for wheelchairs and motorized scooters. NOTE: The grounds at National Memorial Arch (Shuttle Stop 3) and the Maurice Stephens House (Shuttle Stop 5) have steep pathways and uneven terrain that may not be suitable for all assistive devices. Please call the Visitor Center at Valley Forge at 610-783-1000 and press 1 to speak to a ranger for more information.

Ride-Hailing Services

The pick-up/drop-off location for rideshares at the Visitor Gateway is located in the main lower parking lot of the visitor center near the restrooms.

Learn more about using ride-hailing services at Valley Forge

Bike Rentals

Bike rentals are available in the main lower visitor center parking lot next to the restrooms.

External Shuttle Pick-Up/Drop-Off

Shuttles external to Valley Forge National Historical Park, including hotel shuttles and the FIFA Watch Party shuttle on July 3 and 4, will pick up and drop off passengers on the north side of the main lower parking lot of the Visitor Center at Valley Forge.

SEPTA Bus 125

SEPTA provides bus service between Valley Forge National Historical Park and Center City Philadelphia. The 125 bus picks up and drops off directly outside the front doors of the Visitor Center at Valley Forge.

See the 125 bus schedule >

Safety & Accessibility

We want you to have a safe and fun experience celebrating Valley Forge National Historical Park's 50th birthday! Here are some important safety and accessibility considerations to plan for over the 4th of July weekend.

In Case of Emergency Dial 9-1-1

No matter the emergency, calling 9-1-1 is always the best way to get help quickly.

Hot Weather

Weather at Valley Forge in July is very hot and humid with temperatures regularly reaching 90 degrees or hotter. Most of the celebrations and special programming takes place outside.

Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and eating salty snacks.
Keep your body temperature under control by limiting your physical exertion, taking breaks in the shade, and spending time in an air conditioned building.
Rest inside the Visitor Center at Valley Forge, it's air conditioned!

Separated Parties and Missing Children

If you lose a child or become separated from the rest of your group, find a ranger!

National park rangers and other event staff will be easy to identify and they will help reunite you with your group or lost child.
Bright yellow tents at Muhlenberg's Brigade and the National Memorial Arch will serve as meetup locations and provide general event information and visitor services.

Limited Parking

Parking will be limited. Follow instructions from parking attendants when you enter the park. After you park your vehicle, head to the nearest shuttle stop to ride the free hop-on, hop-off shuttle to the program locations around the park.

Accessible Parking

All public parking lots in the park have spaces reserved for accessible parking.

Visiting With Limited Mobility

Park shuttles are ADA accessible and provide a lift in the back for wheelchairs and motorized scooters.

The Visitor Center at Valley Forge is a fully accessible building with paved walkways leading from the shuttle stop to the entrance. It is approximately 890 feet along a slightly sloped paved path to the Visitor Center entrance. Terrain is level with curb cuts and accessible ramps. Interior spaces, restrooms, and exhibits meet ADA standards. An elevator provides access to the second floor exhibits.

Last updated: June 23, 2026

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