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Visiting Valley Forge During COVID-19

As the NPS monitors and responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health to use the latest science to guide our decision making. To protect the health of those who live, work, and visit America’s national parks, face masks are required in all NPS buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, including narrow or busy trails, overlooks, and historic homes.

Current access to Valley Forge National Historical Park is as follows:

What's Open:

• Roads, trails, grounds, and parking lots.

• Public restrooms at parking lots. Open restroom facilities include: Visitor Center parking lot, Wayne's Woods Picnic Area parking lot, Artillery Park parking lot, Washington's Headquarters parking lot, Varnum's Picnic Area parking lot, Wilson Road parking lot, and Betzwood parking lot. Please be aware that these restrooms may be closed periodically for cleaning.

• Varnum's Picnic Area.
• Wayne's Woods Picnic Area.

• Services are limited and the return to normal, full operations will take place using a phased approach. Open areas are accessible during normal park hours, from 7AM to 30 minutes past sunset every day.

What's Closed:

• Public buildings. Closed buildings include Washington’s Headquarters, the Train Station, and Varnum's Quarters.
• Public programming. Suspended programs include in-person educational and interpretive talks, tours, demonstrations, etc.

Visit the Virtual Visitor Center to learn more about what to see and do at Valley Forge.

Tips for Visiting and Protecting the Park

Visitors are required to wear face masks in federal buildings including visitor centers, historic structures, and museums. When outdoors, face masks are required on NPS-managed lands when physical distance cannot be maintained.

• Recreate Responsibly. Follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, and avoid crowding and high-risk outdoor activities.
• Park in Designated Locations. Vehicles parked illegally will be ticketed, and vehicles that block emergency vehicle access (such as on roads or in front of gates) will be towed.
• Plan to Pack Out Your Trash. In-park trash and recycling receptacles are limited.
• Practice Social Distancing. Wear a mask, avoid large groups, and stay 6 feet away from others. Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Use the Restroom Before You Arrive. Open restroom facilities are limited.

Formal Program Postponement

Following guidance from the CDC and recommendations from state and local public health authorities in consultation with NPS Public Health Service Officers, park-sponsored in-person programs and events are postponed until further notice.

• Landscapes and Structures Photography Program
• March Out of the Continental Army
• Spring Home School Day
• Junior Ranger Day
• Join the Continental Army
• The Bake Oven

 

Map of temporary road closure

Roads and Trails

Weekend Closure of North Outer Line Drive

On Saturdays and Sundays, North Outer Line Drive may be temporarily closed to motor vehicles during periods of heavy recreational use. Please use an alternative driving route.

Chapel Trail Closure

A short portion of the Chapel Trail, beginning 1/2 mile east of the Washington Memorial Chapel to the intersection with the Sullivan's Bridge Trail, will be closed through Summer 2020 due to the U.S. 422 Schuylkill River Bridge construction project and additional construction along Cinder Lane.

As an alternative, visitors can use the Joseph Plumb Martin trail that parallels the approximate route of the Chapel Trail - on the south side of Valley Forge Park Road / PA Route 23. You can find almost 30 miles of additional trail options on our trail map, available at https://www.nps.gov/vafo/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Mt. Joy Social Trails

An unauthorized social trail on Mt. Joy will be permanently closed and remediated in 2020. A map of the trail closure, along with authorized neighboring trails on Mt. Joy, is available here.

The trail is being removed because it crosses over some of the original earthworks built by the Continental Army in 1777-78. Repeated walking, erosion, and wear is damaging these historic earthworks. Additionally, the trail cuts through a forest restoration area, allowing for invasive species to spread and eliminating any natural regeneration that was occurring. This repeated trampling destroys vegetation and compacts any remaining soil leaving the area bare. The current trail is too steep and serious soil erosion is occurring, washing soil and nutrients onto park roads and trails.

Please help us protect the natural and cultural resources in your park and stay on the 35 miles of official park trails. The official trails are designed to provide access to the different habitats and cultural sites in the park, to connect to other trails and allow users to make loops, to be of varying difficulty, and to be sustainable and manageable by the park.