Welcome to Fort Hunt Park, a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. This popular park is open year-round and has several picnic areas for you, your family, or small group.

Picnic Area E is always open on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservations necessary.

From April through October, Areas A, B, C-1, C-2, C-3, and D are available by reservation. (Reservations for next summer may be made starting January 1st.) For reservations or to inquire about fees, availability, and restrictions, call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov

(Recreation.gov is administered by the National Recreation Reservation Service and provides “one-stop shopping” for group picnic area, campground, and tour reservation services for many local, state, and federal recreation sites.)

Park History:

Today, the sites and sounds of picnickers camouflage the hidden history of this site. Located along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, this area is just 11 miles south of Washington, D. C. Its proximity to the Nation's Capital dramatically affected 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 has been used as part of George Washington’s farm, a Spanish-American War coastal fortification, and the setting for top-secret WWII military intelligence operations, as well 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 the additional links below:

Fort Hunt, Virginia - A Historical Sketch - focuses on when the site was a 19th Century coastal fortification

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.

Directions:

Fort Hunt Park is located approximately 6 miles south of Old Town Alexandria in Virginia along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

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 6 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: 1-877-444-6777 or http://www.recreation.gov/.

For activities and ranger-led programs: 703-289-2500.

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 free Fort Hunt Concert Series! The concerts, free and open to the public, are generally held on Sundays during summer months from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Fort Hunt Park in Virginia. Call 703-289-2500 for more information.