Park

Civil War Defenses of Washington

Civil War Defenses of Washington, 6625 Georgia Ave NW

Directions

Type

Park

Lens

Landmarks

About this place

On forested hills surrounding the nation's capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. These strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the world's most fortified cities. By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled Washington, DC. Today, you can visit 18 of the original sites now managed by the National Park Service.

Website

Official Website Visitor Info

National Park Service information

Hours

Rock Creek Park sites

Monday: Sunrise to Sunset
Tuesday: Sunrise to Sunset
Wednesday: Sunrise to Sunset
Thursday: Sunrise to Sunset
Friday: Sunrise to Sunset
Saturday: Sunrise to Sunset
Sunday: Sunrise to Sunset

The park grounds at Battery Kemble, Battleground National Cemetery, Fort Bayard, Fort Bunker Hill, Fort DeRussy, Fort Reno, Fort Slocum, Fort Stevens, and Fort Totten are managed by Rock Creek Park These sites are open daily from dawn to dusk.

National Capital Parks — East sites

Monday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Tuesday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Wednesday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Thursday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Friday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Saturday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Sunday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM

The park grounds at Fort Carroll, Fort Chaplin, Fort Davis, Fort Dupont, Fort Foote, Fort Greble, Fort Mahan, Fort Ricketts, and Fort Stanton are managed by National Capital Parks — East. These sites are open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

George Washington Memorial Parkway site

Monday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Tuesday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Wednesday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Thursday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Friday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Saturday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM
Sunday: 6:00AM - 10:00PM

The park grounds at Fort Marcy are managed by George Washington Memorial Parkway. This site is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.

Directions

Directions vary based on your preference of site.

Official directions

Weather & Seasonal Notes

Check the weather forecast for each individual site for accurate information.

Activities

Arts and CultureTheaterBikingMountain BikingRoad BikingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingLiving HistoryFirst Person InterpretationJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingPark Film

Courtesy of the National Park Service

Nearby (within 25 miles)

Rock Creek Park

1.4 mi away

Ben's Chili Bowl

3.3 mi away

Ben's Chili Bowl

3.3 mi away

African American Civil War Memorial

3.3 mi away

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site

3.7 mi away

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site

3.9 mi away

Capital One Arena

4.6 mi away

Ford's Theatre National Historic Site

4.7 mi away

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About this place

Website

National Park Service information

Hours

Directions

Weather & Seasonal Notes

Activities

Nearby (within 25 miles)

More to Explore in Washington

Related Collections

Related Experiences