Fort Hunt Picnic Areas

Fort Hunt Park is located only two miles from Mount Vernon, the historical home of George Washington, and is a local favorite for picnicking and recreation. This picnic area has transformed tremendously over time, from George Washington's farmland to a Spanish-American War fort to a top secret intelligence camp during World War II. The rich history of this area is still being discovered and shared with the public. The park provides six picnic rental areas, ranging in capacity from 100 to 600 people per site: Area A, Area B, Areas C1, C2 and C3, and Area D. Picnic pavilions are in Areas A, B, C-2 and D, while C-1 and C-3 are open areas with picnic tables only. Only Picnic Area A has electricity and allows amplified sound. There is no camping at this site. Grills are allowed, but visitors must provide their own; use of a barbecue grill requires a Size II Dry Chemical, ABC-rated fire extinguisher brought by its user, and ash and coal should be disposed of in the ash cans provided throughout the park. Alcohol (beer and wine only) is permitted in Areas A through D with a reservation. Moon bounces and similar setups are not allowed. Reserved use runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and access outside those hours is not guaranteed. Available parking in each picnic area is limited, and parking on the grass is not allowed, so plan to reserve enough space for your guests to park in marked spaces or make other arrangements. Picnic Area E is always open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis for small groups of family and friends, with picnic tables spread out in a large area; no alcoholic beverages are allowed in Area E. Fort Hunt Park has many opportunities for recreation. There are several large fields, making it an ideal place for large picnics and family gatherings. The historic batteries are always open to the public. The inner lane of the Loop Road is closed to cars past Area A and can be used as a multi-use trail, and the stretch of the Mount Vernon Trail from Turkey Run Park south to Riverside Park is a great place to see birds along the river, including several birds of prey that live in the area. On Sundays in June, July and August the park presents the Fort Hunt Concert Series; Pavilion A must be clean and vacant by 6:00 pm on those days in time for the free concert. Fort Hunt is located just minutes from the nation's capital in the lush environment of Northern Virginia. The area is abundant with trees, plants and wildlife, with mild, crisp winters that include the occasional dusting of snow, and hot, humid summers where the wildflowers and greenery paint the backdrop. Trails behind the remains of the Spanish-American War era gun batteries were built in the Civilian Conservation Corps era and provide peaceful walks in the woods with views of the Potomac River. The museums, memorials and monuments of Washington, D.C., are a short drive from the picnic area.