Fort Hunt

Summary

Fort Hunt Park is located near Mount Vernon, George Washington's historical home. It offers a variety of facilities for recreational activities such as picnic areas, playgrounds, softball fields, and trails for birdwatching. Grills are available for use and alcohol is permitted at certain areas. Special Use Permits may be necessary for activities like weddings, and catered food may be provided through the park's concessionaire. The park has a rich history from its time as George Washington's farmland to a WWII intelligence camp.

Overview

Fort Hunt Park provides six picnic rental areas - Area A, Area B, Areas C1, C2, C3, and Area D. Picnic pavilions, or covered picnic shelters are in Area A, B, C-2 and D. Areas C-1 and C-3 are open areas with picnic tables only. Only Picnic Area A has electricity and amplified sound allowed. If you plan to grill, you must bring in your own grill. A fire extinguisher is needed. Most people bring in their own food.  

If you have a large group and wish to cater food and beverage, you may contact the park's concessionaire - please see the Need to Know section under Food and Beverage. Catering service includes paying a vendor to serve visitors food or drink during a reservation or paying a vendor to deliver and set up food at the park for an event. If catering services are conducted through the park’s concession operator, RGI Events, and they will need advance notice( a minimum of 30 days). Please call us first at (202) 439-7325 so that we can assist you with questions as to what is or what is not catering services.   

If you plan to bring in and prepare your own food and beverage that is fine, and a catering request is not necessary. Reservation holders are allowed to bring their own food and grills to the park, including food purchased and picked up from vendors outside of Fort Hunt and transported into the park by attendees of their events (i.e take out). If you plan to do one of these things to provide food for your event, you need not contact RGI. If you have questions about what is or what is not part of catering , please call us at 202-439-7325 so that we can assist you.   

Other types of activities (weddings, other outside vendors, etc) may need an additional Special Use Permit that you can easily apply for through our park. 

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.

Recreation

Fort Hunt Park has many opportunities for recreation. There are several large fields and three softball diamonds, making it an ideal place for large picnics and family gatherings.
All picnic rentals have different pricing for weekends versus weekday rentals.

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.

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. There are several birds of prey that live in the area, including George and Martha, the resident bald eagles near Mount Vernon.

Facilities

Fort Hunt has six picnic areas available, ranging in capacity from 100-600 people per site. There is no camping at this site. Also available are restrooms, picnic tables, playgrounds, softball fields and plenty of wide open spaces. Fort Hunt is an ideal place for group picnics. 

Alcohol (beer and wine only) is permited in Areas A though D. Explore each picnic area for its amenities and pricing.   

Amplified sound and electricity is only permited at Area A.    

As of 2019, moon bounces, or similar stups are are not allowed. See the Need to Know section for more information. If you plan on having an activity more than just bringing in food and beverage, you may need a special use permit (i.e. wedding event, a public gathering, setting up tents or equipment, use of a generator, etc.)  

If you plan to have catered food, you may contact the park concessionaire (RGI) - See the Need to Know section under food and Beverages.  

Picnic Area E is always open to the public on a first-come first-serve basis for small groups of family and friends. It has picnic tables spread out in a large area. no alcoholic beverages are allowed in Area E. Parking is limited.  

If you reserve Pavilion A on a Sunday in June, July or August, the pavilion must be clean and vacant by 6:00 pm in time for the park's free summer concert series.

Users must provide their own barbecue grills. Use of barbecue grills requires a Size II Dry Chemical and ABC Rated be fire extinguisher be brought by the permit holder. Properly dispose ash and coal in the ash cans provided throughout the park.

Recycling containers are provided, and the National Park Service highly encourages recycling. But, please do not put any food item in recycling containers, for it will contaminate the recycleables and require them to be thrown out as trash.

Natural Features

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 build by the Civilian Conservation Corps era, and provide peaceful walks in the woods with views of the Potomac River. One can enjoy a wallk around the park in the grassy fields and under tall trees.

Nearby Attractions

Fort Hunt is located just minutes from Mount Vernon, the historic site and former plantation of George Washington. The museums, memorials and monuments of Washington, D.C., are also located a short drive from the picnic area.

Charges & Cancellations

A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. Cancellations within 14 days of the reservation date will forfeit the entire reservation fee for the shelter facility. There is no inclement weather policy, this is an open outdoor facility. For further information on reservation and cancellation policies please visit https://recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies.