Civil War Defenses of Washington

National Park · District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

NPS photo

📍 StateDistrict of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

🎟️ EntryFree

🏃 Activities16

The Civil War Defenses of Washington were a group of Union Army fortifications that protected the federal capital city, Washington, D.C., from invasion by the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

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About Civil War Defenses of Washington

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.

Park Photos

Luminaries light a cemetery with a monument and homes in the background.

Park Ranger delivering a program to visitors.

Historic image of Fort Totten on layered on modern image.

Activities

Arts and Culture Theater Biking Mountain Biking Road Biking Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Self-Guided Tours - Auto Hiking Living History First Person Interpretation Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Park Film

Operating Hours

Rock Creek Park sites

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.

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Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset	Sunrise to Sunset

National Capital Parks — East sites

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.

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6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM

George Washington Memorial Parkway site

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

mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat	sun
6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM	6:00AM - 10:00PM

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Civil War Defenses of Washington?

Civil War Defenses of Washington is free to enter.

What are the best activities at Civil War Defenses of Washington?

Popular activities at Civil War Defenses of Washington include: Arts and Culture, Theater, Biking, Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours.