Fort Hunt Picnic Areas

George Washington Memorial Parkway

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.

Fort Hunt has six picnic areas available for reservation, ranging in capacity from 100-600 people per site. Four of these areas have covered pavilions. Fort Hunt is an ideal place for group picnics. There is no camping at this site. Reservations are accepted no fewer than twenty-one days in advance of the reservation date. Explore each picnic area for its amenities and pricing. Call the park for more information: 202-439-7325.

During 2024, Fort Hunt is looking forward to two exciting upgrades to its amenities. In Area A, a new playground is being installed. In Area B, the comfort station is being rehabilitated. As of January 1st, the size and duration of these projects’ impact on reservations in Areas A and B are not known. Fort Hunt staff will share information relevant to affected reservation holders as soon as it becomes available.


Available parking in each picnic area is limited. Please plan to reserve enough space for your guests to park in marked spaces or to make other arrangements (e.g., for a shuttle to bring guests to the park). Parking on the grass is not allowed. Reservation of more than one area requires a Public Gathering Permit. See "Need to Know" section for more information.

As of 2019, moon bounces and similar setups 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.)

Amplified sound is only permited at Area A. Electricity is only available in Area A.

Use of a caterer requires a Special Use Permit. Alcohol (beer and wine only) is permited in Areas A though D with a reservation. Grills are allowed, but visitors must provide their own barbecue grills. Use of barbecue grills requires a Size II Dry Chemical and ABC Rated fire extinguisher be brought by its user. Properly dispose ash and coal in the ash cans provided throughout the park. See the Need to Know section under Food and Beverages for more information.    

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.  

Reservations are valid only from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Access and use of reserved amenities outside of these hours is not guaranteed. If you have questions about early check in or late check out, speak with a park ranger after making your reservation: 202-439-7325.

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. Late check out will not be available. Here is a list of concert dates for 2024: 

June 2

June 9

June 16

June 23

June 30

July 7

July 14

July 21 

July 28

August 4 

August 11 

August 18

August 25

If you reserved Area C-1, C-2 or C-3 on any of the following dates, your picnic area must be clean and vacant by 6:00 pm in time for the park's free night sky events. Late check out will not be available. Here is a list of night sky events for 2024:

April 20
August 10
September 7

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. 

Notifications and Alerts

Need to Know

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.

Recreation

Fort Hunt Park has many opportunities for recreation. There are several large fields, 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.

Changes & 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. 

Contact Information

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8999 Fort Hunt Road Alexandria VA 22308

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 202-439-7325, OR 703-235-1530

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Interstate 395, take exit 10B for George Washington Memorial Parkway. Merge onto the parkway and continue for about 12 miles. Turn right onto Fort Hunt Road and continue to the park.

Available Campsites

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