Overview

Fort Hunt Park provides six picnic rental areas: Area A, Area B, Areas C1, C2, C3, and Area D. Picnic pavilions 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 required for grilling.  

If you have a large group and wish to cater food and beverage, please contact gwmp_sup@nps.gov to obtain a special use permit. If you plan to bring in and prepare your own food and beverage, no catering request is necessary. See the Need to Know section under Food and Beverage for more information.

Some types of activities (e.g. organized runs or races, weddings, etc.) may also require a special use permit. Please contact gwmp_sup@nps.gov for more information.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

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 beyond bringing in food and beverage (i.e. wedding event, a public gathering, setting up tents or equipment, use of a generator, etc.) you may need a Special Use Permit. Amplified sound is only permitted 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 permitted 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.

NOTICE regarding the Fort Hunt Concert Series. If you reserve Pavilion A on Sundays in June, July or August, the pavilion must be clean and vacant by 6:00 pm in time for the free Fort Hunt Concert Series. Late check is not be available. Visit the park's Fort Hunt Concert Series web page for dates and details.

NOTICE regarding Night Sky Programs. If you reserve 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 2025:

March 14

May 31

June 20

August 16 

December 13

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 walk around the park in the grassy fields and under tall trees.

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.

Sundays in June, July and August, the park presents the Fort Hunt Concert Series.

Nearby Attractions

Important Notices

• Failure to comply with park rules and regulations may result in the cancellation of your reservation and/or legal action. Visit the Fort Hunt-Picnic Areas Reservations page for details and FAQ's.

• A park ranger will contact you using the phone number and/or email address you provided on recreation.gov to discuss your reservation and park rules. You may also call the park 202-439-7325. If you do not respond to the park's efforts to contact you, your reservation may be cancelled. 

• You or someone you designate must have the reservation confirmation email with you on site (printed on paper or downloaded to a mobile device) for the entire event.

• Food & Beverage.

  Foods and beverages may be brought into the park from home for personal consumption onsite (e.g., potluck) or purchased from commercial businesses outside of the park and brought into the park in a personal vehicle for personal consumption onsite (e.g., takeout meals). 

  Commercial businesses such as caterers must not enter the park to deliver, set up, cook, or serve food and/or beverages inside the park without a Special Use Permit and the park superintendent’s authorization placard. To pursue a Special Use Permit, speak with Fort Hunt staff on the phone after making your reservation: 202-439-7325.

  • Beer and wine, but no hard liquor, may be brought into the park by personal vehicle for personal consumption onsite through the Fort Hunt Park picnic permit system. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to comply with all state (DC, MD, and VA) alcohol license requirements.  Reservation holders (Areas A-D) may have beer and wine from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Hard alcohol is not permitted. Hired caterers that provide or serve alcohol must have an ABC banquet license from the state of Virginia. Money may not be exchanged at Fort Hunt Park under any circumstance (for example, no selling food or tickets, raffles, alcohol, or any items).

  • Grills may be brought into the park for personal use, but require the following: minimum of one Size II Dry Chemical and ABC Rated fire extinguisher is required. Grills must be at least 10 feet away from any structure.

• Picnic reservations are only valid from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The reservation provides exclusive use of the picnic area but does not give exclusive use of the restrooms in any area.

• All picnic areas have a maximum capacity. Your group's size may not exceed the maximum capacity of each picnic area, which are as follows:

  • Area A- 600 people / 150 vehicles

  • Area B- 350 people/ 140 vehicles

  • Area C1-100 people/ 40 vehicles

  • Area C2-120 people/ 40 vehicles

  • Area C3-100 people/ 40 vehicles

  • Area D-120 people/ 30 vehicles.

  Please plan to reserve the area that offers adequate parking for the number of vehicles you expect to come to your event or to make other transportation arrangements (e.g., for a shuttle to bring guests to the park). Reservation of more than one picnic area requires a Public Gathering Permit. If you have questions, please contact the park: 202-439-7325.

• Amplified sound is only allowed in Area A. If park staff feels the music or sound is too loud, a park ranger will ask you to reduce the volume. The Code of Federal Regulations states no audio disturbance can exceed 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet from the source.

• You may only drive on the paved loop road, in parking lots, and in designated loading zones. Vehicles may not occupy loading zones for longer than 10 minutes. You may only park in marked parking spaces. Parking off hard surfaces (i.e. grass or dirt surfaces) is prohibited, and vehicles will be towed.

• If you have reserved a picnic area, you may only decorate the picnic tables and pavilion in the site you have reserved. You may only tie or tape decorations to the tables and pavilion. You may not attach decorations in a way that will cause permanent damage, such as with nails or staples. Please note that you may not attach decorations to vegetation, or put signs or decorations outside of the area you reserved, such as along the road. No glitter or confetti of any kind is permitted. All picnic decorations must be removed when your reservation expires. Moon bounces or bouncy castles are prohibited under all circumstances.

• You may not use anything that penetrates the ground, such as wire sign holders, volleyball poles, or tent stakes. You may only use park water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Recreational water use is prohibited.

• You may not bring firewood, live plants, or live animals (other than pets) into Fort Hunt Park. You must leave the area you use in the same condition that it was when you arrived. If your use of the park causes damage (beyond what is reasonably inherent in its use) you can be held financially liable for that damage. If park staff must clean up an area that you reserved after you leave, you can be held financially liable for associated costs.

• Smoking is not permitted within 25 feet of any structure. Electrical outlets in area A may only be used with a picnic permit.

Available Activities

• Historic & Cultural Site - Historic & Cultural Site
• Guided Interpretive Walks - Guided Interpretive Walks
• Hiking - Hiking
• Picnicking - Picnicking
• Day Use Area - Day Use Area
• Birding - Birding

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.

Cancellation Policy

<p>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 the Recreation.gov <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies" rel="nofollow">Rules & Reservation Policies</a> page. </p>

Contact Information

Phone: 202-439-7325, OR 703-235-1530

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip