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
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. Read more about these projects here.
Need to Know
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.
Foods and beverages may be brought into the park from home for personal consumption onsite (e.g., potluck).
Foods and beverages may be 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).
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.
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.
Commercial businesses (i.e., 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 puruse a Special Use Permit, speak with Fort Hunt staff on the phone after making your reservation: 202-439-7325.
Recreation.gov rents the picnic areas for the purpose of having picnics (groups of people enjoying the outdoors and an associated meal). Additional activities (e.g. catering, wedding, races) or needs (e.g. reserving more than one area at once) may require a Special Park Use Permit or Public Gathering Permit. If you have questions, please contact the park: 202-439-7325.
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.
If you have reserved a picnic area, you or someone you designate must have the reservation (the confirmation email) on site for the entire event.
Picnic reservations are only valid from 10 am until 6 pm. They give the reservation holder exclusive use of the picnic area reserved, but does not give exclusive use of the restrooms in any area.
Reservation holders (Areas A-D) may have beer and wine from 10 am until 6 pm. 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).Smoking is not permitted within 25 feet of any structure. Grills must be at least 10 feet away from any structure. Electrical outlets in area A may only be used with a picnic permit. Moon bounces or bouncy castles are prohibited under all circumstances.
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 enough 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 as 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.
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.
Failure to comply with park rules and regulations may result in the cancellation of your reservation and/or legal action.
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
- Site A-001, Loop Group Picnic Areas, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site B-001, Loop Group Picnic Areas, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site C-002, Loop Group Picnic Areas, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site D-001, Loop Group Picnic Areas, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site C-001, Loop Group Picnic Areas, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site C-003, Loop Group Picnic Areas, Type Group Picnic Area
