Piscataway Park, a quiet stretch of nature just outside Washington, D.C. NPS photo
South of Washington, D.C., a string of forts and historic sites lines the Potomac River — among them Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm, Fort Foote and Harmony Hall. This National Park Service itinerary spends a day at two of them:
| Park | In brief |
|---|---|
| Fort Washington Park | a fort first built before the War of 1812, destroyed in that war and rebuilt, and reshaped many times until it was decommissioned at the end of World War II. Now a place for learning, fishing and picnics |
| Piscataway Park | named for the Piscataway people, who have lived in what is now Maryland since before Europeans arrived. It holds the remains of a major Piscataway village and burial ground, marshes and forest trails, and the National Colonial Farm, run by the Accokeek Foundation |
Pack like a ranger
The Park Service asks visitors to plan like a park ranger — know where you're going and bring what you need, whether you're driving or hiking.
- Water for the whole trip.
- Snacks, in case you stay out longer than planned.
- Good walking shoes for what you plan to do.
- Weather-ready clothes and a hat — check current conditions at Fort Washington and Piscataway first.
- A leash for any pet: pets must be leashed at all times, for their safety and the habitats' sake.
Morning: Fort Washington Park
The fort sits on a hill above the Potomac, built to defend Washington before the War of 1812. Start at the visitor center — open Thursday to Sunday — to learn about the fort and the day's programs.
- Take a ranger-led or self-guided tour of the fort, and find a scenic spot for a picnic.
- On some occasions, living-history volunteers fire cannons, showing the artillery that protected Washington more than 200 years ago. Tours and events are on the Fort Washington calendar.
Afternoon: Piscataway Park
Piscataway Park is about a 20-minute drive south. It was created to protect the view from George Washington's Mount Vernon, across the river, and today offers recreation, learning and room for reflection.
- Walk the Accokeek Creek boardwalk and trail through the marsh, for its quiet, its wildlife and its views of Mount Vernon.
The National Colonial Farm
Also in the park, the National Colonial Farm is managed by the Accokeek Foundation, with hiking trails as well as the farm. Begin at its visitor center.
- Friday afternoons usually bring an educator-led tour; nature hikes are sometimes offered too.
- Explore colonial-era history and meet the farm's heritage livestock.
Sources
Based on "Plan Like a Park Ranger 1-Day Itinerary: Fort Washington Park & Piscataway Park," National Park Service; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
In these publicationsPiscataway ParkFort Washington Park
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from www.nps.gov
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