Parks / George Washington Memorial Parkway
George Washington Memorial Parkway
Memorial Parkway · DC,MD,VA
The George Washington Memorial Parkway was designed for recreational driving. It links sites that commemorate important episodes in American history and preserve habitat for local wildlife. The parkway and its associated trails provide a scenic place to play and rest in the busy Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (5)
Closures at Little Hunting Creek Bridge Aug. 14 - 17 and Aug. 21 - 24
Three of the four lanes on the GWMP at Little Hunting Creek Bridge will close from 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, to 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, and from 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, to 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24. Only one lane will remain open during these periods. Flaggers will alternate northbound and southbound traffic through the open lane. Drivers should expect major delays during the Friday morning and evening commutes and the Monday morning commute. Allow extra time or use another route.
Northbound GWMP Lane Closures Begin Aug. 10 Between Spout Run and Route 123
Northbound lanes between Spout Run Parkway and Route 123 will close Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Aug. 10 – Sept. 1 for tree maintenance.
Detour along Mount Vernon Trail at Gravelly Point
Due to constriction for the Long Bridge Project, the Mount Vernon Trail will be temporarily detoured around the construction zone beginning on July 15, 2026. Trail users should expect periodic crossings of equipment and materials where the trail meets the construction access road. Detour will be in place through 2030.
Temporary Closure of Right Lane of Clara Barton Parkway
Temporary Closure of the Clara Barton Parkway Right Lane at Site 17, wooded areas between C&O Canal and Lock 10 parking lot, north to Lock 14, required to address ongoing safety concerns from DC Water emergency sanitary sewer overflow & bypass and pipe repair operations. Click on "More" below for specific details on the closure.
Intermittent Lane Closures at GW Parkway for Bridge/Pavement Preservation
Beginning on Monday, November 17, 2025, expect intermittent traffic impacts at GWMP. This Bridge and pavement preservation work is expected to extend into the Fall of 2026 and will make repairs to 24 GWMP bridges and over 30 paved roads and parking assets. To minimize traffic impacts, weekday lane closures on George Washington Memorial Parkway, Clara Barton Parkway, and Spout Run Parkway will NOT be allowed inbound to DC from 5:30am to 9:30am and outbound from DC from 2:30pm to 7:30pm Monday through Friday.
Entrance Fees
This park is fee-free.
Upcoming Events
Commemorative Hikes for Great Falls Park's 60th Anniversary
Aug 31, 2026
Empire of the Sun (Free Outdoor Movie at Fort Hunt Park)
Sep 4, 2026 · Fort Hunt Park (Pavilion A)
Fort Hunt Film Festival
Sep 4, 2026 · Fort Hunt Park- Area A
Netherlands Carillon Concerts
Sep 5, 2026 · Parking is extremely limited at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, which is the closest parking lot to this event. Please consider public transportation, carpooling, or rideshare option to visit this event.
The Hot Lanes Live at Fort Hunt Park 2026 (Makeup Date)
Sep 6, 2026 · Fort Hunt Park (Pavilion A)
Das Boot (Free Outdoor Movie at Fort Hunt Park)
Sep 11, 2026 · Fort Hunt Park (Pavilion A)
Raptor Rapture 2026 & Zebra Crossing Live at Fort Hunt
Sep 12, 2026 · Fort Hunt Park (Pavilion A)
Clara Barton and Forgotten Patriots
Sep 13, 2026
The Great Escape (Free Outdoor Movie at Fort Hunt Park)
Sep 18, 2026 · Fort Hunt Park - Pavilion A
Netherlands Carillon Concerts
Sep 19, 2026 · Parking is extremely limited at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, which is the closest parking lot to this event. Please consider public transportation, carpooling, or rideshare option to visit this event.
Dr Strangelove (Free Outdoor Movie at Fort Hunt Park)
Sep 25, 2026 · Fort Hunt Park (Pavilion A)
Things to Do
Cast Your Gaze Across the City Skyline from the Netherlands Carillon
Visitors can view the Washington, DC city skyline from the base of the Netherlands Carillon along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Drive on the George Washington Memorial Parkway
Take a drive on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Make stops at scenic overlooks, drive over historic Arlington Memorial Bridge, and visit our first president's home at Mount Vernon.
Hike between Scott's Run Nature Preserve and Theodore Roosevelt Island
The ten-mile Potomac Heritage Trail within George Washington Memorial Parkway is a popular path, connecting at some places to neighborhood trails, Turkey Run picnic area and Chain Bridge. Here, though, we suggest a longer hike connecting with another PHT segment in Scott's Run Nature Preserve, managed by the Fairfax County Park Authority. A combination natural surface path and road walk along Live Oak Lane connects the two.
Panoramic Views at the US Marine Corps War Memorial
From Arlington Ridge, experience a panoramic view of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, the US Marine Corps War Memorial, and Capitol Building behind the US Marine Corps War Memorial against the Washington, DC skyline.
Retreat to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove
From this distance the seat of national power appears pristine across the river, so President Johnson came here often when he needed to escape from the stresses of building a Great Society. After he died, his wife chose this place for his memorial. A landscape of serpentine paths, white pines, a granite monolith, and an open meadow honors his legacy of social justice and conservation legislation.
Silver Line - DC Metro
Step off the Silver Line to take a walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, or sight see from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
Take a walk or bike ride on the Mount Vernon Trail
The Mount Vernon Trail winds alongside the Potomac River offering uninterrupted views of Washington, D.C.'s skyline. A run, walk, or cycle along the trail leads to all of the same sites that can be reached by car on the parallel section of the parkway.
Webcams
Source: National Park Service.