National Park Service site

Civil War Defenses of Washington

Civil War Defenses of Washington is a National Park Service site in District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia. The NPS currently lists 1 active alert (1 closure), 0 campgrounds and 0 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.

District of Columbia Maryland Virginia No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

A woman in a 19th-century dress stands along an earthwork fortification — Where Abraham Lincoln Stood · Photo: NPS Photo / Buddy Secor (via nps.gov)

About the park

“On forested hills surrounding the nation's capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. These strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the world's most fortified cities. By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled Washington, DC.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/cwdw

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

1 active NPS alert as of Oct 28, 2026: 1 closure, 0 danger, 0 caution and 0 information.

Closure

Part of Fort Totten Park remains closed for public safety

Out of an abundance of caution, Fort Totten Park will remain closed east of Fort Totten Drive, south of Gallatin Street/Metropolitan Branch Trail and north of Brookland Ave NE/Farragut St. due to the investigation involving two WWI-era munitions found.

Posted or updated Nov 8, 2024 ·Details on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

Two National Park Service interns show their passport stamp collection at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens — Photo: NPS / Gabby Napolitano

Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps

Start your stamp collection and celebrate every park you visit! Explore historic sites and scenic parks managed by National Capital Parks - East and collect a unique stamp at each one.

5-10 Minutes Year-round

Hands-On

A photograph taken in a deciduous forest in early winter, as many trees are bare. — Photo: NPS/Conall Rubin-Thomas

Explore the Civil War Defenses of Washington Hiker-Biker Trail

Hike or bike the 7-mile trail from Fort Stanton to Fort Mahan and take in scenery that ranges from urban greenspaces to forest ecosystems, all while recreating through a historic landscape.

1-5 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Hiking

A brown and white sign with a trail in the background. — Photo: NPS/ K. Cain

Hike the Northern Loop in Rock Creek Park

Enjoy an easy 5-mile round trip hike around the northern section of Rock Creek Park.

120 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Hiking

See all 5 things to do in Civil War Defenses of Washington →

Activities the NPS lists for Civil War Defenses of Washington.

Arts and CultureTheaterBikingMountain BikingRoad BikingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingSelf-Guided Tours - AutoHikingLiving HistoryFirst Person InterpretationJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingPark Film

Operating hours

The park grounds at Battery Kemble, Battleground National Cemetery, Fort Bayard, Fort Bunker Hill, Fort DeRussy, Fort Reno, Fort Slocum, Fort Stevens, and Fort Totten are managed by Rock Creek Park…

Rock Creek Park sites
Day	Hours
Monday	Sunrise to Sunset
Tuesday	Sunrise to Sunset
Wednesday	Sunrise to Sunset
Thursday	Sunrise to Sunset
Friday	Sunrise to Sunset
Saturday	Sunrise to Sunset
Sunday	Sunrise to Sunset

Weather: Check the weather forecast for each individual site for accurate information.

Contact and directions

Phone: 202-895-6000
Email: [email protected]
Address: Civil War Defenses of Washington, Washington, DC 20012
Coordinates: 38.9644, -77.0292· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

No visitor centers are listed for this site in the NPS data.

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in District of Columbia

African American Civil War Memorial Anacostia Park Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument Capitol Hill Parks Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Chesapeake Bay Constitution Gardens Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Ford's Theatre National Historic Site All in District of Columbia

Nearest other NPS sites

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/cwdw/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.