Fort Hunt Picnic Areas

Originally part of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, the land that is Fort Hunt Park has undergone several transformations. Batteries at Fort Hunt defended the Potomac River during the Spanish American War; the Civilian Conservation Corps operated a camp there during the Great Depression; and soldiers at Fort Hunt interrogated prisoners, trained pilots in escape and evasion, and combed German documents for intelligence during World War II. Today it is a favorite spot for picnicking. Fort Hunt Park is located near the shores of the Potomac River in Virginia. Mixed hardwood forests and open fields provide a variety of habitats for birds and other wildlife. Trails built by the Civilian Conservation Corps lead into the shade and provide a respite from summer heat. Joggers, walkers, and bicyclists may use one lane of the paved loop road. There are several large fields and three softball diamonds. (From April to October these areas are associated with picnic pavilions and must be reserved.) A playground located in Area A is always open to the public. Visitors may explore the outsides of Batteries Robinson, Sater, Porter, and Mount Vernon. The batteries are closed to the public because they were lined with asbestos during World War II and used to safeguard nitrate film rolls from the National Archives. Concerts are held at Fort Hunt's Pavilion A on Sunday evenings from 7 pm to 8 pm in June, July, and August.