George Washington Memorial Parkway
National Parkway · VA, MD, DC
Park Closure · Aid Box Rock Climbing Area Closed
The Aid Box rock climbing area is temporarily closed due to a recent rock topple.
More informationPark Closure · Northbound GWMP Lane Closures Between Spout Run and Route 123 Resumes
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 Oct. 5 - 15 for tree maintenance. Southbound lane closures will begin on Oct. 19 and last until Nov. 26.
More informationPark Closure · Public restrooms closed - portable toilets only; no drinking water
As of 9/29/26, until further notice, the public restrooms and drinking water systems are closed until further notice. Portable toilets are located in the Main Parking Lot and at the junction of Old Carriage Road Trail and Matildaville Trail.
Park Closure · Southbound GWMP Lane Closures Oct. 5-8 Between Tulane Dr and Alexandria Ave
Closures of southbound lanes between Tulane Drive and Alexandria Avenue will detour traffic onto Fort Hunt Road from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays from October 5 to 8 for maintenance activities.
More informationPark Closure · Temporary Closure of the Clara Barton Parkway 3500 ft of right travel lane
Temporary Closure of the Clara Barton Parkway 3500 feet of right travel lane at Site 17, managed land areas between Clara Barton Parkway and C&O Canal, and between Lock 10 parking lot north to Lock 14 required to address the ongoing safety concerns from DC Water emergency sanitary sewer bypass and pipe repair. Click on "More" below for specific details on the closure.
More information3 noticesfrom the National Park Service
Information · 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.
More informationInformation · 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.
Information · Temporary Closures of Park Entrance Possible if Parking Lots Become Full
If parking lots become full, there will be a temporary closure of the park entrance at Georgetown Pike & Old Dominion Drive. The park entrance will re-open as soon as space becomes available. For updated information about parking, call Visitor Center at 703-757-3101
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.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/gwmp
- Location
- George Washington Memorial Parkway (38.963, -77.150)
Track your visit to George Washington Memorial Parkway
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Great Falls Park Visitor Center
- North Arcade / Glen Echo Park Visitor Center
Hours
George Washington Memorial Parkway Headquartersclosed today
- Sat Oct 3Closed
- Sun Oct 4Closed
- Mon Oct 58:15AM - 4:15PM
- Tue Oct 68:15AM - 4:15PM
- Wed Oct 78:15AM - 4:15PM
- Thu Oct 88:15AM - 4:15PM
- Fri Oct 98:15AM - 4:15PM
Upcoming closures: Oct 12 (Columbus Day) · Nov 11 (Veterans Day)
Parkway headquarters is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 am to 4:15 pm. It is closed on weekends and holidays.
The George Washington Memorial Parkwaytoday: All Day
- Sat Oct 3
Visitor centers
1
- Great Falls Park Visitor Centertoday: 10:00AM - 5:00PMDirections
Self-guided tours
2
Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Plaque Tour30–120 minutes · 8 stops
Visitors along the parkway and the Mount Vernon Trail can find at least seven different plaques and markers. They often were marking tree plantings, some of which no longer exist, or have been moved to make them more accessible to visitors. Some of them can be difficult to find, but they remain as permanent memorials to the memory of namesake of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. These are the extant plaques along the southern end of the Parkway, starting from the south and moving north.
Walking Tour20–60 minutes · 15 stops
Take a 0.7-mile stroll through historic Glen Echo Park and discover artists and artisans working away in buildings that used to house amusement park and Chautauqua experiences.
Entrance fees
No entrance fee.
Sites within this unit
Great Falls Parkgrfa
At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. The Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country. Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation's Capital.
Location: 38.988, -77.251
nps.gov/grfaGlen Echo Parkglec
