Civil War Defenses of Washington
On forested hills surrounding the nation's capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications.
Photo: NPS Photo / Buddy Secor / NPS
DC · MD · VA
states
16
things to do
6
parks within a day
OVERVIEW
About Civil War Defenses of Washington
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. Today, you can visit 18 of the original sites now managed by the National Park Service.
WITHIN A DAY'S DRIVE
Pair it with another park
6 in range
DCCivil War Defenses of Washington◆◆this park
Park · District of Columbia
Rock Creek Park
0h 11m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
2 mi
Round trip
0h 23m
Verdict
Easy day trip
DCCivil War Defenses of Washington◆◆this park
District of Columbia
African American Civil War Memorial
0h 12m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
4 mi
Round trip
0h 23m
Verdict
Easy day trip
DCCivil War Defenses of Washington◆◆this park
National Historic Site · District of Columbia
Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
0h 13m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
4 mi
Round trip
0h 26m
Verdict
Easy day trip
DCCivil War Defenses of Washington◆◆this park
National Historic Site · District of Columbia
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site
0h 14m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
4 mi
Round trip
0h 28m
Verdict
Easy day trip
DCCivil War Defenses of Washington◆◆this park
National Historic Site · District of Columbia
Ford's Theatre National Historic Site
0h 16m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
5 mi
Round trip
0h 32m
Verdict
Easy day trip
DCCivil War Defenses of Washington◆◆this park
District of Columbia
Pennsylvania Avenue
0h 16m
one-way
drive time
drive time
Distance
5 mi
Round trip
0h 32m
Verdict
Easy day trip
Driving times from Civil War Defenses of Washington, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
WHEN TO GO
Hours
Rock Creek Park sites
- Mon
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Tue
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Wed
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Thu
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Fri
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Sat
- Sunrise to Sunset
- Sun
- Sunrise to Sunset
National Capital Parks — East sites
- Mon
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Tue
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Wed
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Thu
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Fri
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Sat
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Sun
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
George Washington Memorial Parkway site
- Mon
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Tue
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Wed
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Thu
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Fri
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Sat
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
- Sun
- 6:00AM - 10:00PM
THINGS TO DO
Activities
Arts and CultureBikingFirst Person InterpretationFoodGuided ToursHikingJunior Ranger ProgramLiving HistoryMountain BikingPark FilmPicnickingRoad BikingSelf-Guided Tours - AutoSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingTheaterWildlife Watching
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Getting there
Check the weather forecast for each individual site for accurate information.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at Civil War Defenses of Washington?
- Popular activities include Arts and Culture, Biking, First Person Interpretation, Food, Guided Tours, Hiking.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of Civil War Defenses of Washington?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Rock Creek Park (11 min), African American Civil War Memorial (12 min), Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site (13 min), Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site (14 min), Ford's Theatre National Historic Site (16 min), Pennsylvania Avenue (16 min).