George Washington Memorial Parkway
Protected park · DC, USA
George Washington Memorial Parkway in DC, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Usual hours
- Mon–Fri 8:15–16:15
- Sat–Sun closed
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.
This park's official page lists: Visitor center.
At the park
- Wildlife & bird watching
Events
- Commemorative Hikes for Great Falls Park's 60th Anniversary
- Fort Hunt Film Festival
- The Great Escape (Free Outdoor Movie at Fort Hunt Park)
- Netherlands Carillon Concerts
- Dr Strangelove (Free Outdoor Movie at Fort Hunt Park)
- Bird Walk at Great Falls Park
- Saturn at Opposition Viewing Party
- Theodore Roosevelt and Conservation
- Girl Scout First Aid Program at Clara Barton National Historic Site
- Girl Scout First Aid Program at Clara Barton National Historic Site-FULL-This event is FULL and registration has closed
- Halloween Carillon Concert
- Thank a Veteran
Places to eat
- Domino's
- Glen Echo Pizza & Subs
- Kanpai Sushi
- Old Irish Inn
- Praline Café
Before you go
- Limits
- Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go
- Park alert: 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.
- ⚠ Park closure: Single Lane Closures on South Parkway Near River Farm Drive
- Beginning October 8, one lane both northbound and southbound will be closed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for 4 weeks to repair an upheaval in the road. Please expect slight traffic delays in the area.
- ⚠ Park closure: Temporary Closure of Clara Barton Parkway 10/24/26 for BellRinger Event
- Temporary Closure of Clara Barton Parkway on October 24, 2026 for the 2026 BellRinger Cycling Event. The closure is temporary and limited to the period necessary to safely accommodate BellRinger participants on Clara Barton Parkway. The closure will begin at 6:00 AM for authorized traffic-control staging and is anticipated to end at approximately 11:00 AM. Click on "More" below for specific details on the closure.
- ⚠ Park 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.
- Park alert: 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.
- ⚠ Park 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.
- Getting there
- Directions to Parkway Headquarters From the south, take the George Washington Memorial Parkway north. Just past the CIA exit turn right into the parking lot for the US Park Police and parkway headquarters. Go through the chain link fence and take an immediate right. Follow the road down to a stop sign and turn right into the parking lot for the headquarters building.
- Weather & when to go
- Summers on the parkway are generally hot and humid, with daytime highs frequently above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Please carry water while participating in physical activity and be prepared to take shelter from lightning. Winters on the parkway are generally cold, with nighttime lows frequently near freezing and occasional snowfall. Please be alert for snowplows and icy spots on roadways. Weather during spring and fall is generally moderate, but can change quickly.
- Visitor center
- Dyke Marsh Wildlife Habitat
- Visitor center
- Fort Marcy
- Visitor center
- Great Falls Park Fee Booth
- Visitor center
- Great Falls Park Fee Booth
- Visitor center
- Information Panel: Stabilizing the Marsh
Facilities on the park map
3 bench, 1 changing table, 16 picnic area, 17 restroom, 5 visitor information.
Where to stay
- Staybridge Suites Tysons - McLean
History
- Opened
- 1930
- Heritage status
- Listed heritage / protected status
- Park opened
- Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary opened
Nearby
- Wild Tomato
- Fish Taco
- Sal’s Italian Kitchen
- Passion Fin
- Starbucks
- CVS Pharmacy
- Gregorio's Trattoria
- McLean Family Restaurant
- Evo Bistro
- Red Tomato Pizzaria
- Pasa Thai Cuisine
- matchbox
- Papa John's
- Rocco's
- Pit Masters Back Alley BBQ
- Sweet Leaf Cafe
- Tatte Bakery & Cafe
- Silver and Sons Barbecue
- McLean Pharmacy
- Masala Indian Cuisine