Rich in modern recreational facilities and historical significance, Fort Washington blossoms with flowering dogwood in the spring.
Fort Washington State Park consists of 493 acres in eastern Montgomery County. It takes its name from the temporary fort built by George Washington’s troops in the fall of 1777, before heading to Valley Forge.
The park is popular with hikers and picnickers. Birders enjoy the seasonal migration of raptors from the Observation Deck.
Hiking at Fort Washington State Park
3.5 miles of trails
More difficult trails wander through forest and open fields.
Green Ribbon Trail
This 2.5-mile multi-use trail provides opportunities for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing along Wissahickon Creek.
It connects the Militia Hill and Flourtown Day Use areas via Montgomery County Park land. The trail also extends through local communities to the south and connects with Fairmount Park’s Forbidden drive in Chestnut Hill.
Dog Walking
Pets are permitted in Fort Washington State Park. All pets must be controlled and attended at all times and on a leash or otherwise safely restrained.
Be considerate when walking your dog and carry a container to clean up after your pet.
Also, please try to stay away from playfields, ball fields, picnic areas, and the organized group tenting area.
Picnicking at Fort Washington State Park
Flourtown Day Use Area and Militia Hill Day Use Area provide more than 300 picnic tables. Large playfields offer ample room for group or individual picnic activities.
Two picnic pavilions are available for year-round use, weather conditions permitting. The pavilions are available for rental with advance reservations. If not reserved, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flourtown Day Use Area is a carry-in/carry-out trash disposal area. There are no trash collection or recycling facilities. Visitors are asked to limit the amount of disposable items brought to the park and to take all trash, garbage, and recyclables home.
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. ADA accessible picnic tables and parking spaces have been designated throughout the park. Militia Hill Day Use Area has an accessible picnic pavilion, mini-pavilion, playground, and restrooms.
Stay the Night at Fort Washington State Park
Organized Group Tenting
This rustic area is open year round and has a maximum capacity of 220 people.
To reserve a group tent campsite, call 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757), Monday to Saturday, 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. except on the Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day holidays.
Wildlife Watching at Fort Washington State Park
Observation Deck
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Park volunteers built the ADA accessible deck during 1995. The deck provides a scenic overlook year-round, and also provides great views of the butterfly garden.
All 16 species of raptors that migrate on the East Coast can be seen here. The “watch” begins September 1 and lasts through October 31. Volunteer compilers are on duty every day, from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., counting raptors that migrate past the deck.
For more information, or to bring a group to the Hawk Watch Observation Deck, call 215-591-5250.
Fishing at Fort Washington State Park
Wissahickon Creek passes through the park offering trout fishing in the spring. During the summer, it offers warmwater fishing for:
Carp
Catfish
Panfish
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Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.
Disc Golfing at Fort Washington State Park
The wooded, nine-hole course begins in Lot #2 in the Militia Hill Day Use Area at a kiosk with a map of the course.
Softball at Fort Washington State Park
A softball field in the Flourtown Day Use Area is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sledding at Fort Washington State Park
Near Lot #5 in the Militia Hill Day Use Area is a 400-foot slope for sledding.
Cross-Country Skiing at Fort Washington State Park
Both beginner and expert skiers can enjoy the 1.7-mile loop trail in the Militia Hill Day Use Area.
