Fort Dupont Park

Fort Dupont Park is a 376-acre wooded park located in southeast Washington, D.C. The park is managed by the National Park Service and gets its name from the Civil War-era earthwork fort that once stood on the site.

The park contains remnants of Fort Dupont's earthworks, which were constructed in 1861 as part of the defenses protecting Washington, D.C. during the Civil War. Today, visitors can see traces of the fort's six-sided structure near the picnic area on Alabama Avenue.

Fort Dupont Park offers a variety of recreational activities and natural spaces for visitors to enjoy. The park features hiking and biking trails winding through its forested hills, which are home to oak, beech, and maple trees. In the spring, areas of mountain laurel bloom throughout the woods.

The park provides spaces for picnicking, with reservable picnic areas available from spring through fall. Other amenities include sports facilities like tennis courts, basketball courts, athletic fields, and an indoor ice skating rink. Fort Dupont Park also has a community garden where visitors can grow fruits and vegetables.

Throughout the year, the park hosts various programs and events, including concerts, environmental education activities, and ranger-led tours focused on the park's Civil War history. The park serves as an important green space and recreational area for residents of Washington, D.C., particularly those living east of the Anacostia River.