Fort Washington State Park
Fort Washington State Park is a 493-acre park in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It sits in Springfield and Whitemarsh Townships, about 17 miles north of Philadelphia and near the Pennsylvania Turnpike exit 339. Wissahickon Creek runs through the park, which is known for its springtime dogwood blossoms. It’s a popular place for families to picnic, hike, and enjoy nature.
The name comes from American defenses built here in 1777 during the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War. After Washington’s army lost at Germantown, about 11,000 troops camped at the site from November 11 to December 11, 1777, before marching to Valley Forge. The nearby Battle of White Marsh occurred December 5–8, 1777. Fort Hill marks where a temporary fort stood, and Militia Hill was where the Pennsylvania militia held positions led by Generals Armstrong, Cadwalader, and Irvine.
Fairmount Park Commission started the park in the early 1920s, working with the Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters. In 1953, responsibility for the park was transferred to that department, now called the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
What you can do here: disc golf, fishing, hiking, dog walking, bird and wildlife watching, sledding, cross-country skiing, and picnicking. From September 1 to October 31, the park hosts Hawk Watch, where visitors can see all 16 eastern raptor species from the observation deck. Hunting is not allowed in the park.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 17:50 (CET).