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Glen Echo Park

Designation: Park

Location: Maryland

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Glen Echo Park began in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly "to promote liberal and practical education." By 1911, it transformed into DC's premier amusement park until it closed in 1968. Since 1971, the National Park Service has owned and operated the site and today, with the help of the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, offers year-round cultural and recreational activities.

🌤 Weather Information

Weather for Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland areas.

🚗 Directions

By Car: Capital Beltway (I-495), Maryland outer loop exit 40 Cabin John Parkway to Clara Barton Parkway; Virginia inner loop exit 41 Clara Barton Parkway East; follow Clara Barton Parkway to MacArthur Boulevard and Glen Echo exit, left onto MacArthur Boulevard, straight across traffic circle at Goldsboro Road, next left onto Oxford Road, end of street, parking lots on the left. By Metro: Red Line to Bethesda or Friendship Heights Station, transfer to Montgomery County Ride-On Bus # 29, Glen Echo stop.

Images

groups of families, adults and children strolling in Glen Echo Park near Carousel Building

Glen Echo Park and the Dentzel Carousel are enjoyed by children and adults.

Credit: NPS Photo/Bruce Douglas

outdoor scene of open dance pavilion illuminated and evening dance crowd inside.

Evening Dance in the Bumper Car Pavilion

Credit: NPS Photo/Bruce Douglas

people walking around large room during art show

Visitors enjoy the Labor Day Art Show which highlights pieces created by students from the Glen Echo Park art programs.

Credit: NPS Photo

three children seated at a picnic table working on a Glen Echo Park Junior Ranger Booklet.

Completing the Glen Echo Park Junior Ranger Booklet to earn the Junior Ranger Badge.

Credit: NPS Photo/Bruce Douglas

people gathered at picnic tables enjoying a lunch in Glen Echo Park

Glen Echo Park has a large picnic area with many tables, restrooms and a playground.

Credit: NPS Photo/Bruce Douglas

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
6:00AM - 1:00AM
Monday
6:00AM - 1:00AM
Tuesday
6:00AM - 1:00AM
Wednesday
6:00AM - 1:00AM
Thursday
6:00AM - 1:00AM
Friday
6:00AM - 1:00AM
Saturday
6:00AM - 1:00AM

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Monday, Feb 9

Sunny

Sunny

High: 32.7°F | Low: 14.2°F

Humidity: 57%

Wind: 7.2 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.6

Sunrise: 07:07 AM

Sunset: 05:39 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (55%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 13.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Tuesday, Feb 10

Sunny

Sunny

High: 45.5°F | Low: 21.4°F

Humidity: 71%

Wind: 8.3 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.6

Sunrise: 07:06 AM

Sunset: 05:40 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (46%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 27.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Feb 11

Overcast

Overcast

High: 35.8°F | Low: 29.5°F

Humidity: 74%

Wind: 13.4 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.6

Sunrise: 07:04 AM

Sunset: 05:42 PM

Moon: Waning Crescent (36%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 29.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (1)

⚠️ Test Message (Unknown)
▼

Effective: Feb 9, 2026 1:27pm
Expires: Feb 9, 2026 1:37pm

Monitoring message only. Please disregard.

Park Alerts

Carousel Closed July 4th, 2014
The Carousel will be closed on July 4th, 2014. It will resume normal operations on July 5th.
New Ranger-led Program Times
Carousel tours are now being offered every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Meet at Carousel, lasts 30 minutes.

Park history tours can be scheduled by reservation only. Call 301-320-1400 for more information.

Glen Echo Park to close Sunday January 25 due to expected weather Park Closure
George Washington Memorial Parkway to close Glen Echo Park and other park areas and facilities starting Sunday, January 25 due to expected winter weather. Click on "More" below for details on specific closures. Areas will reopen as soon as conditions are safe. For the latest updates, visitors should check www.nps.gov/gwmp and GWMP social media. Next update expected: Monday, January 26, once the storm event has concluded.

More Info

Clara Barton Parkway Closure 2/27 and 2/28
The Clara Barton Parkway will be closed 2/26 and 2/27 from 10:00am to 2:00pm from Chain Bridge to the Clara Barton Turnaround for tree and brush removal, roadside vegetation control and leaf removal.

More Info

Videos are now available for viewing!
The videos in the Visitor Center (in the lobby of the North Arcade building) are now available again for viewing. They are shown on rotation on Saturdays and Sundays and by reservation by calling 301-320-1400.
**VIDEOS ARE TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE**
The videos in the Visitor Center are temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvience.
Union Arch Trail Temporarily Closed Through August 31 Park Closure
The Union Arch Trail near Glen Echo, Md is temporarily closed to clean up flooding debris.

More Info

SITE CLOSURES
The National Park Service offices at Glen Echo Park will be closed Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25. Scheduled shows for Adventure Theater on Dec. 24 are not affected by these changes. Contact Adventure Theater at 301-634-2270 for show information.
Park Reopened after Snow
The grounds of Glen Echo Park have reopened after yesterday's inclement weather. The parking lot and entrance road to the park have been plowed. Last updated 2/22/2015 10:30 am
Clara Barton National Historic Site and National Park Service office at Glen Echo Park winter hours
Both sites will begin their winter hours of operation 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m. daily Wednesdays - Sundays starting Saturday, December 29, 2013 through March 22, 2014. Glen Echo Park Partnership and co-operators will not be affected by these hours.
LIMITED PARKING on May 31 & June 1st
Glen Echo Park will have very limited parking on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, due to the Washington Folk Festival. This will be a busy weekend and thousands are expected to attend. Click "More" to visit their website for more info on the event

More Info

Glen Echo Park to Remain Closed Through February 2 2026 Park Closure
George Washington Memorial Parkway, including Glen Echo Park, and other park areas and facilities will remain closed through Monday February 2 due to winter weather impacts. Click on "More" below for details on specific closures. Areas will reopen as soon as conditions are safe. For the latest updates, visitors should check www.nps.gov/gwmp and GWMP social media. Next update expected: February 2

More Info

Union Arch Trail Temporarily Closed Through August 31 Park Closure
The Union Arch Trail near Glen Echo, Md is temporarily closed to clean up flooding debris.

More Info

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812

🏤 Mailing Address:
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812

📞 Voice Phone: 3013201400

✉️ Email: gwmp_glen_echo@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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