Mcpherson Square

Rate this place

Parks

District-Of-Columbia

Nearby: Farragut Square Lafayette Square Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

McPherson Square is a public park located in the heart of Washington D.C.

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It is also referred to as the President's Park because it is situated between the White House and the National Mall. Visitors can easily access the park through the McPherson Square Metro Station.

One of the most notable features of McPherson Square is the statue of Major General James B. McPherson, for whom the park is named. The statue was erected in 1876 and is one of the oldest military monuments in Washington D.C. Other points of interest in the park include the fountain, green spaces, and seating areas.

McPherson Square has an interesting history. It served as a hub for protest movements in the 1960s and was the site of the Occupy D.C. movement in 2011. The park was also a popular hangout spot for homeless individuals during the 2000s, until a renovation project in 2020 aimed at addressing homelessness in the area.

The best time to visit McPherson Square is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and there are often events and festivals taking place at nearby locations such as the National Mall. However, the park is open year-round, so visitors can enjoy it at any time of the year.

Overall, McPherson Square is a beautiful and historic park that is worth a visit for its scenic views and interesting statues and monuments.

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

Related References