Fort Washington State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Fort Washington State Park is a historical and natural attraction located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
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Summary
The park sits on 493 acres of land and offers various recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking, bird watching, and fishing.
One of the main reasons to visit Fort Washington State Park is to explore its rich history. The park was named after the fort that was built during the American Revolutionary War in 1777. Visitors can still see the remains of the fort, as well as a reconstructed redoubt and artillery pieces.
Another point of interest in the park is the Militia Hill Hawk Watch, which is one of the best places for bird watching in the region. From late August to early December, visitors can observe the migration of various raptors such as bald eagles, ospreys, and peregrine falcons.
In addition, the park has several trails that offer scenic views of the surrounding area. The Green Ribbon Trail is a popular hiking trail that runs through the park and provides access to the Wissahickon Valley watershed.
Visitors can also enjoy picnicking and fishing in the park. The park has several picnic areas with tables and grills, as well as a fishing pond stocked with trout.
The best time to visit Fort Washington State Park is in the fall when the foliage is at its peak and the hawk migration is in full swing. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities and attractions depending on the season.
Overall, Fort Washington State Park is a great destination for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, and families looking for a fun day out.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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
Morris Arboretum Park
Wissahickon Valley Park
Pastorius Park
The Highlands Park
Spring Mill County Park