Fort Barnard Park

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: Fort Barnard Community Gardens Fort Barnard Heights Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fort Barnard Park is a historic park located in Arlington, Virginia.

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Summary

The park was originally a Civil War-era fortification that protected the capital city of Washington, D.C. Today, the park is a popular destination for visitors who want to explore the park's rich history and natural beauty.

One of the main reasons to visit Fort Barnard Park is its historical significance. The park has several points of interest that provide insight into the park's past, including the remains of the fort's earthworks and a replica cannon. Visitors can also explore the park's interpretive trail, which highlights the park's Civil War history and its role in the defense of Washington, D.C.

In addition to its historical significance, Fort Barnard Park is also home to a variety of wildlife and natural features. The park is located along Four Mile Run, a scenic waterway that is popular for fishing and kayaking. Visitors can also explore the park's hiking trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding area.

Interesting facts about Fort Barnard Park include the fact that the park was used as a training ground for World War II soldiers and that it was once home to a Nike missile site during the Cold War era.

The best time of year to visit Fort Barnard Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park's natural beauty is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round and offers something to see and do in every season.

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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.

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