Fort Foote National Park

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: Fort Foote Play Ground Henson Creek Stream Valley Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fort Foote National Park is located in the state of Maryland, not Virginia.

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Summary

Fort Foote National Park is a historic site that played a significant role in the Civil War by protecting the capital of the United States, Washington D.C. This park is an ideal destination for history enthusiasts with a keen interest in the American Civil War. Visitors can explore the fort, which includes a museum, gun emplacements, and a scenic trail. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and rabbits.

Some of the specific points of interest to see at Fort Foote National Park include the restored fort, the museum, and the Civil War gun emplacements. The park also offers a scenic trail that provides stunning views of the Potomac River.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Fort Foote was the largest fort in the defenses of Washington during the Civil War and that it played a crucial role in protecting the capital from Confederate attacks. Additionally, the fort was named after Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote, who fought in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War.

The best time of year to visit Fort Foote National Park is in the spring and fall months when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its most beautiful. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including guided tours, birdwatching, and environmental education programs.

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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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