Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas
Campground · District of Columbia · 6 bookable sites ·
Managed by the National Park Service
- 6
- Bookable sites
- up to 75
- People per site
- 264 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Fort Dupont Park has three picnic areas that groups may reserve from spring to fall each year. There are also picnic areas available on first-come, first-served (no reservation required).
Recreation
The varied seasonal activities at this spacious area east of the Anacostia River include: picnic areas, hiking trails, Civil War programs, gardening, environmental education, concerts and special events, mountain biking and youth programs. Visit Fort Dupont's Things to Do web page.
Facilities
The three reservable picnic areas at Fort Dupont are::
Picnic areas A and B at Randle Circle. Both of these offer picnic tables, a grill and a nearby restroom building and playground. Electricity is not available on site. These areas have street parking but there is also a larger parking lot less than 1/4 mile from the picnic area. This site is also close to several park nature trails and the Fort Dupont Activity Center that has exhibits and other information about the park. No other amenities are available.
The Historic Earthwork (Lanham Estates) picnic area on Alabama Avenue. This area offers a picnic shelter, tables, grill and a fireplace. Electricity is not available on site. This site also has an adjacent parking lot with open space nearby for playing games but there are no formal ball fields. This is also in the historic area of the park that contains the earthwork remnants of Fort Dupont and interpretive signage that give the history of the fort. This picnic area also offers access to the seven-mile Fort Circle Parks Hiker-Biker Trail, a seven mile trail that connects multiple fort sites in southeast Washington, D.C..
Natural Features
Fort Dupont Park has 376 rolling wooded acres (152 ha), and is one of the largest parks in Washington D.C. Oak, beech and maple trees cover the hillsides. There is also a large area of mountain laurel that blooms in the spring each year.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors may also enjoy:
Fort Circle Parks Hiker-Biker Trail,a seven mile trail that connects multiple fort sites from the Civil War Defenses of Washington in southeast Washington, D.C., is accessible from Fort Dupont's Lanham Estates picnic area.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (771) 233-3973.Charges & Cancellations
Half day $65.00. Full day $130.00. No refund for cancellation.
The facts
- 6 bookable sites
- 6 sites for day use only
- Up to 75 people per site
- Loops: ALABAMA AVENUE, RANDLE CIRCLE
Site types
- 6 Group Picnic Area
Amenities
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, grills.
6 campsites at Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Earthwork (Lanham Estates) AM (8am-2pm) | ALABAMA AVENUE | Group Picnic Area | — | Gravel | — | 75 | 🐾 |
| Historic Earthwork (Lanham Estates) PM (3pm-8pm) | ALABAMA AVENUE | Group Picnic Area | — | Gravel | — | 75 | 🐾 |
| Randle Circle A - AM (8am-2pm) | RANDLE CIRCLE | Group Picnic Area | — | — | — | 75 | 🐾 |
| Randle Circle A - PM (3pm-8pm) | RANDLE CIRCLE | Group Picnic Area | — | — | — | 75 | 🐾 |
| Randle Circle B - AM (8am-2pm) | RANDLE CIRCLE | Group Picnic Area | — | — | — | 50 | 🐾 |
| Randle Circle B - PM (3pm-8pm) | RANDLE CIRCLE | Group Picnic Area | — | — | — | 50 | 🐾 |
Getting there
Please visit the Fort Dupont's Directions web page for detailed directions.
38.86278, -76.97000 · 38°51'46.0"N 76°58'12.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 90°F in Jul, down to 45°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 45 | 48 | 56 | 68 | 77 | 85 | 90 | 88 | 82 | 70 | 58 | 49 |
| Low °F | 28 | 30 | 37 | 46 | 57 | 66 | 71 | 69 | 62 | 49 | 39 | 32 |
| Precip in | 3.0 | 2.8 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Half day $65.00 Full day $130.00. No refund for cancellation.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas
- Can you reserve a site at Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas?
- Yes, Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas have?
- 6 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas.
Camping near Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas
- Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Tours 0.8 mi · Tickets · we watch it
- Anacostia Community Museum 0.5 mi · Museum
- Frederick Douglass NHS Visitor Center 0.8 mi · Visitor Center
- National Museum of the American Indian 3.1 mi · Museum
- National Postal Museum 3.2 mi · Facility
- National Air and Space Museum 3.3 mi · Facility
- National Museum of African Art 3.4 mi · Facility
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden 3.4 mi · Facility
- Riggs Washington D.C. 3.5 mi · Facility
- National Museum of Asian Art 3.5 mi · Facility
- Smithsonian Institution Building, the Castle 3.5 mi · Facility
- Arts and Industries Building 3.5 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 202-690-5152
- Email Stephanie_Jacob@nps.gov
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-30.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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