Fort Dupont Park
Short family-oriented loops, longer wooded trail connections, and both reservable group shelters and free individual picnic tables make Fort Dupont the largest nature outing in this slice.
The 2026 compendium closes Ridge Road picnic area and its restrooms and the Lanham Estates restrooms; other named picnic restrooms close November 15–April 15. Lanham vehicle gates and pedestrian access have different hours. Check trails, gates, restrooms, reservations, alerts, and events before going.
- Best for
- Wooded trails + picnic
- Loops
- About ¼ mi + 1 mi
- Surface
- Paved + dirt + gravel
- Picnic
- Reserved groups + free tables
3600 F Street SE, Washington, DC 20019
Southeast Washington · Directions
Fort Dupont is a 400-acre park with hiking, biking, picnicking, gardening, and ranger programs. Family-scale options include the roughly quarter-mile Hollow Tree Trail and one-mile Turkey Trot loop, which participates in the Kids in Parks TRACK Trail program.
Trail conditions are consequential: the two loops include rolling or steep terrain, steps or water bars, and paved, dirt, and gravel surfaces, while the longer Fort Circle route adds natural-surface hazards and stepped bridges. NPS also states that the reservable group picnic areas are not accessible.