Glen Echo Park
Glen Echo, MD Hours and Location

Learn and Explore

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.

We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.

Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.

Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a park entrance pass?

Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

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About this location:

Park

Operating Hours & Seasons

Glen Echo Park Grounds and Parking Lot

The grounds of Glen Echo Park are open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. (the next day). No overnight parking.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:6:00 AM-1:00 AM
• Monday:6:00 AM-1:00 AM
• Tuesday:6:00 AM-1:00 AM
• Wednesday:6:00 AM-1:00 AM
• Thursday:6:00 AM-1:00 AM
• Friday:6:00 AM-1:00 AM
• Saturday:6:00 AM-1:00 AM

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $0.00 – Glen Echo Park Entrance fee
  No entrance, no parking fee for the grounds, some activities, classes, dances, shows, Carousel rides will have fees for those activities or events.

Entrance Passes:

• $0.00 – no entrance pass, no entrance fee
  no entrance pass, no entrance fee

About

"Fun is where you find it!"

Glen Echo Park began in 1891 as a National Chautauqua Assembly "to promote liberal and practical education." By 1911, it transformed into DC’s premier amusement park until it closed in 1968. Since 1971, the National Park Service has owned and operated the site and today, with the help of the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, offers year-round cultural and recreational activities.

Directions

By Car: Capital Beltway (I-495), Maryland outer loop exit 40 Cabin John Parkway to Clara Barton Parkway; Virginia inner loop exit 41 Clara Barton Parkway East; follow Clara Barton Parkway to MacArthur Boulevard and Glen Echo exit, left onto MacArthur Boulevard, straight across traffic circle at Goldsboro Road, next left onto Oxford Road, end of street, parking lots on the left. By Metro: Red Line to Bethesda or Friendship Heights Station, transfer to Montgomery County Ride-On Bus # 29, Glen Echo stop.

Weather

Weather for Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland areas.

Permits and Reservations Information