Wooded area of Group Picnic Area D at Fort Washington Park in Maryland
See the main Picnic Areas web page for rules and links to the other seven group picnic areas.
Capacity: D1: 35 | D2: 35
Tables: D1: 10 | D2: 10
Grills: D1: 3 | D2: 2
Parking Spaces: D1: 11 | D2: 10
Restrooms: Share with Group Picnic Area B4
Group Picnic Area D at Fort Washington Park is subdivided into two units, D1 and D2. These are the smallest of all the picnic areas at the park, holding just 35 people compared to the 100+ at the other locations. These are also the only picnic areas located in the forest.
Group Picnic Area D is just down the road from Group Picnic Area B (another subdivided site), and it shares the restroom with B4 (D1 is the closest to the restroom). Battery Humphreys separates the two picnic areas.
The road ends in a loop, and this is where the parking areas for Group Picnic Area D are located. Just down the hill from the parking area is Battery Smith. This is a small artillery battery that is in poor condition. I am surprised that the National Park Service even leaves it standing, as most such safety hazards are condemned. However, I’m guessing that by now the government realizes that a fence, and even steel doors, really doesn’t do much good because people will just tear them down to get inside. The end result is a lot of money spent, and people still get into the batteries. People put more effort into breaking down the doors than they do in going to work.
Battery Smith at Fort Washington Park
There are additional picnic tables and two grills down by the battery. A gated road leads to the bottom of the hill, but there is no parking area, so I’m guessing the road is used for unloading equipment only. It is a fairly steep hill down to the picnic tables, so this is the last place I’d want to be picnicking. What confuses me is that only two sites are listed as available for rental at Group Picnic Area D, so I am not sure what the deal is with these tables and grills by the battery. Signs designate the D1 and D2 picnic areas, while at the road down to the battery is a sign that reads RESERVED AREA D without any number designation.
Of all the picnic areas, D seems to be the least fun since it is really isolated from the rest of the park, though such privacy may be exactly what is desired. There is no playground, no activity field, no nearby restrooms, and no basketball court.
Group picnic areas are available from mid-April through the end of October and can be reserved up to one year in advance at Recreation.gov. A reservation is from 9 AM to sunset. Fees are typically $75 to $150, depending on the size of the picnic area you choose. Current fees are listed on Recreation.gov.
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on November 19, 2024
