Picnic area at Fort Necessity National Battlefield
A picnic area with tables and grills is located within Fort Necessity National Battlefield a short drive from the park’s Visitor Center. The tables are in a wooded area with plenty of shade. There is a fancy outhouse on the property as well (pit toilet in a permanent building).
All tables are taken on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved. Thus, if you plan on hosting an event, you’ll need to arrive at the crack of dawn to claim your tables. Large group events require a permit, and fees apply. If interested, contact the park’s Special Use Coordinator at (724) 329-5805 to see if your event requires a permit and what you must do to get one. However, as you will read in the following review, the Fort Necessity Picnic Area is not an ideal place to host an event.
There are three sections of the Fort Necessity Picnic Area. The first is by the parking lot, and though located on a large field, there are only three tables and three grills. These are spread out over the field, making group picnicking impractical.
Main section of the picnic area at Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Also near the parking lot is a separate section for disabled visitors, though anyone can picnic here if the tables not being used. There are three tables, each with its own grill. The restroom is nearby.
Tables for disabled visitors at Fort Necessity National Battlefield’s picnic area
A third section is not readily apparent. When at the disabled visitor section, look for a footbridge. This connects to another large field that is nearly as sparsely populated as the first one. There is one additional table out in the open and two pavilions with a couple tables each. One pavilion is in poor condition (at least at the time of my visit). The area is a good ways from the parking lot, so I can’t imagine many people wanting to haul their picnicking supplies this far.
Footbridge connects the two fields of the Fort Necessity National Battlefield Picnic Area
Second of two fields of the Fort Necessity National Battlefield Picnic Area
Pavilion at the Fort Necessity National Battlefield Picnic Area
Dilapidated pavilion at the Fort Necessity National Battlefield Picnic Area
There are also numerous stone grills that are not to be used. I can’t say for sure, but Rock Creek Park in Washington, D. C. has similar grills, and they were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) back in the 1930s. Perhaps these stone grills are the same, and since they are somewhat historic, they are off limits for cooking.
Old stone grill at the Fort Necessity National Battlefield Picnic Area
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Last updated on November 6, 2024
