About Glen Echo Park
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.
From the National Park Service.
- State
- Maryland
- Designation
- Park
- Entrance fee
- None listed
- Trail data for this park is still being added.
- Places for this park are still being added.
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Glen Echo Park.
Entrance fees
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.
Hours
Glen Echo Park Grounds and Parking Lot
- Mon
- 6:00AM - 1:00AM
- Tue
- 6:00AM - 1:00AM
- Wed
- 6:00AM - 1:00AM
- Thu
- 6:00AM - 1:00AM
- Fri
- 6:00AM - 1:00AM
- Sat
- 6:00AM - 1:00AM
- Sun
- 6:00AM - 1:00AM
The grounds of Glen Echo Park are open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. (the next day). No overnight parking.
Weather and when to go
Weather for Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland areas.
Getting there
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.
Contact the park
- Address
- 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD 20812
- Phone
- (301) 320-1400
- Official site
- nps.gov/glec
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Glen Echo Park
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
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Things to do in Glen Echo Park
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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Ride the Historic Dentzel Carousel
The Dentzel Carousel is operated by our partner, the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture.
What to pack for Glen Echo Park
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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