← Back to Search

Glen Echo Park

Designation: Park

Location: Maryland

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

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.

🌤 Weather Information

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

🚗 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.

Images

groups of families, adults and children strolling in Glen Echo Park near Carousel Building

Glen Echo Park and the Dentzel Carousel are enjoyed by children and adults.

Credit: NPS Photo/Bruce Douglas

outdoor scene of open dance pavilion illuminated and evening dance crowd inside.

Evening Dance in the Bumper Car Pavilion

Credit: NPS Photo/Bruce Douglas

people walking around large room during art show

Visitors enjoy the Labor Day Art Show which highlights pieces created by students from the Glen Echo Park art programs.

Credit: NPS Photo

three children seated at a picnic table working on a Glen Echo Park Junior Ranger Booklet.

Completing the Glen Echo Park Junior Ranger Booklet to earn the Junior Ranger Badge.

Credit: NPS Photo/Bruce Douglas

people gathered at picnic tables enjoying a lunch in Glen Echo Park

Glen Echo Park has a large picnic area with many tables, restrooms and a playground.

Credit: NPS Photo/Bruce Douglas

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

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

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Monday, Jul 13

Sunny

Sunny

High: 92.8°F | Low: 65.5°F

Humidity: 56%

Wind: 6 mph

Rain Chance: 2%

UV Index: 9

Sunrise: 05:54 AM

Sunset: 08:34 PM

Moon: New Moon (0%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 70°F

Cloud Cover: 2%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Tuesday, Jul 14

Sunny

Sunny

High: 91.7°F | Low: 66.4°F

Humidity: 60%

Wind: 5.8 mph

Rain Chance: 3%

UV Index: 9.5

Sunrise: 05:54 AM

Sunset: 08:34 PM

Moon: New Moon (1%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 71.1°F

Cloud Cover: 3%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Jul 15

Sunny

Sunny

High: 99.4°F | Low: 72.1°F

Humidity: 55%

Wind: 7.4 mph

Rain Chance: 2%

UV Index: 9.8

Sunrise: 05:55 AM

Sunset: 08:33 PM

Moon: New Moon (3%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 75.9°F

Cloud Cover: 2%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Glen Echo Park Closing at 12noon Monday March 16 Due to Hazardous Weather Park Closure
Glen Echo Park will be closing at 12noon on Monday March 16,2026 due to impending hazardous weather. Areas will reopen as soon as conditions are safe. Alert will be removed when area reopens. For the latest updates, visitors should check www.nps.gov/glec and social media.
Glen Echo Park to Remain Closed Through February 2 2026 Park Closure
George Washington Memorial Parkway, including Glen Echo Park, and other park areas and facilities will remain closed through Monday February 2 due to winter weather impacts. Click on "More" below for details on specific closures. Areas will reopen as soon as conditions are safe. For the latest updates, visitors should check www.nps.gov/gwmp and GWMP social media. Next update expected: February 2

More Info

Park Events

Adopt a Tree: Earth Day Volunteer Event
In celebration of Earth Day, the National Park Service has partnered with Tree Friends to host a special Adopt-a-Tree volunteer event!   Join NPS and Tree Friends as we work together to protect trees that are being threatened by invasive vines. Volunteers will have the opportunity to “adopt” a tree and make a commitment to help care for it by removing invasive plants whenever time allows. In order to continue to help with these efforts visit  https://www.treefriendsunited.com/ for future events.   This family-friendly event will include:
• Invasive vine removal to help protect park trees
• Fun educational and interpretive programming
• Interactive games and activities
• Opportunities to learn about tree stewardship and conservation   By adopting a tree at Glen Echo, you’ll be helping preserve the health and beauty of the park for years to come.   Come celebrate Earth Day, learn about protecting our forests, and make a difference—one tree at a time!

Date: Apr 22, 2026 12:00am to Apr 22, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Carousel Day at Glen Echo Park

Meet the Park Ranger at the mobile visitor center for the annual Carousel Day celebration at Glen Echo Park.

Visitors will learn about how the Glen Echo carousel is more than  a beautiful historic ride and how it became a symbol of the fight for equality during the Civil  Rights Movement.

The carousel stood at the center of the 1960 Glen Echo Protest, when local  students and community members organized peaceful demonstrations to challenge the park’s segregation policies.  

More information: CAROUSEL DAY | Glen Echo Park 

Date: May 2, 2026 12:00am to May 2, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812

🏤 Mailing Address:
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812

📞 Voice Phone: 3013201400

✉️ Email: gwmp_glen_echo@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
Loading fun fact...