Contact: 301-842-2155
E-mail Fort Frederick State Park
Washington County
Fort Frederick State Park
11100 Fort Frederick Road
Big Pool MD 21711
Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, April-October
10 a.m. to sunset, November-March
2021 Park, Camping and Building Hours
ALERT: 11-24-2020 – Fort Frederick State Park is OPEN to allow for outdoor recreation. The park’s campground (self-contained camping units only 11/1/2020 to 3/31/2021), picnic area, playground, and all trails are open at this time. Portable toilets are available at the Visitor Center and the fort parking lot. All other State Park buildings are closed to the public.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reaffirming the need for members of the public who engage in outdoor recreation to follow all guidelines in place to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The department website includes a guide to social distancing and safe outdoor activity.
https://dnr.maryland.gov/Publiclands/Pages/COVID-19-Virus-Alert.aspx
The safety and well-being of our staff and visitors to Maryland State Parks is our top priority and we take that responsibility very seriously. With that in mind, all park visitors over the age of five are required to wear face coverings in State Park buildings. Face coverings are also required in outdoor public areas, whenever it is not possible to maintain physical distancing. Staff will be taking extra safety precautions to mitigate the risk of contact with the COVID-19 virus. We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust operations as events warrant.
This website will be updated as new information becomes available.
Fort Grounds Closure
The gateway at historic Fort Frederick is undergoing much needed restoration work. There will be intermittent access to the fort grounds. Call the Duty Ranger phone for daily details: 443-805-1759. The park remains open. During the closure you can take a virtual tour of the barracks at https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Documents/FFSP_Virtual%20Tour.pdf
New Self Guided Activities!
Since you can’t come visit the historic fort right now, the park staff thought we’d bring the fort and natural history to you through Activity Booklets, and self guided Walking Tours and Hikes. Some of these you can do at home while others you need to come see us at the park. Please print them out before you visit. Self Guided Walking Tours are available in the Explore 2020 Visitor Guide which is also available at the park. If you have any questions or would like to share pictures or thoughts on your experience please call the park at (301) 842-2155 or send us an email at fortfrederick.statepark@maryland.gov. We hope you enjoy these Activity Booklets, and self guided Walking Tours and Hikes and hope to see you soon!
The centerpiece of the Fort Frederick State Park is a unique stone fort that served as Maryland’s frontier defense during the French and Indian War. Built in 1756, the fort's stone wall and two barracks have been restored to their 1758 appearance. Historic exhibits are in the fort, barracks, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum and visitor center. The fort barracks are open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on the weekends in the spring and fall, when staff and volunteers dress in period clothing and occupy the fort, demonstrating daily life in the 18th century. The 585-acre park borders the Potomac River and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal passes through the park. The park also features a boat launch, campsites, camp store, fishing, flat water canoeing, hiking trails, a playground, a picnic area and large pavilion. Group tours are available seasonally.