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Park · Maryland

Glen Echo Park

Park in Maryland. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypePark
StateMaryland
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkShenandoah (72 mi)
Closest airportDCA (10 mi)
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. Photo: NPS Photo/Bruce Douglas

Glen Echo Park is a park run by the National Park Service in Maryland.

In the park service’s words

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 (public domain).

Things to do

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 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.

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington, DC No road route 10 Large hub
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Dulles, VA No road route 17 Large hub
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Baltimore, MD No road route 29 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Weather

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

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Shenandoah, about 72 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Glen Echo Park?

No entrance fee.

Where is Glen Echo Park?

In Maryland. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, about 10 miles away.

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