Status board | Park Alerts

Closure

List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene

Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia

Many closures remain on the Trail following Hurricane Helene's devastation. This will remain true for the foreseeable future. Visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) website for an up-to-date list of closures. OBSERVE ALL CLOSURES. Stay safe!

Closure

Arlington House Potential Closures

Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial · Virginia

Due to HVAC system issues, Arlington House may close to visitors when interior temperatures reach 85°F. Temporary closures may occur with little notice to protect the safety and comfort of visitors and staff.

Closure

Part of Fort Totten Park remains closed for public safety

Civil War Defenses of Washington · District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

Out of an abundance of caution, Fort Totten Park will remain closed east of Fort Totten Drive, south of Gallatin Street/Metropolitan Branch Trail and north of Brookland Ave NE/Farragut St. due to the investigation involving two WWI-era munitions found.

Closure

Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway Continues

Colonial National Historical Park · Virginia

Construction on the Colonial Parkway is affecting travel in many sections. Please follow all detour and caution signs. Additional information can be found at the link below.

Closure

Road Closure and Fishing Pier Impact

Fort Monroe National Monument · Virginia

The Engineer Wharf, one of two fishing piers at Fort Monroe is temporarily closed. The Finger Pier remains open. Also closed is the section of Fenwick Road between Ingalls and the East Gate of the fort. Detour signs will aid travelers around the closure.

Closure

Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center Closed, Store and Grounds Open

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park · Virginia

Starting November 20, 2025 the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center will be closed while updates are made to building systems. Front Desk operations including visitor orientation will move to the adjacent Fredericksburg Battlefield Bookstore. The Chancellorsville Visitor Center remains open to visitors 9am - 5pm all week.

Closure

Temporary Closure of Clara Barton Parkway 10/24/26 for BellRinger Event

George Washington Memorial Parkway · District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

Temporary Closure of Clara Barton Parkway on October 24, 2026 for the 2026 BellRinger Cycling Event. The closure is temporary and limited to the period necessary to safely accommodate BellRinger participants on Clara Barton Parkway. The closure will begin at 6:00 AM for authorized traffic-control staging and is anticipated to end at approximately 11:00 AM. Click on "More" below for specific details on the closure.

Closure

Single Lane Closures on South Parkway Near River Farm Drive

George Washington Memorial Parkway · District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

Beginning October 8, one lane both northbound and southbound will be closed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for 4 weeks to repair an upheaval in the road. Please expect slight traffic delays in the area.

Closure

Northbound GWMP Lane Closures Between Spout Run and Route 123 Resumes

George Washington Memorial Parkway · District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

Northbound lanes between Spout Run Parkway and Route 123 will close Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  from Oct. 5 - 15 for tree maintenance. Southbound lane closures will begin on Oct. 19 and last until Nov. 26.

Closure

Temporary Closure of the Clara Barton Parkway 3500 ft of right travel lane

George Washington Memorial Parkway · District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

Temporary Closure of the Clara Barton Parkway 3500 feet of right travel lane at Site 17, managed land areas between Clara Barton Parkway and C&O Canal, and between Lock 10 parking lot north to Lock 14 required to address the ongoing safety concerns from DC Water emergency sanitary sewer bypass and pipe repair. Click on "More" below for specific details on the closure.

Closure

Aid Box Rock Climbing Area Closed

Great Falls Park · Virginia

The Aid Box rock climbing area is temporarily closed due to a recent rock topple.

Closure

Bridge to Maryland Heights & C&O Canal CLOSED

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park · West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland

Due to safety concerns, the Goodloe Byron Memorial Footbridge to the C&O Canal NHP towpath is expected to remain closed this fall for safety repairs on the pedestrian bridge. This work is in addition to the staircase replacement. A shuttle with very limited space currently runs between Harpers Ferry NHP Visitor Center and C&O Canal Lock 34. This will impact access to Maryland Heights, the Appalachian NST, and the Potomac Heritage NST. We strongly advise considering other trails when possible.

Closure

Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway continues with additional Parkway closures

Historic Jamestowne Part of Colonial National Historical Park · Virginia

Beginning Tuesday, April 9, 2024, construction will close the Colonial Parkway to all travel in either direction between Yorktown and VA Route 199. Follow all detour signs. See additional closure information in the link below.

Closure

Trail Detour at Glover Archbold Trail at Rock Creek Park (Washington, DC)

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail · District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia

The southern part of the Glover Archbold trail is closed due to aerial hazards caused by the trestle bridge. Work is being done to safely remove the bridge from the area to alleviate these hazards. Please obey any posted signs and do not enter the fenced off area.

Closure

Parking Lot E Closed for Construction

Prince William Forest Park · Virginia

Parking Lot E is closed for construction. The park is currently working to expand this parking area, and the lot will be closed while the expansion is being built. Visitors can still access the Mary Byrd Branch Trail and Quantico Cascades Trail by following trail reroute signs and parking vehicles in Turkey Run parking area. For your safety, please follow all closures and only park in designated parking spots.

Closure

Active Closure

Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

Due to recent wildlife interactions and out of an abundance of caution, the Naked Creek backcountry zone is closed to all recreation until further notice. A camping closure remains in effect for the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Lewis Mountain to Big Meadows, including the Bearfence AT Hut. The AT is still accessible to hikers for day-use only.

Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway continues with additional Parkway closures

Yorktown Battlefield Part of Colonial National Historical Park · Virginia

Beginning Tuesday, April 9, 2024, construction will close the Colonial Parkway to all travel in either direction between Yorktown and VA Route 199. Follow all detour signs. See additional closure information in the link below.

Caution

Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia

Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia

Human-habituated bears have been frequently spotted in the McAfee Knob Area. Allowing bears access to human food or garbage causes it to lose its fear of humans. Follow all food storage regulations, use provided food lockers and never feed a bear.

Caution

Ongoing work on Lower Town buildings

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park · West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland

Facilities staff are doing repair work on several buildings in Lower Town. Please follow signs for alternate entrances and heed temporary closures.

Caution

Emergency Phone Line Unavailable

Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

Shenandoah National Park Emergency Phone number (1-800-732-0911) is currently unavailable. For all emergencies, Park visitors can dial 911.

Caution

Parking at Boundary Access Areas

Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

Visitors are reminded to park in designated parking areas when accessing the park via boundary trailheads. Parking in unauthorized locations may result in your vehicle being towed at the owner's expense. Park on the right side of the road approaching Thompson Hollow. Parking is authorized up to the "No Parking" sign before a private driveway.

Information

Temporary Number Change

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park · Virginia

The park's phone number has temporarily changed. Please call 434-694-8904.

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OSV Status

Assateague Island National Seashore · Maryland, Virginia

10/18/26 MD OSV is CLOSED due to overwash. VA South OSV is open. Beware of overwash conditions at high tides. The VA North OSV fishing mile is closed.

Information

Trail Maintenance Underway Near Sand Cave

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park · Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia

Crews are using Ridge Trail from Hensley to Sand Cave Trail to complete trail work. Trails remain open; some sections may be muddy or messy.

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Reminder: Look Before Parking

Fort Monroe National Monument · Virginia

Visitors are reminded to park in marked parking spaces. Parking in the grass or other alternative areas is unauthorized. Please help us #KeepFortMonroeBeautiful.

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The Picnic Area, Burial Ground, and Potomac River Beach are open Wednesday through Sunday

George Washington Birthplace National Monument · Virginia

The Picnic Area, Washington Family Burial Ground, and Potomac River Beach are open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Information

The Visitor Center is open Wednesday - Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

George Washington Birthplace National Monument · Virginia

The Visitor Center is open Wednesday - Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Information

Detour along Mount Vernon Trail at Gravelly Point

George Washington Memorial Parkway · District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

Due to constriction for the Long Bridge Project, the Mount Vernon Trail will be temporarily detoured around the construction zone beginning on July 15, 2026. Trail users should expect periodic crossings of equipment and materials where the trail meets the construction access road. Detour will be in place through 2030.

Information

Intermittent Lane Closures at GW Parkway for Bridge/Pavement Preservation

George Washington Memorial Parkway · District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia

Beginning on Monday, November 17, 2025, expect intermittent traffic impacts at GWMP. This Bridge and pavement preservation work is expected to extend into the Fall of 2026 and will make repairs to 24 GWMP bridges and over 30 paved roads and parking assets. To minimize traffic impacts, weekday lane closures on George Washington Memorial Parkway, Clara Barton Parkway, and Spout Run Parkway will NOT be allowed inbound to DC from 5:30am to 9:30am and outbound from DC from 2:30pm to 7:30pm Monday through Friday.

Information

Temporary Closures of Park Entrance Possible if Parking Lots Become Full

Great Falls Park · Virginia

If parking lots become full, there will be a temporary closure of the park entrance at Georgetown Pike & Old Dominion Drive. The park entrance will re-open as soon as space becomes available. For updated information about parking, call Visitor Center at 703-757-3101

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Infrastructure Improvements to Old Rag Trailhead

Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

Effective May 4, Shenandoah National Park will begin infrastructure enhancements at the Old Rag Trailhead main parking lot. We expect to complete work by November 2026. Until then, the main parking lot is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Visitors can access Old Rag Trailhead via existing overflow parking lots. Day-use tickets are still required from March 1 through November 30 in addition to a park entrance fee.

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Shenandoah National Park Moved to Fully Cashless Fee Collection

Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

On July 1, 2025, the park transitioned to a fully cashless system at our fee entrance stations. Only credit cards, debit cards, or mobile payments will be accepted.

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Get Skyline Drive Status Updates

Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

Sign up for Shenandoah Alerts by texting SHENALERTS to 888777. Any time there are closures, re-openings, or other important safety-related alerts, subscribers will receive a notification via text. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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Ticket Required to Hike Old Rag

Shenandoah National Park · Virginia

March 1 - November 30 those wishing to hike Old Rag are required to obtain a day-use ticket before arriving.

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We cannot mail out at this time

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail · Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia

We do not mail Junior Ranger books; please download from site. Completed books may be submitted digitally. Junior Ranger badges may be mailed once per person per calendar year after completion. We do not mail completed books back.