Clara Barton National Historic Site
Protected park · MD, USA
Clara Barton National Historic Site in MD, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Quick answers
- When is Clara Barton National Historic Site open?
- Usually Mon–Thu closed; Fri–Sat 13:00–17:00; Sun closed. Details
- When is the best time to visit Clara Barton National Historic Site?
- By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, May, and October. Details
- Where do you park?
- Glen Echo Park and Clara Barton National Historic Site Parking has 267 parking spaces. Details
When is Clara Barton National Historic Site open?
- Mon–Thu closed
- Fri–Sat 13:00–17:00
- Sun closed
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
Clara Barton dedicated her life and energies to help others in times of need - both home and abroad, in peacetime as well as during military emergencies. Glen Echo was her home the last 15 years of her life, and the structure illustrates her dedication and concern for those less fortunate than herself.
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions, Visitor center.
When is the best time to visit Clara Barton National Historic Site?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, May, and October.
The weather works against it in January, February, July, and December.
The warmest month is July, with average highs near 87°F (31°C); the coolest is January, near 39°F (4°C).
June is the wettest month, with about 4.7 in (119 mm) of precipitation in a typical June.
Getting in to Clara Barton National Historic Site: fees and parking
Glen Echo Park and Clara Barton National Historic Site Parking has 267 parking spaces.
13 accessible spaces are marked at Glen Echo Park and Clara Barton National Historic Site Parking.
Official facts
The Forest Service rates the wildfire hazard potential at Clara Barton National Historic Site's mapped point very low (2023 map); that is a measure of the land, not a forecast.
For river levels near Clara Barton National Historic Site, the USGS gauge Potomac River Near Wash, DC Little Falls Pump Sta (01646500) posts live readings, 2.3 km away.
Public access: Restricted access.
Protected area: 8 acres (3 ha).
Designation: National Historic Site. Listed as "Clara Barton National Historic Site" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: no known protection mandate (GAP 4).
Established: 1974.
Managed by: NPS.
River or stream: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.
River or stream: Minnehaha Branch. Mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.
At the park
- Exhibits
Shows and experiences
- Historic sites & museum
Places to eat
- Domino's
- Glen Echo Pizza & Subs
- Kanpai Sushi
- Old Irish Inn
- Praline Café
Before you go
- Limits
- Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go
- ⚠ Park closure: Temporary Closure of Right Lane of Clara Barton Parkway
- Temporary Closure of the Clara Barton Parkway Right Lane at Site 17, wooded areas between C&O Canal and Lock 10 parking lot, north to Lock 14, required to address ongoing safety concerns from DC Water emergency sanitary sewer overflow & bypass and pipe repair operations. Click on "More" below for specifica details on the closure.
- 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.
History
- Heritage status
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places