Valley Forge National Historical Park

Quick answers

Is there a nursing room or baby care at Valley Forge National Historical Park?

Mapped for this park: 3 changing tables. Details

When is the best time to visit Valley Forge National Historical Park?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, September, and October. Details

Where do you park?

The park lists nine parking areas with 974 spaces in all; the largest, Lower Visitor Center Parking Lot, has 397. Details

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, and monuments commemorating the resolve of the Revolutionary War generation and honoring the power of people to pull together, overcome adversity, and find renewal through transformation.

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed), Store / concessions, Visitor center.

Nursing and baby care

Mapped for this park: 3 changing tables.

• Delaware State Monument Changing table
• Visitor Center at Valley Forge Changing table
• Visitor Gateway - 50/250 Celebration Changing table

When is the best time to visit Valley Forge National Historical Park?

By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are April, September, and October.

The weather works against it in January, February, and December.

The warmest month is July, with average highs near 88°F (31°C); the coolest is January, near 41°F (5°C).

July is the wettest month, with about 4.6 in (117 mm) of precipitation in a typical July.

Typical weather, 1991-2020 (NOAA NCEI 30-year monthly normals). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (1991-2020 normals)

Getting in to Valley Forge National Historical Park: fees and parking

The park lists nine parking areas with 974 spaces in all; the largest, Lower Visitor Center Parking Lot, has 397.

35 accessible spaces are marked across seven parking areas.

Official facts

The Forest Service rates the wildfire hazard potential at Valley Forge National Historical Park's mapped point very low (2023 map); it rates the ground, not the weather.

The nearest live USGS river gauge to Valley Forge National Historical Park is Valley Creek At Pa Turnpike Br Near Valley Forge (01473169), 2.7 km away.

Public access: Restricted access.

Protected area: 3,123 acres (1,264 ha).

Designation: National Historical Park. Listed as "Valley Forge National Historical Park" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category III.

Established: 1976.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1 · U.S. Geological Survey, National Water Information System · Dillon, Gregory K. 2023. Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States (270-m), version 2023. 4th Edition. Forest Service Research Data Archive

At the park

• Bishop White Courtyard exhibit
• Bishop White Statue exhibit
• Bodo Otto Memorial exhibit
• Defenders' Gate exhibit
• Delaware Soldiers exhibit
• General Armstrong exhibit
• General Von Steuben Statue exhibit
• Georgia Memorial exhibit
• Huntington's Brigade Memorial exhibit
• Maxwell's Brigades Memorial exhibit
• McIntosh's Brigade exhibit
• New Jersey Memorial exhibit
• Nine North Carolina Regiments exhibit
• Patriots of African Descent Monument exhibit
• Rhode Island Regiments exhibit
• Site of the Marquee exhibit
• Stirling's Division Memorial exhibit
• Sullivan's Bridge Marker exhibit
• Varnum's Brigade Monument exhibit
• Visitor center exhibit
• Waterman Monument exhibit
• Varnum's Quarters exhibit
• Cannon scenic feature
• Nathanael Greene Monument scenic feature
• Sacrifice and Devotion scenic feature
• Wildflowers scenic feature
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Chapel Trail trail
• Joseph Plumb Martin Trail trail
• Valley Forge Fatlands Trail trail

Shows and experiences

• Declaration of Independence
• Todd Memorial Plaque
• Artillery Park
• Redoubt 3
• Star Redoubt
• redoubt 4
• Junior Ranger program

Events

• Art in the Park Outing - Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site Nov 22, 2026
• Art in the Park Outing - Artillery Park Dec 6, 2026

Before you go

Mobility

Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

Limits

Or that rollerblades, metal detectors, alcohol, and model rockets are forbidden?

Park alert: Maurice Stephens Parking Lot Closed During Construction Project

The parking lot near the Maurice Stephens house, located on Rt 23 opposite from the Washington Memorial Chapel, is closed during construction and renovation work on the house. Visitors are encouraged to park in the Chapel lot for Grand Parade trail access

Park alert: County Line Road Closed Monday To Friday

County Line Road is closed during the week, from Monday through Friday. The closure will apply to all vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. Please find an alternate route.

Park alert: Isaac Potts House (Washington's Headquarters) Closed For Restoration

The Isaac Potts House (Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge) is temporarily closed for a restoration project. The Washington's Headquarters area, including the Valley Forge Train Station and exhibits, Commander-In-Chief's Guard Huts, and George Washington statue, remains open and accessible during regular operating hours. Learn more about the restoration project at the link below.

Getting there

The park is conveniently located off of U.S. Route 422. The main entrance to the park is at the intersection of State Route 23 and North Gulph Road. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, take Exit 326. From Interstate I-76, take Route 422 West to Route 23 West/Valley Forge. From State Route 252, take State Route 23 East.

Weather & when to go

Winters at Valley Forge are cold and damp with a cool spring and fall and a hot and humid summer. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended for outdoor recreation during the snowy winter season. Find more detailed weather information on the Weather page.

Visitor center

Artillery Park

Visitor center

Artillery Park

Visitor center

Betzwood Picnic Area

Visitor center

Butler's Brigade Monument

Visitor center

Delaware State Monument

Visitor center

Delaware State Monument

Visitor center

Friedrich von Steuben Statue

Visitor center

Georgia State Monument

Visitor center

Glover's Brigade Monument

Visitor center

Hartley's Brigade Monument

Visitor center

Huntington's Brigade Monument

Visitor center

Learned's Brigade Monument

Facilities on the park map

18 benches, 3 changing tables, 3 defibrillators, 4 first aid kits, 2 mobility rentals, 10 picnic areas, 47 restrooms, 73 visitor information, 18 water fountains.

History

Opened

1976

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status

Operated by

National Park Service

Named after

Valley Forge

Heritage designation

National Register of Historic Places listed place (from 1966)

• Designated National Register of Historic Places listed place — 1966-10-15
• Park opened

Parks nearby

• Six Flags Great Adventure Theme park · 53 mi
• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Protected park · 84 mi
• Gateway National Recreation Area Protected park · 87 mi
• Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens Protected park · 114 mi
• National Mall and Memorial Parks Protected park · 119 mi
• Clara Barton National Historic Site Protected park · 119 mi

Distances are in a straight line.