Civil War Washington Forts: An Interpretive Hike of Civil War Defenses of Washington

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, Ford's Theatre leads an interpretive outdoor hike through the Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C. The program focuses on how the capital—surrounded by slave-holding states and Confederate sympathizers at the outbreak of the war—was protected by 68 forts hastily built in the summer of 1861. Participants will walk from Fort DeRussy to Fort Stevens, two surviving fortifications that remain part of the city's landscape today, while learning about the history and purpose of these defenses.

The hike is designed with educators in mind, though the structured details do not indicate an age restriction for other participants. It covers about two miles over both paved and unpaved paths, so sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. The program is free, and a school bus will bring hikers back to the starting point after the walk.

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location: Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20015, near the intersection of Military Road and Glover Road.

Cost: Free.

Format: Outdoor interpretive hike of approximately 2 miles over paved and unpaved paths, from Fort DeRussy to Fort Stevens.

Transportation: Free parking is available at Rock Creek Park Nature Center. A yellow school bus transports participants from Fort Stevens back to the Nature Center after the hike.

What to Bring: A water bottle, good walking or hiking shoes, and clothing appropriate for the weather.

Audience: The program appears geared toward educators, especially classroom teachers.

Professional Development: Classroom teachers may request a letter certifying 1 hour of professional development, along with a packet of resources to help turn the program into a field trip for students.

Registration: Registration is available through the event page; the listed price is not available, but the hike is described as free.

Note: This event is presented by Ford's Theatre and uses the historical context of Washington's 1861 fortification network to explore how the capital was defended during the Civil War.