Alerts & Current Conditions

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Alerts

 

Valley Forge National Historical Park is located in Chester and Montgomery counties in southeastern Pennsylvania. Click the image to check the latest COVID-19 Community Levels on the CDC website.

Wearing a Mask at Valley Forge

The NPS has updated its masking guidance based on the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels tool, which helps communities decide what prevention steps to take. Masking requirements inside public buildings at Valley Forge depend on the COVID-19 Community Levels in Chester County and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Masks are optional if community levels are Medium or Low, but if community levels reach High, masks are required for everyone in all NPS buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

Masks are still required on all forms of enclosed public transportation, including trolley tours.

You are welcome to wear a mask even when they are not required. Additional details are available at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

 

What's Open and Closed at Valley Forge

What's Open:

• Roads, trails, grounds, and parking lots.

• The newly renovated visitor center and museum exhibits. The Visitor Center at Valley Forge and The Encampment Store are open 7 days a week, 9 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days.

• Park Theater. The 19-minute orientation film Determined to Persevere: The Valley Forge Encampment is shown on the hour and the half-hour from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily. Learn more here, or ask a ranger at the visitor center for details. The park's visitor orientation film can also be viewed online here.

• Washington's Headquarters. Washington's Headquarters is open daily, 10 AM to 5 PM.

• Historic Valley Forge Station. Exhibits in the train station are open Saturdays and Sundays only, 10 AM to 5 PM.

• Public restrooms in parking lots. Open restroom facilities include: Lower visitor center parking lot, Wayne's Woods picnic area parking lot, Artillery Park parking lot, Washington's Headquarters parking lot, Varnum's picnic area parking lot, Betzwood picnic area parking lot, and Wilson Road parking lot. Please be aware that these restrooms may be closed periodically for cleaning.

• Wayne's Woods picnic area.

• Varnum's picnic area.

• Betzwood picnic area.

Outdoor areas are accessible during normal park hours, from 7 AM to 30 minutes past sunset every day.

What's Closed:

• Varnum's Quarters.

• Some public programming. Suspended programs include some in-person educational and interpretive talks, tours, demonstrations, etc. Public programming will return to a normal schedule in a phased manner. Learn more about ranger-led programming at Valley Forge here.

 

Tips for Visiting the Park Safely

• Recreate Responsibly. Follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, and avoid crowding and high-risk outdoor activities.

• Park in Designated Locations. Vehicles parked illegally will be ticketed, and vehicles that block emergency vehicle access (such as on roads or in front of gates) will be towed.

• Plan to Pack Out Your Trash. In-park trash and recycling receptacles are limited.

• Practice Social Distancing. Wear a mask, avoid large groups, and stay 6 feet away from others. Cover your coughs and sneezes.

 

Map depicting the weekend road closure of North Outer Line Drive.

Weekend Closure of North Outer Line Drive

On Saturdays and Sundays, North Outer Line Drive may be temporarily closed to motor vehicles during periods of heavy recreational use. Please use an alternative route.