NPS PROGRAMMING AT GLEN ECHO PARK

To learn more about ranger-led programs and other National Park Service activities, please visit the NPS website.

Events

Clara Barton Symposium (Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Ballroom Back Room)

Clara Barton Symposium

When: Saturday, December 6, 2025, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

What: Georgetown University history students who participated in a Clara Barton focused course in the Fall of 2025 will share the results of their new research. They conducted this research as students and as volunteers for the National Park Service. A lead speaker will be followed by three panels of three student volunteers who will discuss their research and answer questions from the audience. The work of the student volunteers will help connect people to Clara Barton National Historic Site (NHS), a park-site that will soon benefit from a renovation project. If not already closed for renovation, the Clara Barton NHS which is adjacent to Glen Echo Park will be open before and after the symposium. Free parking is available for this free event and no reservations are needed. With questions please call 301-320-1410 or e-mail kevin_patti@nps. gov.

Where: Ballroom Back Room

Tours

Glen Echo Park Civil Rights and History Tour (Monthly, first Saturday of the month)

Glen Echo Park Civil Rights and History Tour
Monthly on the first Saturday of the month. 10:00am - 10:45am. Meeting at the Dentzel carousel. 

Who led the Civil Rights protests to desegregate Glen Echo Amusement Park in 1960? Which amusement park ride was a focal point of the protests? How did Glen Echo Park become part of the National Park System? Explore Glen Echo Park’s history on this 45-minute free walking tour and find out the answers to these questions and more! This 45-minute ranger-led tour starts at the Dentzel Carousel at 10:00am. No registration required.

National Parks Along The Potomac Hike (Monthly, second Saturday of the month)

National Parks Along The Potomac Hike
Monthly on the second Saturday of the month. 9:30am - 11:30am. Meeting at the Dentzel carousel. Please e-mail kevin_patti@nps.gov to register for this free program. You may also call, 301-320-1400, if you have any questions.

This two hour, four mile guided hike starts at the carousel in Glen Echo Park. We will walk through the park and uncover the story of what was once Washington’s premiere amusement park. Next, we will walk a downhill trail and cross over the C&O Canal where we will learn about African American canal worker, George Pointer. We will walk up-stream before crossing the canal again and ascending the hill to learn about the Union Arch Bridge, part of the Washington Aqueduct. Finally, we will stroll through the town of Glen Echo to Clara Barton National Historic Site where we will discover the history of the house and the story of its famous resident, the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton. Clara Barton NHS is adjacent to Glen Echo Park where the hike started.

This four mile circuit hike is for the physically fit walker. There is elevation change between MacArthur Blvd. and the C&O Canal. Some sections of unpaved trail are uneven with rocks and tree roots. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Ample parking is available in the main Glen Echo Park parking lot off Oxford Road.

Carousel Tour (Reservation Only)

Carousel Tour
By reservation only. Call 301-320-1400. At least 3 days advanced notice is required.  

Where are the carousel's "windows to the past?"  How many carousels are protected by the National Park Service?  Do you know the difference between a merry-go-round and a carousel?  Find out the answers to these questions and much more!  Meet at the carousel.

 

Park History Tour (Reservation Only)

Park History Tour
By reservation only. Call 301-320-1400. At least three days advanced notice is required.

How many people could swim in the Crystal Pool at one time?  How did Glen Echo become part of the National Park Service?  Explore Glen Echo Park's history on this tour and find out the answers to these questions and more.

Junior Ranger

Junior Ranger Programs

The National Park Service Junior Ranger program is an activity-based program offering young visitors the opportunity to become Junior Rangers, taking an oath to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their Junior Ranger story with friends and family.

Children interested in the Junior Ranger program at Glen Echo Park have several activity booklets they can complete to earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate. This free program is designeed for children ages 3-12 but people of all ages are welcome to participate.

Glen Echo Park has three Junior Ranger options, each available at the ranger station:

• Junior Ranger activity booklet, recommended for ages 7-12
• Lil' Junior Ranger booklet - this activity booklet is for ages 3-6 and contains age-appropriate activities, allowing even our youngest visitors the opportunity to earn a Glen Echo Park Junior Ranger badge.
• Civil Rights Junior Ranger booklet - this special edition activity booklet explores the Civil Rights story of Glen Echo Park. Completion of the activities within this booklet will earn kids a Glen Echo Park Civil Rights Junior Ranger badge.

Junior Ranger Swearing In Event (Monthly, first Saturday of the month)

Junior Ranger Swearing In Event
Monthly on the first Saturday of the month. 11:00am. Meeting at the Candy Corner 

Meet the ranger at the Candy Corner on the first Saturday of the month at 11:00am. to be sworn in as a junior ranger or to be issued any of the various junior ranger books from the north district of the George Washington Memorial Parkway

Videos

"Carousel 100th Anniversary: Glen Echo Park Dentzel Carousel Tour"

Check out this 22-minute presentation by NPS Ranger Kevin Patti to learn about the history of the Glen Echo Park Dentzel Carousel. Installed in the Park in 1921, the carousel is on the National Register of Historic Places. Thank you to Montgomery History for their collaboration on this project.