fort frederick state park

From it's stout stone walls this fort guarded a pass and it's trail through the nearby mountains for over a hundred years. A glimpse into the past, you can see what it was like to stationed hereon America's frontier.

We started out in Greenbelt MD, on to the beltway then 270. Slowly the tree's color began to change, as well as the backdrop. Beautiful autumn colors and fields as far as the eye could see. Great conversations peppered with history lessons. Than off the exit that read Big Pool, MD. Down a windy lane a quick right into history. A Fort , A fort that protected the colonies from the French and Indians. Costumed re en actors more than eager to explain all aspects of the fort and daily life. When one of the "soldier's" ask if the group would like a lesson in using a musket we all called out "yes please!!!" Fort Frederick is small but what a wonderful piece of history. A family of four that meandered along with us brought a picnic and played football outside the walls of that fort. After you are done try theTowne of Fredrick for just browsing or food. '

This fort, fully rebuilt and restored, goes back to colonial times, prior to the American Revolution. George Washington passed through as a British officer. This fort was at one time on the frontier. It is a charming state park that is easily accessed from I 70 by car, by boat on the Potomac River or by foot from the C&O Canal National Park. It provides an excellent look at colonial life. Also many recreatioonal activities are available at the state and national parks. Beautiful any time of the year.

We have cycled to Fort Frederick many times from nearby Western Maryland Rail Trail. Really exciting to see how people lived in colonel time. Very enjoyable side trip!

It's hard to believe when visiting Ft. Frederick that this was a military installation that saw action in the Revolutionary, as well as Civil Wars. The setting is so peaceful and calm that a zen spirit rules the area.In the Summer months, you will be lucky to see docents in period dress that can give you plenty of the history of the place.A short hike away is the C n O Canal and Big Pool.

The exhibits inside the fort and been thoughtfully created to show what life in the fort would have been like. In addition the fort is staffed by guides in period costume who do a great job of bringing it to life - so much more interesting than reading sign-boards.

Visited on a Friday and the biggest surprise was how empty it was. Admission was $6 for an out of state car load! Inside the spectacular fort are 2 recreated buildings. There were several costumed guides who explained what life was like in the fort during colonial days. From the fort you can walk to the canal. There is a small nature museum (more of a shed where small children can explore exhibits). There is a camp store and souvenir shop that was closed for lunch while we were there. I would have loved to visit while an event or an encampment was occurring but even without, it was a pleasant visit.

We enjoyed visiting one of the last remaining stone forts constructed during the French and Indian war in this country.

Magnificent Fort Frederick is located within walking distance of the historic C&O Canal and the beautiful Potomac River, about 25 minutes to the east of Hagerstown, MD using Rte. 70. We visited the historic Fort on July 4th, 2014 to celebrate our nation's birthday and to enjoy the incredibly cool weather for early July in Maryland. The park's scenery was serene, the staff were warm and welcoming, and the re-enactments were educational and entertaining. This is a wonderful place for anyone to learn more about America's history while also enjoying a splendid hike along the historic canal or on one of the many scenic trails in the park. The park is seldom crowded because of its remote location. Parking is plentiful even on busier weekends. Remember to brink beverages and insect repellant in the warm weather.Very highly recommended for families, hikers or history buffs!

This is a small scenic fort. I like to visit every September when they fire the cannons. Don't bring anyone with Asthma or COPD. The black powder makes alot of smoke.

We usually visit on the weekends during the encampments/reenactments held around the fort & thoroughly enjoy visiting the grounds. The old barracks inside the fort contain history displays as well as rooms outfitted as they would have been during the 18th Century. We also usually walk down to see the Potomac River (about a 1/2 mile south of the fort) - a nice scenic walk along a mostly paved road. There is also a small gift shop/general store near the fort & a small but nice visitor center. Fort Frederick is a great place to bring the family!

This is an amazing point of interest for anyone of any age interested in American history. There is a stonewalled fort with reconstructed barracks that you can explore. The barracks are furnished as they would have been during different time periods. They even have period clothes for kids to dress up in. There are volunteers dressed in period clothing available to answer your questions and give historical information. They also showed how to make bullets and how to shoot a period gun. Our 10 year old son loved this stop as much as we did!

I have visited Fort Frederick on several occasions for their living history events. The fort itself is a great place to take pictures or just to walk around. There are so many opportunities during the year to see encampments of different reenactor groups from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. There is always something to see and learn at these events. I've had some marvelous conversations and taken lots of great pictures with the people there. The $3 fee per car is a real value.

I love the old stone fort at Fort Frederick State Park. It was built in the 1700s as a frontier fort, was abandoned after just a few years, then was owned by a former slave, was used as a farm, eventually fell into dis-repair, and finally, was rebuilt by the CCC in the 1930's and had buildings re-constructed in 1976 as part of the bicentennial.Today, the place is a nice, rare, stone fort that tells a special history. It is important while visiting, to see the displays in the side building, which show artifacts of the period of use, and of the CCC reconstruction time, and also to see the 10 minute video in the visitor's center.During the prime season, there is a docent in the fort for interpretive history and black powder rifle demonstration, and outside of prime, one can call ahead and coordinate a visit. For a small, $5 per car donation, a whole family or group may visit the fort.

We were on our way to Cumberland and stopped here for lunch because we saw the sign along the freeway.Our visit was on Labor Day.We picnicked in the shade near a playground - we did have to drive down a windy lane that was just barely big enough for maybe 1.5 cars. We never could tell if it was one way or not, we didn't see any signs. We just kept hoping we wouldn't see any other cars, and we didn't :) The forest where the picnic tables were was just lovely, there were restrooms nearby but it was buggy. I think that's just the season, but there you go.The fort itself is very cool. There were several costumed interpreters there - my son got to help make musket balls and we talked to a woman doing laundry. We heard a cannon go off later. There were lots of rooms in the fort decorated in period furniture, etc. You can climb up and look over the wall of the fort. I can't say it was crazy amazing - nothing compared to, for example, Fort Washington or Fort McHenry. There just weren't that many places to explore. But the history was interesting to my kids (it was built by the colonists) and my 8 and 10.5 year old boys are just happy anywhere that they can run around.Nice little store near the fort and we liked the very sparse CCC musuem - it was neat to see how it had looked at the turn of the century and how the fort was restored. We never did get to the visitor's center or down by the water, but everyone in my crew was glad we'd stopped by.