Fort Dupont

Scarlet Tanager: Photo by Peter Vankevich.Fort Dupont is the largest park that has grown around an individual fort in the Fort Circle Parks system. It is bounded on the south by Massachusetts and Alabama Avenues, on the west by Minnesota Avenue, and on the north by Ridge Road. Like most of its sibling parks, Fort Dupont Park consists mainly of upland forest, with some edge and scrubby areas. This park tends to be underbirded despite good habitat. It has a well-maintained trail system with easy public access.

What to see: Ovenbird, pine warbler, and scarlet tanager breed in the woods here. Check the shrubs around the fort for white-eyed vireos, indigo buntings, and blue grosbeaks.Hairy and pileated woodpeckers are year-round residents. Other birds seen here in migration have included black-billed cuckoo, Swainson's thrush, and most common warblers. See here for a Fort Circle Parks bird checklist.

By public transportation: The V7, V8, V9, and U2 buses run along the park on Minnesota Avenue on the west side of the park, and the A11 and M6 run near the park on Alabama Avenue on the east side of the park.

See map below or visit Google Maps for directions.