📷 NPS Photo, Public domainFort Necessity National Battlefield
Farmington, PA
A reconstructed round stockade where young George Washington fought his first battle and surrendered in July 1754, opening the French and Indian War. The site includes the Mount Washington Tavern on the National Road; free.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield is a National Park Service site near Farmington in the Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania. It commemorates the events that triggered the French and Indian War: on July 3, 1754, the then 22-year-old Colonel George Washington had to surrender the fort. According to Lonely Planet it was the first engagement of the war that ushered in British dominance in North America.
The original fort burned down; the small, simple structure was reconstructed in the 1930s. The site was also a stagecoach stop on what was to become the first federally funded highway in the United States. In the Interpretive and Education Center, interactive exhibits and a 20-minute film explain the significance of the battle. The park also includes the historic Mount Washington Tavern, a picnic area and hiking trails.
Check opening hours and admission in advance.
- Nearest town
- Farmington, PA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 39.8150, -79.5870
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Kentuck CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Fort Necessity National BattlefieldTentsCaravansElectricity
- Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™Campsite11 mi from Fort Necessity National BattlefieldTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- Mountain Pines CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Fort Necessity National BattlefieldTentsCaravansElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Lost Mountain CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Fort Necessity National BattlefieldCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Hickory Hollow CampgroundCampsite24 mi from Fort Necessity National BattlefieldTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Pioneer Lakes RV ParkCampsite25 mi from Fort Necessity National BattlefieldTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Pennsylvania · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Fort Necessity National Battlefield?
Fort Necessity National Battlefield is in Farmington, PA, at GPS 39.8150, -79.5870. It is about 5 mi from Laurel Caverns.
Can you camp near Fort Necessity National Battlefield?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Benner's Meadow Run Camping & Cabins, about 2 mi away; within 25 mi there are 21 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Fort Necessity National Battlefield?
Fort Necessity National Battlefield is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Laurel Highlands: Fort Necessity, Ohiopyle and Horseshoe Curve and Funiculars, flood history and a house over a waterfall – by camper from Pittsburgh through the Laurel Highlands.
What is there to see near Fort Necessity National Battlefield?
Places worth a stop nearby: Ohiopyle State Park (6 mi), Fallingwater (9 mi), Coopers Rock State Forest Overlook (15 mi) and Swallow Falls State Park (24 mi).
When is the best time to visit Fort Necessity National Battlefield?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)