Photo: olekinderhook, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
🌤 Weather at Fort Necessity National Battlefield by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24–69 °F | 52–79 °F | 27–71 °F | 15–39 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Chalk Hill 2 ENE, 2 mi away, elevation 1,980 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield near Farmington in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, is run by the National Park Service and is not part of Pennsylvania’s state park system. The NPS says the original two-acre battlefield site was once surrounded by a Pennsylvania state park of more than 300 acres. Entrance is free.
🏆 Washington’s only surrender — the 1754 battle that opened the French and Indian War
Fort Necessity National Battlefield preserves the site where a young George Washington and his troops fought French forces in the summer of 1754 and surrendered the small fort. The National Park Service calls it the only time Washington ever surrendered to an enemy. The confrontation was the prelude to the war England and France fought for control of North America, known here as the French and Indian War and around the world as the Seven Years’ War.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Farmington, Fayette County, PA |
| Operator | National Park Service |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Grounds | Daily, sunrise to sunset, year-round |
| Battle | 1754, George Washington’s only surrender |
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Washington really surrender here?
Yes. The National Park Service notes that the surrender at Fort Necessity in 1754 was the only time George Washington ever surrendered to an enemy.
Why was Fort Necessity important?
The NPS describes the 1754 confrontation as the prelude to the war fought by England and France for control of the North American continent, known in North America as the French and Indian War and around the world as the Seven Years’ War.
Is Fort Necessity a state park?
No. It is a national battlefield run by the National Park Service, and entrance is free. The NPS notes that a Pennsylvania state park of more than 300 acres once surrounded the original two-acre battlefield site.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Braddock Grave (a short drive away) or Ohiopyle State Park (a short drive away).
⚔️ Visit Fort Necessity
The 1754 battlefield of George Washington’s only surrender, run by the National Park Service.
Insider Tips
Plan extra time: The NPS suggests adding an hour to visit Braddock’s grave and the Jumonville Glen sites. Mount Washington Tavern: The tavern near the fort was built as a stagecoach stop on the National Road.
Why this page changed
Editor’s note (October 2026): This page used to be titled “Fort Necessity State Park”. The site is Fort Necessity National Battlefield, run by the National Park Service, so the page now uses that name. We removed details we could not confirm with the NPS, such as distances to nearby attractions and the wildlife list, and replaced the address with the one the NPS publishes.
Park Map
Plan your gear for Fort Necessity National Battlefield
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
