“Winter at Valley Forge tested not just the bones, but the very spirit of a nation.”
In the depths of one of the harshest winters during the American Revolution, George Washington’s Continental Army endured bitter cold, starvation and betrayal that threatened to snuff out the fledgling nation’s fight for freedom. Among these snowy woods and rugged hills, raw determination and unlikely heroes emerged to forge the backbone of America’s revolution.
Valley Forge National Historical Park stands as a powerful reminder of resilience and hope, a place where soldiers huddled in crude cabins, where legends like General Peter “Devil Pete” Muhlenberg brought a dramatic spark, and where the bonds holding the colonies were tested in frost and fire. If you love history alive with epic stories of courage, this Valley Forge tour offers a one-of-a-kind chance to relive those critical days at your own pace, behind the wheel and immersed in rich audio narratives.
With Valley Forge National Historical Park Self-Guided Driving Tour, your phone becomes a historian and companion, triggering location-based storytelling automatically as you explore the key sites. From the visitor center’s central redoubts to memorials dedicated to steadfast states like Maine and New Jersey, to the National Memorial Arch that honors enduring sacrifice, each stop reveals layers of a struggle that shaped the nation.
Feel the gritty presence of General “Mad Anthony” Wayne and the ingenious spirit of Henry Knox, a powder expert turned artillery commander. Hear about desertion waves and the stabilizing influence of the Oneida tribe’s aid, ponder Friedrich von Steuben’s transformative military drills that whipped raw militias into a formidable force, and stand before the Patriots of African Descent Monument honoring the first Black regiment in U.S. military history. This drive is less a tour and more a journey into history’s heart, all woven seamlessly into your self-guided adventure.
History’s Sidekick
Warning: This Valley Forge tour may inspire historic daydreaming, sudden patriotism, and uncontrollable curiosity for colonial tales. Results may include a full camera roll and an intense urge to share stories that shaped a nation, so maybe have a friend handy to listen.
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Nearby Tours
Driving
42
1- 2 Hours
Walking
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Walking
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Walking
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Walking
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Valley Forge Map
Where To Start?
Starting Point Address: Visitor Center At Valley Forge, 1000 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If multiple versions or entry points are available for your tour, be sure to download all the audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are currently not supported; we’re working toward a solution with Apple.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome - Valley Forge Visitor Center
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Muhlenberg Brigade
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Maine Memorial
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General Wayne Statue
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Knox's Quarters (Henry Knox)
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Delaware Memorial
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Commander in Chief's Guard Huts
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Washington's Headquarters
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New Jersey Brigade Memorial
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Artillery Park
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Varnum's Quarters
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Patriots of African Descent Monument (Enslaved Soldiers)
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Philander Chase Knox Estate
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Valley Forge Train Station
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Washington Memorial Chapel
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Washington Memorial Cemetery
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Maurice Stevens House
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Port Kennedy Railroad Station
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
As seen on any Valley Forge Park tour, the George Washington Monument commemorates the extraordinary skill and leadership ability displayed by General Washington during the six months he and his troops spent at the Valley Forge encampment.
While the original buildings and shelters of the encampment at Valley Forge are gone, the structures you’ll see on your Valley Forge Park tour have been faithfully recreated so you can see exactly what the camp looked like.
As you’ll hear on the Valley Forge Park tour, George Washington and the Continental Army camped at Valley Forge from December 1777 to June 1778. This period proved to be vital to the success of the American Revolution.
There are a few reasons, but the most important is its proximity to Philadelphia, which was a highly valued strategic location during the war.
A Valley Forge park tour is a great way for families, tourists, or anyone interested in history to spend a day.
Our self-guided Valley Forge park tour should take you between two and three hours, although you’re encouraged to set your own pace. However, if you’re planning on seeing all the exhibits and really taking your time, you can expect to spend five or six hours really exploring everything.
The short answer is yes, you can take your pet on your Valley Forge park tour. However, the park does have a few rules for animals that you’ll have to follow.
Explore 200+ Tours
Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically via GPS, hands‑free. Assistance available all day via call, chat, or email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Tours are valid forever.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Enjoy a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated videos, text guides, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations for any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
