Hi folks.  Taking the wife up there to Wolf Trap to see Paul Simon Saturday night. Never been there.  The tickets say 8pm.  We plan to get there early and picnic on the lawn lawn seats.  What's the scoop on parking and best time to get there?  Is there any risk of not being able to park there if we arrive too close to 8PM?  Are any of you also going?  Might be fun to meet up there and say hey if so.

Thanks in advance.. 

Wolf Trap is a great venue!  And I'm going to share a secret with you.  The best place to park (if you don't mind a short walk) is not directly at the main Wolf Trap area (The Filene Center is the amphitheater where most concerts are held), but across Route 267 in the parking lot for The Barns at Wolf Trap (a smaller indoor venue mostly used in the winter).  There's a large, free parking lot at The Barns, and a pedestrian bridge over 267.  I always park at the Barns and then just make the 10 minute walk over to the main Wolf Trap area.  After the concert, I walk back to the Barns, and can easily exit and drive right onto 267.  When I've parked at the main area with the hordes, I've sometimes sat over an hour after the concert stuck in a mass of cars waiting for the gridlock to ease.  You'll find plenty of other people parking at the Barns and walking over (and it's a safe location to park and walk), but most people don't know about that option.

There are some nice walking trails near but outside the amphitheater too, so plenty of places to explore and picnic before the concert.  Wolf Trap also lets you bring in food and drinks from outside, which is pretty rare!  I'd recommend getting there at least an hour before 8 p.m. to relax and picnic.

Here's a map showing where I park and how you hike over to the main area.

OK, last was at Wolf Trap in the 90’s, at least five times a year, so my info is dated…

It is still a decent hike up hill from the lots across the road. And traffic is a bear getting out. If they let you head in that direction, maybe best to exit heading towards the Barns. I used to live in that direction, in town of Vienna. Edit: I think ignore this exit advice, since that takes you to Toll Road exit. Basically, expect to wait an hour in traffic, regardless. Unless you park at The Barns.

Get there early. There is a mad rush to stake out lawn spots at gate opening, so you’ll be doing infill seating.

Re umbrellas. Most concerts are packed in pretty tight on the lawn, so you won’t be making any friends. Not sure if umbrellas are even allowed. The people directly behind you will be staring at your umbrella. They won’t be happy. I’d suggest Gore Tex. If you encounter a thunderstorm or steady rain, you’ll be miserable and soaked, regardless.

On the positive side, Wolf Trap is one of the most magical places to see a show when the weather is good.

I saw some amazing shows there in the 90s. BB, Buddy Guy, Susan T in her early years, Johnny Lang, Lyle, Neville Bros, Pat Metheny, lots of the 90’s bands - Cracker, Gin Blossoms, Da Prez, many more. I’m sure more will come to mind.

I live less than 10 miles from Wolf Trap and have been going there for 40 years.  Saw Robert Plant and Alison Krause, and Daryl Hall/Elvis Costello there last summer. Another, closer place to park with good escapability is on the side of Trap road on Scott's map where the letter R is in the word Ranger.  Either side of Trap Rd in that vicinity should work and if you get to show an hour early there should be spots.  Also, if you have time and are early, you might be able to pull right up to ticket window area and drop your wife and stuff and then go back and park.  If you bring a lawn chair they make you sit at the far edges of the lawn.  If you're willing to sit on a cushion or a blanket you can sit much closer to the covered seats/stage.  Yes, bringing your own food and drinks is a big plus for this venue and saves mucho dinero.

How long are you in town?  I just got back from my winter stay in Utah last night.

crgildart wrote:

Hi folks.  Taking the wife up there to Wolf Trap to see Paul Simon Saturday night. Never been there.  The tickets say 8pm.  We plan to get there early and picnic on the lawn lawn seats.  What's the scoop on parking and best time to get there?  Is there any risk of not being able to park there if we arrive too close to 8PM?  Are any of you also going?  Might be fun to meet up there and say hey if so.

Thanks in advance.. 

 They offer free golf cart rides up the last hill to the entrance to the venue. We've used them sometimes.

crgildart wrote:

Thanks John.. pitch might be an issue.  Wife's got bad knees.  We were doing 2-3 miles trial walking 2-3 X a week with hills in play 4 years ago.  But she's been up and now back down 75 pounds since.  She looks great but she has problems with her knees climbing lots of stairs, like 2+ stories..  I guess if it's mostly uphill on the way in it's also downhill on the way out.  I guess we'll just go with the flow and if we get steered in to that parking we'll probably have to stop and take a 5 minute break midway to the venue.  I plan to get there right around 6, full 2 hours before showtime.  Don't mind waiting to get in to the venue after we park... and hike if needed.  

Thanks Jim. Golf cart option probably not needed but noted just in case.  We have stadium cushions.. They have a metal frame but sit flat on the ground or on rails 1" off the ground.. LIke you'd put on a stadium bench at a ball game.  No bid deal if they don't allow that as a "cushion" but they look very much like the ones they rent.. but have fold up arm rests .. We really don't care how close we sit.. Comfort>Proximity.. but they do sit way lower than even low beach chairs.  We're in Falls Church until Sunday morning.