About Forest Glen Station
Forest Glen station opened on December 15, 1990, as part of the Red Line extension into deeper Montgomery County. The station is one of the most unusual in the entire WMATA system — not for its neighborhood, which is a quiet residential area along Georgia Avenue, but for its extraordinary engineering: the platform sits approximately 196 feet below street level, making it one of the two deepest stations in the Metro system.
At that depth, escalators were not a viable option. Instead, Forest Glen uses high-speed elevator towers to connect the street level and the platform. These elevators travel at high speed and reach the platform in approximately 25 seconds — a brief but notable ride that gives passengers a glimpse into the scale of the underground construction. There are no escalators at Forest Glen, period — the elevators are the only option for vertical movement.
The Forest Glen neighborhood above the station is a quiet, tree-lined residential community in the Forest Glen/Wheaton area of Montgomery County. The Georgia Avenue corridor above the station has restaurants, shops, and services catering to the local community. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is located nearby along Georgia Avenue.
Lines & Schedule
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Peak service (Mon–Fri 5–9:30am, 3–7pm): every 6 min. Off-peak and weekends: every 12 min. Last train ~11:30pm weekdays, ~1am Fri–Sat.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- There are NO escalators at Forest Glen — only high-speed elevators. Plan for the elevator ride (approximately 25 seconds, descending 196 feet). During peak hours, small queues can form at elevator banks. Allow an extra 2–3 minutes at Forest Glen compared to a typical Metro station.
- Because access is elevator-only, Forest Glen is completely inaccessible when elevators are out of service. Before travel, check WMATA's elevator status at wmata.com/elevators or via the MetroHero app. WMATA prioritizes elevator maintenance here precisely because it's the only access.
- The surface parking lot fills on weekday mornings. Arrive before 7:30 AM if driving. The lot is slightly less competitive than Wheaton or Glenmont but still fills consistently during the work week.
- Forest Glen is in Zone 4 — fares are among the highest in the system. Peak fares from here to downtown DC run approximately $4.00–$5.00 depending on destination. A SmarTrip card is essential; paper tickets add a significant surcharge.
Adjacent Stations on the Red Line
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Forest Glen Metro have no escalators?
Forest Glen station is approximately 196 feet below street level — too deep for escalators to be practical or cost-effective. At this depth, the engineering and maintenance cost of escalators would be prohibitive. WMATA instead installed high-speed elevator towers that drop riders from street level to the platform in approximately 25 seconds. This makes Forest Glen one of only two WMATA stations with no escalators at all.
How deep is Forest Glen Metro station?
The Forest Glen platform is approximately 196 feet (about 60 meters) below street level. This makes it one of the two deepest stations in the WMATA Metrorail system — comparable to Bethesda station. The depth is a result of the geology of the area, which required tunneling well below the water table and through challenging ground conditions.
What happens if the elevators are broken at Forest Glen?
If elevators are out of service at Forest Glen, the station cannot be used — there is no staircase or escalator alternative. WMATA will typically post staff to redirect riders to Silver Spring or Wheaton (the adjacent stations in both directions). Always check WMATA's elevator status before traveling if you plan to use Forest Glen, especially if mobility is a concern.
Is there parking at Forest Glen Metro?
Yes, Forest Glen has a WMATA surface parking lot. Daily parking is paid via SmarTrip card at the kiosk near the lot entrance. The lot fills on weekday mornings — arriving before 7:30 AM is recommended for guaranteed parking. Weekend parking is generally available without difficulty.