About this Location

Facility Overview

The Forest Glen Metro Kiss & Ride is a dedicated surface parking and passenger drop-off facility serving the Forest Glen Metro Station on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Red Line. Located at 2199 Forest Glen Road in Silver Spring, Maryland, this open-air parking lot features well-demarcated bays designed for short-term pick-ups, drop-offs, and convenient metered commuter parking. Because the facility is entirely at ground level without overhead structural decks, it boasts unrestricted vertical clearance. This makes it fully accessible to standard sedans, large SUVs, full-size pickup trucks, and high-roof transit vans that cannot enter standard height-restricted multi-story parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically positioned near the intersection of Georgia Avenue (MD-97) and Forest Glen Road, the lot serves as an indispensable transportation hub for local residents and visitors to nearby institutions. Key destinations within immediate walking distance or a short drive include:

Holy Cross Hospital: Located just 0.3 miles east along Forest Glen Road, reachable in approximately 6 to 8 minutes on foot, making this lot a viable transit link for healthcare visitors and staff.
Forest Glen Metro Station: Steps from the lot, providing rapid Red Line subway access. Notable for being the deepest transit station in North America (196 feet underground), accessed via dedicated high-speed elevators.
General Getty Neighborhood Park: Situated less than half a mile away, offering green walking paths, playgrounds, and recreational courts.
National Museum of Health and Medicine: Located approximately 1 mile away on the Forest Glen Annex military installation.
Downtown Silver Spring & Wheaton: Major retail, dining, and entertainment corridors located just two stops south and one stop north on the Red Line, respectively.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicular ingress and egress are positioned directly off Forest Glen Road, with immediate access to Georgia Avenue (MD-97) and Interstate 495 (the Capital Beltway, Exit 31), situated less than half a mile north. Internal circulation operates via a smooth one-way loop with dedicated passenger loading bays, short-term metered stalls, and clear directional pavement arrows to prevent congestion during morning and evening rush hours. Commuters connecting to public transit can step directly from the lot onto WMATA Red Line trains or board Montgomery County Ride On bus routes (such as Routes 2, 4, and 37) and Metrobus services along Georgia Avenue.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Lot: Expansive sky clearance accommodates taller commercial vehicles, conversion vans, and utility trucks without ceiling clearance restrictions.
Digital Payment Integration: Easy mobile payment handling via the ParkMobile app (Zone 9024) alongside traditional on-site multi-space payment terminals and SmarTrip compatibility.
Accessibility (ADA): Designated van-accessible ADA parking stalls positioned closest to the station elevator pavilion and sidewalk ramps.
Passenger Loading Zone: Dedicated Kiss & Ride curb space allowing seamless vehicle idling for quick passenger drop-offs and pick-ups.
Safety & Visibility: Well-lit premises with overhead illumination, emergency call boxes, and routine patrols by the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD).
Bicycle Facilities: On-site bike racks and secure storage lockers for multi-modal commuters.

Ideal For

Daily DC Commuters: Suburban drivers heading into Downtown Washington, Bethesda, or Silver Spring looking to avoid Beltway and city center traffic gridlock.
Holy Cross Hospital Visitors: Outpatients and hospital guests seeking alternate regional transit and parking options within walking distance.
Rideshare & Commuter Pick-ups: Drivers meeting arriving Metro passengers directly at the station pavilion.
High-Profile Vehicle Drivers: Contractors and drivers of taller vehicles needing open-air parking without height limitations.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Spaces in this lot are limited compared to large parking decks at nearby Glenmont or Silver Spring stations, so drivers needing all-day metered parking should aim to arrive before the peak morning rush (prior to 7:45 AM). If you are simply dropping off or picking up a passenger, utilize the designated loading lane rather than parking in a metered space. Always verify meter enforcement hours and rate changes via the ParkMobile app before leaving your vehicle unattended. For weekend travel, WMATA parking is generally free at Metro-operated facilities, making it an economical jumping-off point for exploring the National Mall and downtown D.C. museums.