How long did the Continental Army's Valley Forge encampment last?

The Continental Army's Valley Forge encampment lasted six months.

George Washington's army entered the Pennsylvania encampment on December 19, 1777, and left on June 19, 1778. The site was about 18 miles northwest of Philadelphia, which British forces had captured during their campaign.

Valley Forge offered high ground, defensible terrain, and a position between the British army and important American supply areas. Approximately 12,000 people, including soldiers and camp followers, were associated with the encampment. Shortages of food, clothing, and medicine caused severe suffering, and nearly 2,000 soldiers died from disease and starvation during the winter.

Popular images often portray Valley Forge as a frozen wilderness. Historical evidence indicates that the winter was difficult but not continuously buried in snow; rain, illness, poor supplies, and inadequate clothing were major problems. In 1778, training under Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben helped improve the army's discipline and battlefield effectiveness.