Theodore Roosevelt Island

★5.0
Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington, D.C.

Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted

Wooded island sanctuary and memorial featuring scenic trails, a tidal marsh boardwalk, and a towering statue honoring America’s 26th president.

General Information

Hours:
Daily: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Restrooms closed October to April; portable toilet available during winter
Fees:
Admission is free
No reservations or tickets required
Pet Policy:
Pets are allowedes
Seasons:
All year; Spring and Fall recommended for mild weather and colorful foliage
Location:
George Washington Memorial Parkway, Washington, DC 20037
Website:
nps.gov

From Rosslyn Metro Station, walk west to Lynn Street, cross the Key Bridge access road, and follow the Mount Vernon Trail to the pedestrian bridge leading to the island.

Overview

Theodore Roosevelt Island is an 88.5-acre wooded island in the Potomac River just minutes from downtown, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. as a memorial to the 26th president, with a plaza holding a 17-foot bronze statue and four granite monoliths inscribed with his conservation ideals. It is free and open year-round, reached only by a footbridge from a parking lot off the northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway.

  • Swamp Trail: a popular 1.5-mile loop with a boardwalk section and overlooks
  • Two other main trails through the forest and marsh

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Theodore Roosevelt Island, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.

Tim Evanson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted