Northwest DC
To Explore an Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Distance: Intersecting trails ranging from 0.4 to 1.3 miles
Photograph by Roger L. Wollenberg/Newscom.
Blocks from the Rosslyn Metro, this wooded oasis in the Potomac River offers three intersecting trails for walkers, ranging from 0.4 to 1.3 miles. The Swamp Trail ambles near the shore through placid marshes. The Upland and Woods trails cut through the middle and lead to a 21-foot statue of Theodore Roosevelt. Despite the proximity to DC—you’ll hear the hum of traffic and the occasional plane—you may spot a deer. Popular with runners, families, and dog walkers, the island (and its small parking lot, accessible from the northbound lanes of George Washington Memorial Parkway) get crowded on weekends; ideal visiting times are early morning and evening. For more, see nps.gov/this.
