Theodore Roosevelt Island is a hidden gem in Washington D.C. It is not just a memorial or a monument, but an island filled with nature. In fact, the island is actually part of the US National Park Service.
Roosevelt Island
The island didn’t always look like its current condition. In the 1930s, architects transformed the land from overgrown farmland into what is today, a memorial to our 26th president. They designed the island to what they thought it originally looked like; woods, swamps, and uplands.
Trails
Today there are trails covering each of those areas. The Swamp Trail, which is the longest at 1.5 miles, passes through swamp and marshland. It consists of boardwalk and gravel and has a mixture of flat and hilly areas.
The Woods Trail is the shortest at 0.5 miles. It runs through the middle of the island and includes the memorial statue and fountains. The trail is gravel and hilly.
The third trail is the Upland Trail, which crosses the island. This trail is 0.75 miles long and loops around the former site of the Mason mansion.
Location
Theodore Roosevelt Island sits on the Arlington, Virginia side of the Potomac River. That being the case, it is actually still considered part of Washington D.C. The island is accessible by car, bicycle, or foot. If arriving by car you must take the northbound side of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. There is a good size parking lot with free parking. Arrive early if visiting on a weekend. We visited on a Saturday afternoon and had to wait about 10 minutes for a parking spot to open up. The closest Metro station, Rosslyn, is about a 10-15 minute walk away.
Coming with Kids
Kids will love exploring the area around the Memorial. There are lots of steps and fountains (run seasonally). You could get a stroller to the Memorial area if need be. I don’t recommend it though. The entire island is rocky with uneven trails. The Swamp Trail boardwalk is the only smooth area. That being said, we did see a lady with a motorized wheelchair making her way around the island. She had someone with her to help her over the steep and rocky areas.
There is one restroom on the island. It was not in the best condition during our visit. It also had a water fountain.
On our visit, we took the Woods Trail and the Swamp Trail. Our 3 kids did very well. They loved exploring different portions of the island. They even spotted a snake nest beside the boardwalk. At the north end of the Swamp Trail, you can even go right down to the river.
One word of caution, the Swamp Trail can get very wet and muddy on the west side of the island. When you first enter the island check the trail map for closures and detours. On the map, I posted above the red X’s show the closed part of the trail.
Theodore Roosevelt Island is a great place to explore if you are looking for something off the beaten path in Washington D.C. The island has trails suitable for the entire family. It is the perfect place to wander through nature away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
More off the beaten path
- National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial with Kids
- United States Air Force Memorial with Kids
- DCs National Building Museum with Kids
- Our Year in Washington, D.C.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own. I was not compensated for this post.
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