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Running trails in District of Columbia
23 trails across 1 city in District of Columbia, with the most in Washington — including 4 natural surface, 2 loops, 3 shaded, and 1 long enough for a 5-mile run. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the District of Columbia trails below.
Cities in District of Columbia
Every city and town in District of Columbia with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.
Notable running trails in District of Columbia
The District of Columbia trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-District of Columbia ranking →
East Potomac Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 5,082 reviews
Storied, 395-acre park with a golf course, fishing & picnic areas, plus tennis courts & ball fields.
Rock Creek Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 4,478 reviews
Urban oasis with hiking trails, tennis & golf, plus ranger-led wildlife programs.
Meridian Hill Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 3,417 reviews
Leafy city park offering a cascading fountain, statues & a tradition of Sunday drum circles.
Roosevelt lsland Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,222 reviews
This island boasting miles of wooded trails is a living memorial to President Theodore Roosevelt.
Kingman And Heritage Islands Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 305 reviews
Man-made island in the Anacostia River offering rustic trails & an annual bluegrass festival.
Glover Archbold Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 273 reviews
Forest parkland offering miles of trails for runners & walkers through canopied trees.
Rock Creek Trail Juniper Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 154 reviews
Dog-friendly, scenic park featuring well-kept trails for walking and hiking as well as a river and a beach.
Battery Kemble Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 147 reviews
This 1861 park has remnants of a Civil War battery that held a parapet & 100-pound Parrott rifles.
Oxon Run Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 85 reviews
Metropolitan Branch Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 40 reviews
City park for biking, walking, and enjoying works of art.
Kingman Island Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 40 reviews
Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail
4.1 ★★★★☆ 27 reviews
Klingle Road Trail head
4.9 ★★★★★ 11 reviews
Rock Creek Trail View
4.3 ★★★★☆ 4 reviews
No trails match those filters.
District of Columbia trails by surface
Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.
More ways to find a trail in District of Columbia
- Best running trails in District of Columbia — the state-wide ranking from runner reviews
- Loop trails — 2 in District of Columbia come back to the trailhead without backtracking
- Long-run trails (5+ miles) — 1 in District of Columbia are long enough for a proper long run
- Shaded trails — 3 in District of Columbia keep tree cover over the path for summer miles
- Lit trails — 1 in District of Columbia have lighting for pre-dawn and post-work runs
- Trails with restrooms — 5 in District of Columbia, and 4 with water fountains
- Trailhead parking — 13 in District of Columbia have parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly trails — 7 in District of Columbia you can run with a dog
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible — 2 in District of Columbia are smooth and wide enough
- Scenic trails — 12 in District of Columbia runners single out for the views
- Browse by surface — paved, crushed limestone, natural dirt or boardwalk
- All trail features — loops, shade, lighting, restrooms, mile markers and more
- Running trails by state — the rest of the country
- Trail-running guides — surfaces and your knees, loop vs out-and-back, trail etiquette, running before dawn
Trail features in District of Columbia
- Trails with Trailhead Parking
- Scenic Running Trails
- Quiet, Uncrowded Trails
- Dog-Friendly Running Trails
- Trails with Restrooms
- Hilly Trails & Hill Workouts
- Trails with Water Fountains
- Shaded Running Trails
- Stroller & Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
- Flat & Fast Running Trails
- Loop Trails (No Backtracking)