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Meridian Hill Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 3,417 Google reviews · Running trail in Washington, District of Columbia · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Meridian Hill Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Leafy city park offering a cascading fountain, statues & a tradition of Sunday drum circles.
What runners say about Meridian Hill Park
“(What are we doing DC, let them be beautiful) There were lots of very friendly people talking, walking their dogs, playing, and having picnics.”
“So many benches and shaded areas to sit and relax, even lil nook like places to read your book/kindle.”
“The beautiful cascading fountains, serene atmosphere, and lush greenery make it a peaceful haven for relaxation and picnics.”
Meridian Hill Park is, still, under construction. It's been years since this undertaking has begun. It's sad actually. The upper tier of the park is surprisingly run down. The midfields are bare of grass and muddy.
We went in late September while it was still pretty warm, but the water was turned off! We still enjoyed the green, and seeing the statues. The statues were pretty clean despite obvious attempts to graffiti.
Beautiful place. Water fountains. Lots of grass. Walk trails. Nice place to walk your dog(s) or ride your bike. So many benches and shaded areas to sit and relax, even lil nook like places to read your book/kindle.
The Park and the fountain are very old yet quite grand. It is cool to see them working and knowing the park and fountains mark Thomas Jefferson's original intent to create our own Prime Meridian running through the park, the White House and the Washington Monument! Too bad Jefferson could not push it through.
Trail conditions & character
“(What are we doing DC, let them be beautiful) There were lots of very friendly people talking, walking their dogs, playing, and having picnics.”
“Located just north of the White House, Meridian Hill Park (Malcolm X Park) is one of Washington, DC’s most beautiful hidden gems.”
“So many benches and shaded areas to sit and relax, even lil nook like places to read your book/kindle.”
“(What are we doing DC, let them be beautiful) There were lots of very friendly people talking, walking their dogs, playing, and having picnics.”
“The beautiful cascading fountains, serene atmosphere, and lush greenery make it a peaceful haven for relaxation and picnics.”
Plan your run at Meridian Hill Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenps.gov
- Phone+1 202-895-6000
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 am–12 am |
| Tuesday | 5 am–12 am |
| Wednesday | 5 am–12 am |
| Thursday | 5 am–12 am |
| Friday | 5 am–12 am |
| Saturday | 5 am–12 am |
| Sunday | 5 am–12 am |
Running trails near Washington
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
