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Roosevelt lsland Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,222 Google reviews · Running trail in Washington, District of Columbia · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Roosevelt lsland 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.
This island boasting miles of wooded trails is a living memorial to President Theodore Roosevelt.
What runners say about Roosevelt lsland Park
“The trail is well-maintained and includes resting benches at intervals, which are great if you need a break.”
“An easy hike (extremely easy) in a beautiful Island; Potomac River, Kennedy Center, Rosslyn, you can touch them, you can feel them, yet, very calm and pleasant Island to walk.”
“The trail forms a complete loop and is perfect for hiking, walking, or running.”
“An easy hike (extremely easy) in a beautiful Island; Potomac River, Kennedy Center, Rosslyn, you can touch them, you can feel them, yet, very calm and pleasant Island to walk.”
“An easy hike (extremely easy) in a beautiful Island; Potomac River, Kennedy Center, Rosslyn, you can touch them, you can feel them, yet, very calm and pleasant Island to walk.”
Parking is free. Restroom is available at the porta potty at the start of the pedestrian bridge. The park has 3 looping trails of different lengths that interconnect with each other so that you can walk/run/bike on a different route on each loop.
I recently hiked this beautiful and peaceful trail, and it was an amazing experience. The trail forms a complete loop and is perfect for hiking, walking, or running. For most of the way, it runs alongside water, adding to the serene atmosphere.
It is a small island park between DC and Virginia, with plenty of trees, and it's beautiful depending on the season. The island contains a statue of the former president, Theodore Roosevelt, at the park's center. Although the park is relatively small, it offers hiking trails and can be an excellent place for a hike.
Roosevelt island is amazing. You access it from the mt Vernon trail in VA by crossing a pedestrian bridge. There is a large parking lot off the gw parkway to access the bridge - or you can bike/walk/run there. There are various trails around the perimeter of the island, just a bit over a mile around.
Trail conditions & character
“An easy hike (extremely easy) in a beautiful Island; Potomac River, Kennedy Center, Rosslyn, you can touch them, you can feel them, yet, very calm and pleasant Island to walk.”
“There are bathrooms off the main trail to the right after you get off the bridge.”
“Feels like it's outside of the city with both wooded and swampy trails while still close to the Smithsonian Mall.”
“There is a large parking lot off the gw parkway to access the bridge - or you can bike/walk/run there.”
“5 mile loop walk which is easy and includes a boardwalk along a marsh.”
“The park has 3 looping trails of different lengths that interconnect with each other so that you can walk/run/bike on a different route on each loop.”
“It is peaceful, not very touristy, and perfect for a nice walk, and the view of Manhattan is breathtaking, especially in the evening.”
“Very clean, restrooms and water fountains on site.”
“There are 2 beach areas where dogs can probably take a quick dip in summer.”
“Trails can be muddy after a rain, so dress accordingly.”
“The trails are very flat and easy, with few small hills.”
Plan your run at Roosevelt lsland Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- 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
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitenps.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
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