Running routes in Washington, DC for visitors

Washington, DC offers several areas for running with different surfaces. The National Mall and the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail have paved, multi-use paths. For natural or gravel surfaces, options include the trails on Theodore Roosevelt Island, the C&O Canal towpath, and the fifteen miles of hiking trails at Great Falls Park.

Rock Creek Park is available for runs during daylight hours. Many locations have access to restrooms and drinking water, but it is useful to check maps and hours before you go. Some trails, like the Mount Vernon Trail, are accessible from Metro stations, while others, like the National Mall, have extensive paid and free parking.

National Mall

The National Mall provides a central location for running or walking. The area has over 1,400 metered parking spaces available daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a fee of $2.30 per hour. Payment is by card or mobile app. General parking is limited to a 3-hour maximum, though some lots allow up to 6 hours. Approximately 520 free parking spaces are located at Hains Point.

Mailing Address

1100 Ohio Drive SW Washington, DC 20242

Metered parking hours

Daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (including weekends and holidays, except December 25)

Metered parking cost

$2.30 per hour

Visitor parking

Available throughout the park, with metered and free options

On-street parking locations

Constitution Avenue NW between 15th Street NW and 23rd Street NW, Independence Avenue SW between 15th Street and Maine Avenue, Jefferson Drive SW, Madison Drive NW, Parkway Drive NW, West Basin Drive SW, and Ohio Drive at East and West Potomac Parks

Number of metered parking spaces

Over 1,400

Metered parking maximum duration (general)

3 hours (not renewable at the same location)

Metered parking maximum duration (specific lots)

6 hours for Parking Lots A, D and Ohio Drive, SW

Sources: Parking (nps.gov), Maps (nps.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.

Full notes: Running on the National Mall: official visitor facts

Rock Creek Park

Rock Creek Park is open to the public year-round during daylight hours. The park closes after dark, so any activity should be planned to finish before sunset.

Mailing address

3545 Williamsburg Lane NW Washington, DC 20008

Park open hours

year-round during daylight hours

Park closed hours

after dark

Source: Operating Hours & Seasons (nps.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.

Mount Vernon Trail

The Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile paved, multi-use path stretching from George Washington's Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island. It offers views of the Washington, D.C. skyline and connects to major Potomac River bridge crossings. The trail is open from 6 am to 10 pm, with commuters permitted to use it at any time.

Parking is available at most sites along the trail. The trail is also accessible from the Arlington Cemetery, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Rosslyn Metro stations. Restrooms and water fountains can be found along the route.

Type of trail

Multi-use trail

Trail endpoints

Stretches from George Washington's Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island

Links counties and city

Links Fairfax County and the City of Alexandria, to Arlington County and major Potomac River bridge crossings into the District of Columbia

Trail length

18 miles

Trail surface

Paved

Operating hours

Year-round from 6 am to 10 pm

Permit requirement

Commercial activities and activities by organized groups, including trail walks and runs, require a permit

Parking availability

Available at every site along the trail except Lady Bird Johnson Park and the Navy-Marine Memorial

Source: Mount Vernon Trail (nps.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.

Full notes: Mount Vernon Trail: Parking, access, and running info

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Theodore Roosevelt Island is an 88-acre wooded area with gravel and natural surface trails. Cars and bikes are not allowed on the island itself, which is reached by a pedestrian bridge from the parking lot. Some trail sections are steep and have uneven surfaces. A drinking fountain is located at the parking lot, and two more are on the island. Pets are permitted but must be on a leash no longer than six feet.

Type of place

memorial to Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States

Mailing Address

700 George Washington Memorial Parkway McLean, VA 22101

Trail surface types

gravel or natural surfaces such as dirt or rock

Trail difficulty

Some trail sections are steep and have uneven surfaces with exposed tree roots.

Parking lot location

off the northbound lanes of George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia between Roosevelt Bridge and Key Bridge

Standard parking spaces

100+ standard spaces

Comfort station location

at the south end of the island on the Woods Trail

Drinking fountain at parking lot

drinking fountain at the south end of the parking lot near the pedestrian bridge to the island

Sources: Theodore Roosevelt Island (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov), Accessibility (nps.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.

Full notes: Parking for Theodore Roosevelt Island trails

C&O Canal towpath

The C&O Canal towpath is a National Historical Park that begins in Georgetown. The path runs for 184.5 miles to Cumberland, Maryland. The Washington, DC section starts at mile 0. The towpath has numerous access points. Entrance fees are collected at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center entrance.

Type of place

National Historical Park

Location range

from Georgetown in Washington, DC to Cumberland in western Maryland

Washington, DC starting point

mile 0 in Georgetown near 29th St NW, south of M St, and runs alongside Canal Rd to the west

Total length

184.5 miles

Entrance fees

collected at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center entrance of the canal

Access points

numerous access points, no main entrance

Visitor centers

Several visitor centers are along the C&O Canal. Hours and seasons vary.

Sources: Directions (nps.gov), Basic Information (nps.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.

Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park in Virginia has fifteen miles of hiking trails with packed dirt and gravel surfaces. There are no paved trails in the park. The park is open daily from 7:00 a.m. until thirty minutes after sunset, but it is closed on December 25. Entrance payments are by credit or debit card only. Dogs are welcome on all trails but must be on a leash that is 6 feet or shorter.

Park location side

Great Falls Park on the Virginia Side

Mailing address

Great Falls Park c/o Turkey Run Park George Washington Memorial Parkway McLean, VA 22101

Total hiking trails length

Fifteen miles

Trail surface

Packed dirt and gravel, no paved trails

Park operating hours

Daily from 7:00 a.m. to thirty (30) minutes after sunset

Park closure

Closed on Christmas Day (December 25)

Entrance payment methods

Credit/debit cards or tap to pay only, no cash accepted

Annual pass acceptance

Great Falls Park annual pass also accepted at C&O Canal National Historical Park

Sources: Plan Your Visit (nps.gov), Hiking (nps.gov), Operating Hours & Seasons (nps.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.

Full notes: A Great Falls Park hike on the Virginia side

Before you go

• Check operating hours before you go. Some parks, like Rock Creek Park, are only open during daylight, while Great Falls Park closes 30 minutes after sunset.
• Confirm parking rules and payment methods. National Mall meters operate from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and Great Falls Park does not accept cash for entry.
• Be prepared for different trail surfaces. Routes can be paved, like the Mount Vernon Trail, or have uneven gravel and dirt paths, like on Theodore Roosevelt Island.
• Pets are permitted in some areas, such as Great Falls Park and Theodore Roosevelt Island, but must be on a leash of six feet or less.
• Some trails are designated as multi-use, so be aware that you will be sharing the path with other users.
• Organized group runs or walks on certain trails, including the Mount Vernon Trail, require a permit.

More cities: City running and hiking guides.