Theodore Roosevelt Island

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Theodore Roosevelt Island

Photo: SMU Central University Libraries · No restrictions · Wikimedia Commons

🥾 Hike · Arlington

1.5 hours · Free · No reservation needed

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 4.0
1–3 yrs
★ 4.0
3–5 yrs
★ 4.0
5–10 yrs
★ 4.0
  • 🚗
    About 30 min drive
    From Rockville · Parking: Free lot reachable only from the northbound GW Parkway, full after 10am on weekends; or Metro to Rosslyn and a 10-minute walk
  • 🍼
    Stroller-friendly
    Flat surfaces — bring the stroller
  • 🌳
    Lots of shade
    Good on cool days · Handles heat · Great on sunny days · Fine on cold days
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 1.5 hours
    Best seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter

A whole forested island in the middle of the Potomac, reached by a footbridge. The 1.5-mile loop includes a boardwalk through the marsh for turtles and herons, and the center of the island is a giant Roosevelt statue and a fountain plaza where kids can run. Planes bound for Reagan airport pass overhead nonstop.

💡 Tips
The Swamp Trail boardwalk is fine for strollers; the dirt sections get muddy after rain. No restrooms or drinking water on the island, so take care of that in the car first. Pairs well with the Georgetown waterfront for a half day.

What this place offers

✓free
✓boardwalk
✓marsh
✓woods
✓footbridge
✓plane watching
✓no restrooms

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Arlington

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

🌦️
Sat 10/17
Showers · 46–60°F · 51% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 43–63°F · 3% rain

Location

Arlington, Virginia

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