Top 10 Best Hikes Near D.C.
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Last updated March 20, 2024.
One of the great things about Washington, D.C. is that it’s a very outdoorsy and active city. Although there are wonderful walking trails and places to enjoy nature in D.C. proper, you may want to branch out a bit if you like a little more challenge or variety. Virginia and Maryland, and even West Virginia, are so close that it’s easy to find great hiking trails close by. Plus, these trails have more space to really enjoy the hike without a ton of other people around. So here are my top 10 best hikes near D.C.
Also, this post used to be a top 5 list, but I’ve been enjoying so many awesome hikes lately, that I had to expand it. If you are looking for a list of best hikes specifically on the Virginia or Maryland side of DC, stay tuned.
Helpful Tips: Here are a few helpful things to remember, whether you are a newbie hiker or an experienced pro.
- Make sure to check a trail or park’s website before visiting, for peak times, closures, etc.
- Choose less popular trails. The popular or well-known ones can be overrun, which may not be where you want to be.
- If you really want to hike a popular trail, go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
- Practice good hiking etiquette. Check out my How-To Guide for more.
With these tips in mind, you can still visit any of the best hikes near D.C., so enjoy!
1. Theodore Roosevelt Island
~Location: In the Potomac River, between D.C. and Virginia
~Trail Length: Varies, but the longest is 1.5 miles
~Parking: Small parking lot on George Washington Memorial Parkway in VA
~Highlights: Views of the Potomac River, Theodore Roosevelt statue, boardwalk
Theodore Roosevelt Island is technically located in the Potomac River, between D.C. and Virginia, but it’s address says D.C. This tiny island is one of the best hikes near D.C. since it’s such a wonderful spot to enjoy nature without having to go far away from the city. It used to be somewhat of a hidden gem, but has become more popular recently. So on a nice day, there will be lots of families and runners.
It’s definitely worth a visit to see the memorial to President Theodore Roosevelt and check out my personal favorite, the boardwalk. I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something about a boardwalk that people love! It’s a bit tricky to find, but if you take the Swamp Trail, you’ll get to it eventually. Theodore Roosevelt Island is also a great place to just relax and enjoy the day, since there are tons of places to sit and take in nature.
2. Potomac Heritage Trail
~Distance from D.C.: Varies, as it starts near Theodore Roosevelt Island and heads north along the Potomac River for 19 miles.
~Trail Length: 19 miles total
~Parking: Varies, based on where you join the trail
~Highlights: Views of the Potomac River, multiple parks along the way
I’m cheating a little bit with this trail, since it actually goes through more than one park that I’m going to recommend. But since the Potomac Heritage Trail is the connecting factor, I’m only counting it once on my list of best hikes near D.C. The trail starts in Arlington, Virginia and follows the Potomac River north almost to Scott’s Run Nature Preserve. These parks are all less popular than others nearby, making them nice places to get away from it all.
Some of my favorite parks along the trail include:
- Riverbend Park: Riverbend Park is lovely in the Spring when the bluebells are blooming, and they have boat, canoe and kayak rentals in the Summer.
- Seneca Regional Park: wonderful views of the river along with forest trails and horseback riding.
- Windy Run Park: the area of this park near the Potomac has a surprise waterfall. Be careful if you decide to climb the “steps” to the top and the actual park, as it’s steep and falling apart a bit.
- Donaldson Run Park: this park also features a waterfall, as well as numerous creek crossings, so wear the appropriate shoes.
3. Scott’s Run Nature Preserve
~Distance from D.C.: 12 miles northwest from D.C. in McLean, VA
~Trail Length: From 0.5 to 3.2 miles, depending on the trail.
~Parking: Two free parking lots along Georgetown Pike.
~Highlights: a waterfall, river views, and a scenic overlook
Scott’s Run Nature Preserve is another of the best hikes near D.C. and is in the same general area as Great Falls in Virginia. There are two main highlights, Scott’s Run Waterfall, that is a short hike away, only about half a mile, and Stubblefield Falls Overlook. The overlook takes more work to get to, but is worth it. If you want to see both in one day, the loops trail is 3.2 miles and stops by both. *Tip: Wear water-proof shoes, as the creek and river make things muddy a lot of the time.
4. Great Falls Park
~Distance from D.C.: About 17 miles (or 30 minutes) to either the Maryland or the Virginia side
~Trail Length: Varies widely.
~Parking: $20 per vehicle, or get an annual pass for $35 (America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is accepted here)
~Highlights: The falls (duh), people-watching, especially the rafters and rock climbers
Great Falls Park was the first spot I went hiking after moving to the D.C. area, so it holds a special place in my heart. The Virginia side is the one I go to most frequently, since it’s more convenient for me. But I finally made it to the Maryland side recently and have to admit, it’s pretty great too. If you want more in-depth information about each side, stay tuned for my Virginia and Maryland-specific posts coming soon. For now, I’ll break down the highlights of each side so you can choose which one works best for you.
Virginia side: If you’re going to Great Falls mainly to see the actual falls, Virginia is the way to go. There are 3 overlooks right by the parking lot to get the best views of the falls. And those views are definitely worth a look, as the falls are pretty magnificent. There are also more rock climbers/repellers on this side, which is cool to watch. The Virginia side also seems less crowded, which I prefer.
Maryland side: Although I don’t think the views of the falls are as good from the Maryland side, there is a unique feature that Virginia doesn’t have. You actually cross over part of the falls to get to a viewing platform farther over the river, which is pretty cool. The famed Billy Goat Trail is on this side also, which I highly recommend. The Maryland side has more challenging trails, so if you’re looking for a workout, choose MD.
5. Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
~Distance from D.C.: About 25 miles from D.C. in Lothian, MD.
~Trail Length: From 1 to 4 miles.
~Parking: $6 per vehicle. Large parking lot.
~Highlights: River views, marsh, boardwalk
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary is definitely a hidden gem near D.C. When doing my own research on trails near D.C., this never came up. My roommate actually found this and I’m so glad she did. Y’all already know from my earlier highlights of Theodore Roosevelt Island that I’m a sucker for a boardwalk. And Jug Bay has one of the best! I highly recommend you start your visit on the Marsh Boardwalk Trail, which is right by the Visitor Center. Although short and easy, it is stunning.
The Railroad Bed Trail is also worth the visit, since it has observation decks to watch for wildlife, as well as lovely views of the Patuxent River. The trails are also easy and flat, so this is a great spot for kids. If you want to take the whole day to explore the area, the Glendening Nature Preserve is also close by. This is on my list to visit soon!
6. Huntley Meadows Park
~Distance from D.C.: About 30 minutes from D.C. in Alexandria, VA
~Trail Length: The longest trail is 1.2 miles.
~Parking: A large free parking lot near the Visitor’s Center.
~Highlights: Wetlands, forest views, boardwalk
Huntley Meadows Park is another one of the best hikes near D.C. for wildlife viewing and, you guessed it, a boardwalk! Take the Heron Trail to get to the boardwalk. This is another easy trail, but is perfect for those who want to enjoy wildlife and nature views. The park also has a second location where the Historic Huntley Plantation is located. About a 10 minute drive from the park, Historic Huntley offers tours and other programs that may be of interest. Tours are indoor/outdoor and are $8 per adult.
7. Manassas National Battlefield Park
~Distance from D.C.: About 40 minutes in Manassas, VA
~Trail Length: Varies widely.
~Parking: Free. Lots of spaces and roadside parking.
~Highlights: Civil War history, meadows, picnic areas, horseback riding
Manassas National Battlefield Park is perfect for history buffs. During the Civil War, the First and Second Battles of Manasses (Bull Run) took place here. This is also the location where Stonewall Jackson got his nickname. If you’re interested in learning more, take the Henry Hill Loop Trail, which includes the Henry House, statue of Stonewall Jackson, and other historical markers and plaques. There are also historical reenactments throughout the year.
Even if you’re not into history, the park is great for hiking, picnicking, and horseback riding. My favorite trail is the First Manassas Trail, which takes you through forest, meadows, and offers many great spots for a picnic. The thing I like most about this park is how spread out it is. If you’re trying to social distance, it’s very easy to do so here.
8. Annapolis Rocks
~Distance from D.C.: An hour from D.C. in Myersville, MD.
~Trail Length: About 5 miles.
~Parking: Free. Since the lot is advertised as an Appalachian Trail spot, it fills up quickly.
~Highlights: Appalachian Trail, summit overlook
Annapolis Rocks is one of the best hikes near D.C. for a spectacular summit view. It’s also one of the more challenging hikes, and can be muddy after it rains. But it’s totally worth the effort to make it to the summit for spectacular views of Greenbrier Lake and Cumberland Valley. In the Fall, the foliage here is breathtaking, and it’s definitely worth a visit then.
The other thing I love about this trail is that it’s part of the Appalachian Trail. Although I don’t think I’ll ever hike the entire AT, I like to say I’ve hiked portions of it. So far, I’m able to say I’ve hiked the AT in Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. If you’re like me, and enjoy having that fun hiking accomplishment, definitely check out Annapolis Rocks.
9. Maryland Heights Overlook
~Distance from D.C.: About an hour and 15 minutes from D.C., near Harpers Ferry, WV
~Trail Length: 4.5 miles roundtrip
~Parking: The only parking available is in Harpers Ferry lower town, across the river
~Highlights: Overlook view of the town of Harpers Ferry, the Shenandoah River and the Potomac River
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is my favorite weekend getaway from D.C., and one of the main reasons is because of the Maryland Heights Overlook Trail. This trail is definitely moderate to challenging, but the view at the top is so worth it. It’s amazing to look down on where you began the day and have that sense of accomplishment of making it to the top. Plus, there are tons of rocks to scramble over and take a seat on once you make it. I could spend all day admiring the view, but I don’t because the town of Harpers Ferry is worth a visit too.
Although only an hour and 15 minutes away, I love to make a whole weekend of it because of how much I love Harpers Ferry. I won’t gush too much, since you can read all about it on my Harpers Ferry post, but trust me. It’s the perfect weekend trip if you love hiking. You can even get on part of the Appalachian Trail here!
10. Shenandoah National Park
~Distance from D.C.: the closest entrance in Front Royal, VA is about an hour and half from D.C.
~Trail Length: Varies widely, from 0.4 to 9.8 miles
~Parking: Many lots throughout the park. $30 entrance fee per vehicle. *Tip: if you are going to visit 3 national parks in a year, get the annual National Parks pass for $80.
~Highlights: waterfalls, overlooks, Skyline Drive in the Fall
The farthest hiking area from D.C. is Shenandoah National Park, but the northernmost entrance to the park is only an hour and a half away. Shenandoah is on my list of the best hikes near D.C. because there are tons of hiking trails in the park. There are so many that I’m going to include them all together in this section. For a list of all the hikes, check out the National Parks Service website. The trails are broken into the northern section, central section, and southern section, so plan according to which area you will be in.
A few of the most popular trails in Shenandoah are Stony Man and Old Rag (the hardest in the park). These are both located in the central section, which I actually haven’t gotten to yet. My favorite hike so far is Compton Peak, which is moderately difficult and takes you to an overlook with killer views. In the Fall especially, this hike, and pretty much any area in the park, is stunning. Tip: if visiting in the Fall, come early or on a weekday, as the park is packed.
If you are looking to get out of the city for a great hike and some time in nature, I hope my list of the top 10 best hikes near D.C. And let me know what your favorite hike is. I am always looking for new trails to explore!
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Cindy
I had no idea there were nature areas like these near DC! How amazing.
Erin
I was born in DC and grew up in Arlington and Springfield. This is a GREAT list!! People don’t even realize that there are such beautiful hikes so close to our nations capital! Thank you for sharing!! Blessings.