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Outdoor Activity Dc – DC’s outdoor scene ranges from the rich Appalachian heritage of the Shenandoah Valley to the maritime tradition of the Chesapeake Bay, but many of Washington’s best outdoor activities are just a short drive from downtown.
Here, we highlight the things you can do in the hidden wilderness spots nestled between the bustling streets of DC and its inner suburbs. If you want to go further afield, you might also want to check out our Road Trips post.
Outdoor Activity Dc
There are many wonderful parks in the DMV that are well worth your time. Spring is the best time to tour, but you can find something interesting to see in any season.
Best Water Parks Near Washington Dc For Families
Within easy walking distance of the city center are the gardens of the Franciscan Monastery next to the Catholic University. For a traditional Asian garden, visit Meadowlark Gardens and Nature Center. If you’re looking for a unique colonial-era garden and are willing to drive an hour from suburban Virginia, Oatlands Plantation Gardens is your best bet.
Some of DC’s best outdoor activities are hidden gems. If you want to go where no one else goes, consider Mercer Lake, accessible from a suburban cul-de-sac.
With 35 national parks within easy reach and a high level of conservation by state and local governments, you can choose between easy hikes and extreme hikes. Check out our comprehensive DC Traveler’s Guide with driving directions to all the popular trails (and a few hidden gems) around the DMV.
Take the C&O Canal Trail for an easy ride along the Potomac River. The nearly 200-mile trail along the Potomac has a history dating back to George Washington and includes some of the most accessible wilderness in the DMV. None of the trails are too challenging for beginner riders, so it’s a great getaway for families.
Waterfront Activities To Do In Washington, Dc
A memorial bench on the new bike circuit in Fountainhead is dedicated to mountain bike legend Scott Scudamore.
Mountain biking around DC is surprisingly good. Read the DC Mountain Biker Guide for the best places to visit. My favorite is Fountainhead because it has long trails specially designed for different experience levels and the scenery is great. Wakefield is a bit closer and the trails are great, but the proximity to 495 is a drag.
Fountainhead Park on the Occoquan River Watershed is one of DC’s best outdoor activities. Long Harbor is popular with local fishermen on weekends, but it’s almost empty on weekdays.
I grew up fly fishing for trout in the Rocky Mountains, so I’m still adjusting to the Bass and Catfish scene around DC. But there are some good places to find brown trout and rainbows within 2 hours of DC (I recommend the Rapidan or the North Fork of the Thornton near Sperryville, VA). Be sure to get your trout stamp when you apply for your fishing license.
Free Things To Do: The Best Of Washington, Dc
If you don’t have time for a long drive, consider Burke Lake (good fishing along the dam) or one of the many access points along the Potomac Heritage Trail. Remember, you need a different license for Virginia, Maryland, and DC.
Some of the best activities in Washington can be found on area lakes. Fishing pier from the Brittle Lake boat ramp. Brittle Lake is a great place to learn to fish because it is constantly feeding on warm water fish.
It depends on the type of fish. In general, you are safe to eat almost any fish caught north of the District Line, above DC (so anywhere near or above the Chain Bridge is fine).
Toxicity levels (especially mercury and PCBs) change over time, so always check the latest Maryland Fish Advisory for warnings before you cast your line. For the Shenandoah River basin and lakes west of town, see the Virginia Fish Council. Virginia also offers a printable map of fishing tips. Bottom feeders such as Bass, Catfish, Crappie and Eel should be limited to once or twice a month.
Dc Area Hikes
Yes. Although the Potomac belongs to the state of Maryland up to the Virginia coast, the states have a reciprocal fishing agreement in which you can fish from both sides of the Potomac with a Virginia or Maryland license.
Don’t worry if you’re not into the pool! There are several great swimming holes open to the public near DC. My favorite is Cunningham Falls, about an hour northwest of DC. Cunningham offers mountain stream swimming (at the base of the falls) and a quiet lakeside beach that works well for early swimmers.
Poolsville, MD has a popular swimming hole near DC, as well as Black Rock Mill, which is close to the Schaeffer Farm mountain bike trail. The area is full of many outdoor events that won’t cost you a cent. Explore the best free outdoor activities in and around the city, from national parks to contemporary art on the National Mall.
It won’t be hard to find free outdoor activities in the US. From hiking, running, and biking trails like the Capital Crescent Trail to scenic spots like Rock Creek Park, there’s plenty to do outdoors in the nation’s capital. Check out the city’s best free outdoor activities below.
Fun Outdoor Activities In Washington, D.c.
DC’s ultimate outdoor mecca is the 4.4-square-mile Rock Creek Park, which includes plenty of trails for hiking, biking, and exploring. There’s more to enjoy in the park, including a nature center, hiking trails, horse stables, tennis courts, and historic Pierce Mill.
Grab your hiking boots and join bikers as they descend the C&O Canal Towpath, which follows the Potomac River 184.5 miles north from Georgetown to Cumberland County. Expect great videos along the way.
Stroll through the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden and see works by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Alexander Calder and Robert Indiana. The garden has a visitor area and a fountain that was turned into an ice rink last winter. The park has jazz in the garden on Friday evenings during the summer.
DC’s southeast pocket has seen significant development in recent years, including the new 20-mile Anacostia Riverwalk, a continuous trail that runs along both sides of the Anacostia River through the Capitol Riverfront and Anacostia neighborhoods. Jog, bike, or walk the 10- to 12-foot-wide trail that runs alongside the lively waterway.
Free Or Cheap Things To Do In Washington Dc
Theodore Roosevelt Island, accessible via a footbridge in George Memorial Park, pays tribute to the great conservationist. You’ll find nearly two miles of trails that wind through woodlands and wetlands, as well as a 17-foot statue of a historical figure. Along the trails, you’ll encounter beautiful views of the Potomac River.
Visit the Watergate Steps, located near the Arlington Memorial Bridge and close to the National Mall and Misty Bottom, and run up and down the famous stairs. Georgetown also has the famous steps of The Exorcist, best known for its inclusion in the 1973 DC-based horror classic.
Home to the popular Billy Goat Trail, Great Falls State Park is a great place to explore nature and is only 30 minutes from DC. The 800-acre scenic park features hiking trails, cascading rapids, and spectacular waterfalls. Although regular admission to Great Falls Park is usually $20 per car and $10 per person on foot or bike, admission to the park is free on Martin Luther King Day, the first day of National Park Week, National Public Lands. Day and Veterans Day (see the Great Falls website for more information).
Cultural Tourism DC showcases the nation’s capital’s incredible walkability during this week-long public tour program held each September. Walkingtown DC features more than 70 guided tours throughout the district that introduce participants to the city’s art, culture and history. Tours come in many varieties, from after-work happy hour soirées to longer weekend tours. Historians, licensed tour guides, community leaders, and business owners, among others, lead these tours that take you to popular and hidden gems throughout DC.
Norton Requests Permanent Closure Of Portion Of Beach Drive To Motor Vehicle Traffic To Encourage Outdoor Activities By D.c. Residents”
America’s favorite National Arboretum is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that the Tropical Conservatory and Exhibit Gallery of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is closed until further notice. The arboretum aims to increase the aesthetic, ecological and economic importance of landscape and decorative plants. The magnificent, 446-acre grounds make for an inspiring and visual visit at any time of the year.
About five miles northeast of Anacostia, you’ll find this natural wonder. Come and you can share the park with photographers, birders and even dog walkers. Enjoy the summer flowers that bloom from late May to September. Morning is the best time to see the famous water lilies and lotuses. Look for wildlife from October to March, when the lack of foliage makes it easier for eagles to bird. The best way to get there from Anacostia is via a rideshare app like Uber, by bike, or by the V2 Metrobus. Otherwise, take the Orange Line to the nearby Deanwood tube station. As the weather in Washington improves, it may finally be time to get out. Pick up
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