Roosevelt Island Loop

Start by parking at the main lot just off of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, across the pedestrian bridge from the island. The Mount Vernon Trail, a very nice paved bike path with great connectivity to other paths, also leads right past here, so, if you have a bike, ride it! It's no secret the D.C. traffic is terrible!Regardless of how you got yourself to the trailhead, cross the pedestrian bridge and hang a right onto Swamp Trail. Going straight would lead you to Teddy's statue, but I like to save that until the end. The trail is flat and easygoing with occasional views of the river and the swamp in the middle of the island... hence the name! Pop out to the observation deck and keep your eyes peeled for heron stalking minnows in the shallows. On the northeast corner of the island, you can make your way out to the river bank and get a great view of Georgetown and the Kennedy Center. At about a mile and a quarter, hang a left onto Woods Trail and follow it to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial. After spending some time checking that out, either head back across the bridge or continue to explore the other portions of trail on the island.

Known as Masons Island until the 1930s, this land was transformed from overgrown, neglected farmland into Theodore Roosevelt Island, a memorial to the United States' 26th president. Landscape architects designed a real forest that was intended to mimic the natural forest that used to cover the island. Today, trails meander through forested uplands and marshy bottomlands in honor of the legacy of a great outdoorsman and conservationist.