Top rated National parks in Washington, United States to elevate your visit (Updated May, 2024)

Tidal Basin

Park

👍👍 I love this place, very beautiful. Great place to walk and take on all the beautiful sights.

4.90 (170 reviews) (~1.21 km from centre)

National Mall

Park

Washington Monument plus memorials to Lincoln, MLK, FDR, WWII & Vietnam vets along a grassy mall.

4.80 (136.1K reviews) (~0.84 km from centre)

Great Falls Park

Park

Boasting spectacular falls & rushing white water, this park offers picnic areas, trails & boating.

4.80 (11.7K reviews) (~21.96 km from centre)

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

National park

National park devoted to the performing arts, with orchestras & other events in 7,000-seat theater.

4.80 (4.1K reviews) (~20.44 km from centre)

Wolf Trap - Filene Center

Concert hall

Iconic, architectural outdoor concert amphitheater in a national park with covered & lawn seating.

4.80 (2.4K reviews) (~20.25 km from centre)

Washington Monument Grounds

National reserve

Outdoor theater & a friendship garden in parkland surrounding the landmark Washington Monument.

4.80 (443 reviews) (~0.8 km from centre)

Georgetown Waterfront Park

Park

Tranquil grassy area featuring a promenade for walking & biking, plus scenic views & overlooks.

4.70 (6.7K reviews) (~2.64 km from centre)

C&O Canal Lock 21

Historical landmark

👍👍 The lock is pretty cool, and there is a trail that you can take for as long as you want by the canal. There is a campsite as well.

4.70 (312 reviews) (~23.46 km from centre)

Cow Hoof Rock

Park

👍 Great place for hiking. 15 minutes walk from the parking lot. The rock is not the end of the trail. The water is still like 100 ft down the hill. The rock is just a nice place to stop and take pictures.

4.70 (78 reviews) (~20.31 km from centre)

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

Garden

Tranquil preserve with short trails including a boardwalk through a pond & marsh, plus picnic spots.

4.60 (2.2K reviews) (~8.54 km from centre)

Fort Washington Park

State park

Historic, early 19th-century battlements & war relics plus nature trails, fishing & picnicking.

4.60 (1.4K reviews) (~20.38 km from centre)

Glen Echo Park

Park

Managed by the Partnership for Arts & Culture, this park has kids camps, concerts, art shows & more.

4.60 (1.1K reviews) (~11.84 km from centre)

Glover Archbold Park

State park

Forest parkland offering miles of trails for runners & walkers through canopied trees.

4.60 (263 reviews) (~5.15 km from centre)

C&O Canal Lock 8

Historical landmark

👍 This area is so serene, it has the richest views of the Potomac and the C&O canal. Parking is easy and only a small walk down the stairs to the river .

4.60 (104 reviews) (~13.67 km from centre)