Renate 'Renny' Flanagan — Freelance Writer for Travel and Washington, DC Local Insider Tips

While the nation’s capital is well known for its monuments and Smithsonian museums, what many visitors don’t take advantage of is the wealth of outdoor activities that Washington, DC has to offer. The city offers outdoor amenities for runners and walkers, cyclists, and hikers. In 2025 the American College of Sports Medicine ranked Washington, DC the second Fittest City in America, with the number one spot belonging to neighboring city, Arlington, VA. Read on for ways to enjoy the great outdoors, of Washington, DC.

Scenic Running Trails Abound

Runners in DC can enjoy a waterfront run going along the Potomac River, savor in the serenity of Rock Creek Park, and take in the iconic monuments on the National Mall. Walk Score rates downtown Washington, DC as a 98 out of 100, earning it a “Walker’s Paradise” designation, meaning sidewalks are prevalent to give runners and walkers a safe place to walk protected from cars.

A Biker’s Delight

Washington, DC has over 150 miles of recreational trails and bike lanes according to the District Department of Transportation. In addition to the bike infrastructure immediately within the city, there are also major trail networks accessible from Washington, DC to enjoy mixed use trails.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, commonly referred to as the C&O, starts in Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood and spans the 184.5 miles to Cumberland, MD. Along the way, riders will pass the Maryland side of Great Falls. While visitors driving into the National Historic Park are required to purchase a pass to enter, cyclists entering on the C&O trail do not have to pay.

Bikes rental stations are available throughout the city through the Capital Bikeshare program. According to Capital Bikeshare there are over 8,000 bikes in over 800 stations in Washington, DC and the surrounding areas. Capital Bikeshare has its own app and also supports using the Lyft app for bike rental. Capital Bikeshare pricing options include passes for rides of 45 minute durations, or a $1 unlock fee and $0.15 per minute. For riders that want to go on longer rides, consider looking for bike rentals outside the Capital Bikeshare program for better pricing.

Hiking Spots in the City and Within a 30 Minute Drive

While Central Park in New York City gets all the fanfare, did you know that Washington, DC’s Rock Creek Park is 1,754 acres with over 32 miles of hiking trails and paths? Rock Creek Park is a great way to enjoy nature while in the heart of the city.

Great Falls is about a 30 minute drive from the city and can be viewed from the Virginia or Maryland side. Views from the Virginia side are more impressive, while the Maryland side has better hiking. Because of spotty cell phone reception at Great Falls it is better to drive your own car to get there since you may not be able to reliably request a rideshare vehicle to get out of the park.