"Theodore Roosevelt Island" by NPS Photo/Diana Bowen , public domain
Theodore Roosevelt Island
undefined - District of Columbia
Theodore Roosevelt Island is located in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The land is generally maintained as a natural park, with various trails and a memorial plaza featuring a statue of Roosevelt. No cars or bicycles are permitted on the island, which is reached by a footbridge from Arlington, Virginia, on the western bank of the Potomac.
Official Visitor Map of George Washington Memorial Parkway (MEMPKWY) in Virginia and District of Columbia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Detail Map of the Georgetown to Swains Lock section of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (NHP) in Washington D.C., Maryland and West Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Official Visitor Map of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (NHP) in Washington D.C., Maryland and West Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Map of the U.S. National Heritage Areas. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
https://www.nps.gov/this/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Roosevelt_Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island is located in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The land is generally maintained as a natural park, with various trails and a memorial plaza featuring a statue of Roosevelt. No cars or bicycles are permitted on the island, which is reached by a footbridge from Arlington, Virginia, on the western bank of the Potomac.
In the 1930s, landscape architects transformed Mason’s Island from neglected, overgrown farmland into Theodore Roosevelt Island, a memorial to America’s 26th president. They conceived a “real forest” designed to mimic the natural forest that once covered the island. Today miles of trails through wooded uplands and swampy bottomlands honor the legacy of a great outdoorsman and conservationist.
By Car: accessible from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, after Roosevelt Bridge, exit sign, turn right into the parking lot. Please note: park in a designated parking space, US Park Police regularly tickets drivers who park on the grass. By Metro: exit Rosslyn Metro station, walk toward Key Bridge, take short connecting trail downhill from the downstream side of the bridge, across the parkway, and into the parking lot for the island. By Bike: Mount Vernon Trail north end
Staute of Theodore Roosevelt
A bronze statue of Theodore Roosevelt standing and pointing.
Theodore Roosevelt memorial plaza on Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Theodore Roosevelt Island Trail
woodland trail in the shadow of tall trees
Hike the trails around the island
Ranger answers Question
Three people with Park Ranger at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial.
National Park Service Ranger discussing Theodore Roosevelt with visitors at his memorial.
Across Theodore Roosevelt Island Memorial Plaza
long stone plaza with statue of Theodore Roosevelt at end surround by the shadows of tall trees
Enjoy a hidden gem, an island oasis, in the busy Washington, D.C region.
Trail on Theodore Roosevelt Island
three people walking on wooden boardwalk under trees
Hike the trails throughout Theodore Roosevelt Island for a grand adventure.
Sense of Wilderness: New Perspectives on Theodore Roosevelt Island
Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. designed the memorial landscape of Theodore Roosevelt Island to evoke a sense of wilderness. In this wooded sanctuary, located on the Potomac River between the cities of Washington, DC and Rosslyn, Virginia, the park hosts multi-sensory nature walks that invite blind, visually impaired, and sighted visitors to explore the landscape through touch, sound, smell, and taste.
A blue sky is reflected in a marshy areas of calm water, surrounded by bright green trees.
Origin of the Teddy Bear
One of the world's most well-loved bears is part of the history surrounding President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.
Teddy Bear
The Bull Moose in Winter: Theodore Roosevelt and World War I
Roosevelt believed America should prepare for war. President Wilson wanted to keep America out of it.
Theodore Roosevelt, seated
National Park Getaway: Theodore Roosevelt Island
Amid the hustle and bustle of the nation's capital is a peaceful island of nature dedicated to the 26th president of the United States.
Statue of Theodore Roosevelt
Memorials for the Future
Memorials for the Future, is a competition that aims to rethink the way we develop and experience memorials in Washington, D.C.
Memorials for the Future Logo
Herbert Hoover's National Parks
Herbert Hoover is not thought of as one of our better presidents, but he made lasting contributions in the national parks he established. During Herbert Hoover's presidency from 1929 to 1933, the land designated for new national parks and monuments increased by 40 percent.
Sepia photo of Herbert Hoover standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Brood X Periodical Cicadas FAQ
Learn about the Brood X periodical cicadas that emerged in 2021 throughout the Mid-Atlantic U.S.
A perched periodical cicada with red eyes and orange wings
Forest Regeneration 2020
What is the future of our forests? A look at forest regeneration capacity in National Capital Area national parks based on 2020 monitoring data.
hand holding a leaflet on a white ash seedling
Flooding and Climate Change
Climate change has had a profound effect on the weather. In areas like DC which have been historically wet, changes in atmospheric temperature can lead to more severe storms and greater precipitation. Combined, these factors fuel other extreme weather events like flooding or landslides.
Loudoun Heights Split Rock View
Sea Level Rise in the DC Area
Learn about current and projected rates of sea level rise in the greater DC area, based on local water level data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
A tall white cylinder attached to a wooden pier with Hains Point in the background.
Beech Trees in the National Capital Area
American beech (Fagus grandifolia), the most common tree species in National Capital Area parks, is currently facing the emerging threat of Beech Leaf Disease (BLD).
A forest with healthy green leafed beech trees
Forest Regeneration 2021
The latest look at forest regeneration capacity in National Capital Area national parks based on monitoring data from 2021.
Green forest showing healthy understory of oak seedlings.
Ash Tree Update 2021
Emerald ash borer (EAB) has killed most of the 300,000 ash trees in National Capital Region parks since 2014. Fewer than 80,000 living ash trees remain. Some ash-dominated swamps transformed into shrublands as ash root systems re-sprouted after EAB attack. In dry habitats, EAB proved more quickly fatal.
A sunny swamp with dead tree trunks emerging from dense shrubs
Vines on Trees at Forest Edges
Learn how climbing vines affect tree growth and mortality in National Capital Region park forests. This material was originally presented in a 2016 resource brief.
Vines climb on trees at the forest edge at Rock Creek's Barnard Hill Park.
Civil Rights and the Civil War in the National Capital Area
The Civil War showed the cracks in the loosely held peace between the North and South. As the end of slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation established a reason for African Americans to join the fight, the stage was set for African American men to fight for their own freedom and rights as citizens of America.
An unidentified African American soldier sits with a leg crossed over the other for his portrait.
Forest Regeneration 2022
Tree seedlings and small saplings are still in short supply in National Capital Region national parks. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2022.
Sunlight filtering through a green forest with green seedlings covering most of the forest floor.
Ash Tree Update 2022
Emerald ash borer are still decimating ash trees in the National Capital Region. Read on for the latest look into the state of ash trees in our parks based on forest monitoring data.
Metallic emerald ash borer beetle atop a chewed leaf
Series: A Timeline of Resistance: The Perseverance of African Americans from the Revolutionary War to the Civil Rights Era
The story of African American’s fight for equality did not begin or end with the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. In the National Capital Area, dedicated activism and self-determination has been documented since the Revolutionary War through the present day. This series consists of six articles that outline distinct timelines of resistance and activism in the fight for freedom.
A young African American girl gazes at the camera holding a banner for the March on Washington
Forest Regeneration 2023
Tree seedlings and small saplings are slowly increasing in National Capital Region national parks. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2023.
Three people stand in a forest, smiling and pointing to a large tree trunk between them.
When Forests Come Down with a Bug: Forest Pests in the Greater DC Area
Beech leaf disease, emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, spongy moth, oak decline and oak wilt are all pests present in National Capital Region (NCR) park forests. Learn about their effects and spread based on NCR Inventory & Monitoring data, and get the heads up on elm zigzag sawfly and beech bark disease.
A black and red insect sits on a leaf.
Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System
To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation.
A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera.
Guide to the Harry T. Thompson Collection
This finding aid describes the Harry T. Thompson Collection, part of the National Capital Regional Office Museum Collection.
Harry T. Thompson
Connect with History on the Mount Vernon Trail
For an urban bike expedition in D.C., visit the Mount Vernon Trail! Plan ahead for many stops along the way to fully immerse yourself in the nation’s rich history!
A stone monolith with a biker next to it.
Native Grapes
Seven species of grapes are native to the National Capital Region. Learn how to tell them apart, where they grow, and how they benefit birds, bugs, and beasts alike.
Multiple clusters of grapes hang off of a leafy vine.