Mount Vernon Trail
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Length
18 miles
Route
Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island
Managed by
National Park Service
Best for
Walking, running and cycling
The Mount Vernon Trail follows the Potomac River through Northern Virginia, from George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Fairfax County to Theodore Roosevelt Island near Arlington. Its paved, multi-use route connects waterfront landscapes and historic sites with views across the river toward Washington, D.C.[1]
Walk, run or ride a section for a shorter outing, or use the trail as a longer point-to-point route. It is also a regional transportation link, so expect to share it with commuters and other visitors; check the National Park Service’s current trail information before setting out for access, hours, facilities or temporary changes.[2]
Plan a trip to Mount Vernon Trail
Why visit the Mount Vernon Trail?
The trail brings together several kinds of Northern Virginia outing: a riverside ride, a run with skyline views, a walk to a historic site, or a route between neighborhoods and destinations. Its Potomac-side setting offers changing views of the river and the nation’s capital, while trail access points make it possible to explore a portion rather than tackle the full route.[3]
It is also a way to encounter the landscape and commemorative history of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The trail runs beside a route created to connect the capital with Washington’s Mount Vernon, with markers and historic places along the way.
Start here
Choose an endpoint or a convenient access point, then plan a distance that suits your day. The Mount Vernon end makes a natural pairing with a visit to the estate; the northern end connects with Theodore Roosevelt Island and the Arlington waterfront. Between them, trail access offers options for shorter walks and rides.
Before you go, check the official NPS trail page and map for current conditions, access, facilities and any closures or detours. The trail is shared by cyclists, runners, walkers and skaters, and popular sections can be busy. Keep right, be alert at crossings and congested spots, and make space when stopping.[4]
What to see and do
Follow the Potomac
Walk, run or cycle beside the river, taking in views toward Washington, D.C. and the changing shoreline along the route.
Explore the northern end
At Theodore Roosevelt Island, leave your bike at the racks and explore the island’s walking paths and memorial.
Pause at trail-side landmarks
The route passes near Arlington-area memorials and sites, including the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and the Netherlands Carillon.
Discover Alexandria’s waterfront
Use the trail to reach Old Town Alexandria, where museums, shops and historic streets make a rewarding break or destination.
Look for history along the southern route
Historic plaques and markers along the southern George Washington Memorial Parkway connect the landscape to the road’s commemorative purpose.
History and significance
The National Park Service constructed the Mount Vernon Trail in 1973, along the Potomac and parallel to the George Washington Memorial Parkway. What began as a small fitness path grew into a major shared route for recreation and transportation. Today the trail links Fairfax County and Alexandria with Arlington and bridge crossings into Washington, D.C.[5][6]
The parkway’s southern roadway opened in 1932 as the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, during the bicentennial year of George Washington’s birth. Its commemorative purpose shaped a scenic connection between the nation’s capital and Mount Vernon. Plaques and markers along the southern route preserve parts of that story, including the highway’s construction and the memorial plantings made in Washington’s honor.[7]
Planning a visit
The NPS describes the route as an 18-mile paved, multi-use trail. It is used by pedestrians and cyclists and also serves runners and skaters. The NPS lists regular public hours as 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with commuter use permitted at other times; check the current official page before visiting in case details have changed.[8]
The NPS trail map identifies facilities such as restrooms, water fountains and trash cans. Parking is available at trail sites except Lady Bird Johnson Park and the Navy-Marine Memorial, according to the NPS visitor page. Nearby Metro stations include Arlington Cemetery, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Rosslyn. Confirm current directions, parking arrangements and facilities before relying on them for your trip.[9]
Share the path courteously: keep right, yield to slower users, slow down near intersections and congestion, and move off the trail when stopped. The NPS also advises keeping pets on a leash no longer than six feet and observing the posted 15 mph speed limit. Check current NPS rules and safety guidance before setting out.[10]
Nearby attractions
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Visit Washington’s historic home and estate at the southern end of the trail.
Alexandria
Explore Old Town’s historic district, waterfront, museums and shops.
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
A historic house and estate near Arlington National Cemetery and the trail’s northern stretches.
George Washington Memorial Parkway
A scenic National Park Service roadway linking historic and recreational places along the Potomac.
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References
- ↑ Mount Vernon Trail, National Park Service, George Washington Memorial Parkway. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mount Vernon Trail Mile 0, National Park Service. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mount Vernon Trail, National Park Service, George Washington Memorial Parkway. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mount Vernon Trail Mile 0, National Park Service. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mount Vernon Trail Mile 0, National Park Service. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mount Vernon Trail, National Park Service, George Washington Memorial Parkway. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Historic Plaques along the southern end of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, National Park Service, George Washington Memorial Parkway. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mount Vernon Trail, National Park Service, George Washington Memorial Parkway. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mount Vernon Trail, National Park Service, George Washington Memorial Parkway. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mount Vernon Trail Mile 0, National Park Service. Retrieved October 23, 2026.