Accessibility

Theodore Roosevelt Island welcomes all visitors with disabilities.

This 88‑acre wooded island in the Potomac River is a memorial to Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. There are miles of unpaved foot trails through woodlands and a swamp. A memorial plaza is on a high point of the island.

Please note, none of the island’s trails or paths are paved.

 

 

A gradual ramp next to the accessible parking spaces connects to the sidewalk.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Parking

No cars or bikes are allowed on the island.

The parking lot is off the northbound lanes of George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia between Roosevelt Bridge and Key Bridge.

Accessible parking is on the south end of the parking lot closest to the pedestrian bridge to the island.

• 1 van accessible space with ramp to sidewalk
• 3 accessible parking spaces
• 100+ standard spaces

A wide concrete pedestrian bridge at the south end of the parking lot connects to the island.

See directions and transportation.

 

There are separate entrances to the men's and women's restrooms on the opposite side of the building as the drinking fountain.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Restrooms

There is a comfort station at the south end of the island on the Woods Trail. It is one third of a mile from the Memorial Plaza. The path to the comfort statin is a wide gravel trail, and there is a concrete sidewalk around the perimeter of the building.

Women’s Restroom

• 1 accessible stall
• 2 standard stalls

Men’s Restroom

• 1 accessible stall
• 1 standard stall
• 1 urinal

Please note there are no infant/child changing tables in these restrooms.

 

Don't forget to bring a reusable water bottle to fill up during your hike.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Drinking Fountains

There is a drinking fountain at the south end of the parking lot near the pedestrian bridge to the island.

There are two drinking fountains on the island.

• On the south side of the island next to the comfort station.
• On the north side of the island where the Swamp Trail and the Woods Trail meet.

Each fountain has two spouts at heights of 42 inches and 35 inches, a water bottle filler at 42 inches, and a pet bowl at the base of the fountain.

For water to flow, you must hold down the button for at least three seconds.

The drinking fountains are operational year-round but may be turned off intermittently for maintenance.

 

Once you cross the footbridge, turn right and follow the path uphill to the Memorial Plaza.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Memorial Plaza

The Memorial Plaza is about a quarter of a mile from the parking lot.

After crossing the concrete pedestrian bridge, a gravel path leads uphill to the Memorial Plaza.

• Surface: gravel with some small stones 1-to-1.5-inch size.
• Running slope: between 1% and 12%; about 200 feet is steeper than 9%.
• Width: 10 to 15 feet.

 

On the Memorial Plaza there is a statue of Theodore Roosevelt and engravings of quotes about the values he believed in.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

There are three 5-inch steps from the plaza path to reach the top of the plaza. You can use a series of metal ramps with handrails on the east side of the plaza to reach the top without steps.

Benches without backs or armrests are throughout Memorial Plaza.

 

Most trails on the island are wide gravel paths like this.

NPS / Laurel Brodsky

Trails

There are no paved trails on Roosevelt Island. Most paths are gravel or natural surfaces such as dirt or rock. Some trail sections are steep and have uneven surfaces with exposed tree roots. One section of the Swamp Trail has a wooden boardwalk without railings.

Due to weather conditions and river levels, trails may be muddy, slippery, and wet.

See our Trails page for descriptions of individual trails.

 

Ranger-Led Programs

See our calendar for upcoming programs. If you need accommodations to participate in a program, please contact us in advance of your visit.

American Sign Language Interpretation

To inquire about American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for ranger programs, contact us at least three weeks in advance of your visit.

 

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome on Roosevelt Island. They are legally permitted anywhere that visitors can go. See the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) definition of a service animal.

Pets are welcome on Roosevelt Island, but they must be restrained on a leash no longer than six feet long. Pets are not permitted on ranger-led programs.

Pet owners and service animal handlers are responsible for picking up their pet waste and disposing of it in a trash can.

 

Questions?

Please contact us for additional information or for help planning your visit.

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Voice: 703-289-2500