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Sledding in D.C.: The best locations, mapped

By Michelle Goldchain Updated
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By Michelle Goldchain Updated
1 comment / new
Photo via Shutterstock/FamVeld

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in March 2015 and has been updated with the most recent information.

From Alexandria, Virginia, to Silver Spring, Maryland, these are the best sledding locations in and around Washington, D.C.

Many of the best of the best sledding locations are unsurprisingly located in parks like Rock Creek Park and Meridian Hill Park. Some are also a little off the beaten path like 1st Street SE.

Regardless, if you're looking for the best sledding experience, you'll probably be more than happy to search out these locations. For now, sled on!

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Takoma Park Middle School

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Rather than leave out the commuters in Maryland, here is one of the best sledding locations in the state. At Takoma Park Middle School, you can find a terraced slope that is perfect for singles and families alike.
Photo via Google Maps

7611 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Fort Reno Park

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Located in Tenleytown, Fort Reno Park is the highest point in Washington, D.C. Feel like you're on top of the world before you slide down it.

3950 Chesapeake St NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Skye Marthaler

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Battery Kemble Park

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If you're avoiding crowds, the hill at Battery Kemble Park is guaranteed to be the spot for you. If you're avoiding driving to your sledding location, maybe not. There's no Metro stop near the park, so you'll have to find another means of transit.

Garfield Street Northwest & 49th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20007
Battery Kemble Park Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Geoff Livingston

Book Hill Park

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Be sure to check out the hill behind Georgetown Library for one of the steepest, most exciting hills in Northwest D.C.

1693 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
Photo via Google Street View

Rock Creek Park

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Only a few blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro station, Brightest Young Things guarantees that this secluded spot won't be too crowded.
Photo via John Bense

P St NW & 23rd St NW, Washington, D.C.
Rock Creek Park Photo via

Meridian Hill Park

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The steps of Meridian Hill are a great spot for sledding, but you're going to need a lot of snow to make sure wiping out won't result in injury.

2500 16th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 895-6000
(202) 895-6000
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

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The U.S. Capitol

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Unfortunately, there is no legal way to sled on Capitol grounds. Regardless, Congressmen like Eleanor Holmes Norton admit that it's a pretty choice spot. [UPDATE: Starting January 2016, sledding at the U.S. Capitol is now possible.]

East Capitol Street Northeast & First Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20004

1st Street SE

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This two-way street is perfectly inclined for some of the best street sledding in Washington, D.C. Definitely be careful, though, in case any cars pass through.
Photo via Google Street View

First Street Southeast, Washington, DC

Fort DuPont Park

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Fort DuPont Park is one of the largest parks in Washington, D.C., totaling 400-acres. Throughout the year, the park hosts picnics, concerts, and even sledding.

Fort Dupont Drive SE, Washington, D.C. 20019
Sledding Photo via Shutterstock/Romrodphoto

Masonic National Memorial

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For the commuters out there, here is a sledding spot that not only offers a great time, but a great view as well.

101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA 22301
Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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Takoma Park Middle School

7611 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Rather than leave out the commuters in Maryland, here is one of the best sledding locations in the state. At Takoma Park Middle School, you can find a terraced slope that is perfect for singles and families alike.
Photo via Google Maps

7611 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Fort Reno Park

3950 Chesapeake St NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Located in Tenleytown, Fort Reno Park is the highest point in Washington, D.C. Feel like you're on top of the world before you slide down it.

3950 Chesapeake St NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Skye Marthaler

Battery Kemble Park

Garfield Street Northwest & 49th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20007

If you're avoiding crowds, the hill at Battery Kemble Park is guaranteed to be the spot for you. If you're avoiding driving to your sledding location, maybe not. There's no Metro stop near the park, so you'll have to find another means of transit.

Garfield Street Northwest & 49th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20007
Battery Kemble Park Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Geoff Livingston

Book Hill Park

1693 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Be sure to check out the hill behind Georgetown Library for one of the steepest, most exciting hills in Northwest D.C.

1693 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
Photo via Google Street View

Rock Creek Park

P St NW & 23rd St NW, Washington, D.C.

Only a few blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro station, Brightest Young Things guarantees that this secluded spot won't be too crowded.
Photo via John Bense

P St NW & 23rd St NW, Washington, D.C.
Rock Creek Park Photo via

Meridian Hill Park

2500 16th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

The steps of Meridian Hill are a great spot for sledding, but you're going to need a lot of snow to make sure wiping out won't result in injury.

2500 16th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 895-6000
(202) 895-6000
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid

The U.S. Capitol

East Capitol Street Northeast & First Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20004

Unfortunately, there is no legal way to sled on Capitol grounds. Regardless, Congressmen like Eleanor Holmes Norton admit that it's a pretty choice spot. [UPDATE: Starting January 2016, sledding at the U.S. Capitol is now possible.]

East Capitol Street Northeast & First Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20004

1st Street SE

First Street Southeast, Washington, DC

This two-way street is perfectly inclined for some of the best street sledding in Washington, D.C. Definitely be careful, though, in case any cars pass through.
Photo via Google Street View

First Street Southeast, Washington, DC

Fort DuPont Park

Fort Dupont Drive SE, Washington, D.C. 20019

Fort DuPont Park is one of the largest parks in Washington, D.C., totaling 400-acres. Throughout the year, the park hosts picnics, concerts, and even sledding.

Fort Dupont Drive SE, Washington, D.C. 20019
Sledding Photo via Shutterstock/Romrodphoto

Masonic National Memorial

101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA 22301

For the commuters out there, here is a sledding spot that not only offers a great time, but a great view as well.

101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA 22301
Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images