Snow Day in DC: The City’s Best Spots for Snowy Fun

Snow Day DC: The City’s Best Spots for Snowy Fun

We all remember the thrill of waking up early to jump out of bed, peek out the window and turn on the news to check for snow closures.  When the name of your school rolled across the bottom of the screen, the only thing left to do was pull on your snow boots and revel in a day of unexpected freedom and snowy glory.  Snow is supposed to show up by the end of the year, and Jack Frost is meant to really step up his game by late January.  Make sure you have the best sledding spot near you on lockdown before that first precious snow day off from school or work rolls around.  

Rock Creek Park

Rock Creek Park is an oasis of calm, outdoor beauty any season of the year.  The magic of the park is only amplified when snow falls, creating a winter wonderland for sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or just generally having a blast getting frozen to the bone while playing in the snow.  The top of the hill where Calvert and 24th streets meet is renowned as prime sledding territory and P Street Beach at the intersection of 23rd and P streets offers slightly more secluded sledding.  If the slightly more refined snow day sports are your cup of tea, the park’s many trails provide plenty of terrain to keep cross country skiers and snowshoers busy. See the NPS website for more info about the park, pack your snow gear and go!

Fort Reno Park

Fort Reno Park in DC’s Tenleytown neighborhood is home to the highest altitude turf in the nation’s capital and promises plenty of downhill thrills to fill any snow day.  The historic site of the only Civil War battle to take place in the District of Columbia is now a summer concert series venue that spends the snowy months as a sledder’s paradise.  The park’s best slope is on the west side from the chain link fence near the water reservoir at the top down to the finish line near Belt Rd.

Capitol Hill

When snow covers Capitol Hill, sledding with a view it is!  The hill on The Hill is not as steep as some of the other snow play hot spots in the city, making it a good choice for little ones up for some slightly less high speed thrills, and for parents looking to capture snow photos of their tots with legendary DC views in the background.  Bring your sleds and tubes, a thermos of hot chocolate and accessories to make and decorate a snowman of your favorite politician.  And not to worry, this year it is now legal to sled down the Hill, thanks to the brilliant civil disobedience of a few brave children last year.

Fort Dupont Park

Fort Dupont Park in Southeast DC is a great choice for a full day of wintry fun.  The park offers plenty of sledding terrain as well as over ten miles of trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.  If you want to make a marathon of the winter-themed fun, start or end the day with a few laps at Fort Dupont Ice Arena, the city’s only indoor ice skating rink.  

Book Hill Park

The alluringly steep slope of Book Hill Park behind Georgetown Library has drawn daring sledders for years.  While the park does offer a fun downhill ride, make sure you have a solid stop strategy in hand to before hitting the road on Wisconsin Ave.  

Battery Kembel Park

In addition to a beautiful landscape and Civil War history, Battery Kembel Park in Northwest DC offers up family-friendly sledding and snow play.  The park has long-since been known as one of the city’s more prominent dog parks - feel free to bring your furry friend along for the ride!

Meridian Hill Park

Fingers crossed for enough snow to turn the legendary steps of Meridian Hill Park from stairs to slope this year!  The picturesque park between the Adams Morgan and U Street neighborhoods draws hopeful sledders whenever heavy snow makes the steps slidable.