Are dogs allowed on The National Mall?

Yes, dogs are allowed on The National Mall but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike The National Mall?

No, The National Mall does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is The National Mall?

The National Mall is rated moderate. It is 5.0 miles long with 712 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See District of Columbia trail conditions

ModerateLoop

District of Columbia

The National Mall

Washington, District of Columbia

5.0 mi

Distance

712 ft

Elev. Gain

1h 43m

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Moderate

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

There are highlights for families on the National Mall. This itinerary is for families who have a short time in Washington, D.C., and want to maximize their time there. The tour has plenty to keep children occupied, with a few historical and political tidbits in between. It is supposed to last until lunch but if your child is into some of the attractions it could take longer. All attractions are free. This guide can be combined with a second itinerary.

From Wikipedia

The National Mall is a landscaped park near the downtown area of Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States. It contains and borders a number of museums of the Smithsonian Institution, art galleries, cultural institutions, and memorials, sculptures, and statues. It is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) of the United States Department of the Interior as part of the National Mall and Memorial Parks unit of the National Park System. The park receives approximately 24 million visitors each year. Designed by Pierre L'Enfant, the "Grand Avenue" or Mall was to be a democratic and egalitarian space—unlike palace gardens, such as those at Versailles in France, that were paid for by the people but reserved for the use of a privileged few.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:-6 ft

Max:23 ft

217 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Loop
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.