Sledding is one such activity that will brighten your winter blues and help you to enjoy what mother nature has to offer. The good news is that there are tons of sledding hill options in and around the Washington DC area! Most of these places are just a short drive from you and are well worth the visit. So, instead of curling up in a blanket and binge-watching Netflix, grab your favorite sled and try out one of these amazing sledding spots!
1. Fort Reno Park
Location
3800 Donaldson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20018
Fort Reno Park is located 15 – 20 minutes northwest of downtown Washington DC. You can find the park in a square area between Chessepeake ST. NW, Belt Rd NW, Fessenden St. NW, and Nebraska Ave NW.
Cost
Free.
Hours
N/A
More Info
This is a killer place to go sledding! Aside from being a beautiful park and a great place to catch live music in the summertime, Fort Reno Park is also the highest natural point in Washing DC. Its geography is what makes it such a great place to go sledding.
The hill in this area is steep and moderately large. At the top of the hill, you will feel like you’re on top of the world. The ride to the bottom is thrilling and will for sure be entertaining.
Additional Things to Know
Fort Reno Park is in a prime location. It is only a block away from Tenleytown’s extensive commercial district. This means that you are only a block away from great restaurants and stores.
After you have had your fill of sledding, you can stop by one of the local cafes in the area and pick up some hot chocolate to warm yourself up.
2. Takoma Park Middle School
Location
7611 Piney Branch Rd, Silver Spring, MD
This wonderful sledding spot is located just across the state line in Maryland. You will find the sledding spot in the town of Silver Spring, which is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Washington and a 40-45 ride on the metro (also from the downtown area).
Cost
Free.
Hours
Most of the park around the school is open from 7 am – 8 pm. However, the sledding hill is just behind the school, therefore there are no official hours.
More Info
This sledding hill will not disappoint! In fact, many people consider this hill to be the best in the region (some even say the best in all of Washington DC and Maryland). You will find the sledding hill right behind the middle school. The Takoma Park Middle School hill is sufficiently large and is nice and steep.
One feature that many people like is that this hill is double-tiered, which makes it perfect for adults and children. As a bonus, there are even stairs that you can climb up to get back to the top of the hill. On your next snow day, this is one area you will not want to miss.
Additional Things to Know
Another great thing about Takoma hill is that it close to the metro and is therefore easy to access, even if you don’t have a car. One thing to keep in mind, especially if you are bringing the little ones with you, there are no bathrooms in this area.
The closest one would probably be up to the road in Peter’s Sub Shop.
3. Massanutten Resort
Location
1822 Resort Dr, McGaheysville, VA 22840
Massanutten Resort is located in southwestern Virginia in the town of McGaheysville. If you are coming from the DC area, it is about two and a half-hour drive. This tubing area is located near the beautiful Shenandoah National Park.
Cost
$25 for a two-hour session on Monday-Friday; and $30 for a two-hour session on Saturday and Sunday.
Hours
Open daily from 9 am to 10 pm. Tubing runs in two-hour sessions.
More Info
If you are looking to get out of the city into some fresh air, this is the place to go! This tubing area boasts a 900-foot hill with a 120 vertical foot drop. You are sure to enjoy your face-paced ride as you slide down one of sixteen groomed lanes.
The best part about Massanutten Tubing Resort is that you don’t have to worry about carting your tube back up the hill. The resort provides not one, but two conveyor lifts that’ll get you to the top of the hill in no time.
Additional Things to Know
This tubing park is super popular and they run through tickets like crazy. It is not uncommon for them to sell out. I would highly suggest reserving your tickets online ahead of time.
In addition to day sledding, Massanutten also offers night sledding or as they call it “Northern Lights Tubing.” This is an amazing opportunity to go tubing on a snow course that is lit up with brilliant lights. I highly recommend trying this out!
4. Rock Creek Park
Location
2401 N St NW, Washington, DC 20037
Not be confused with the large Rock Creek Park in the Crestwood area, this Rock Creek Park is a much smaller park located in the downtown part of town just a few blocks west of the DuPont Circle Metro station.
Cost
Free.
Hours
N/A
More Info
This is the place to be if crowds aren’t your thing. Rock Creek Park is quite secluded but offers a great chance to not only get away from the hustle and bustle of the city but also provides a decent sledding experience. The hill located in this sledding spot is moderately steep and is great for all ages!
Additional Things to Know
After you have gotten your fill of sledding, you can warm yourself up at Soho Tea & Coffee. This quirky cafe is minutes away from Rock Creek Park and is sure to cap off a great day of sledding.
5. Masonic National Memorial
Location
101 Callahan Dr, Alexandria, VA
This unique sledding spot is located 25 – 35 minutes south of the city in the suburbs of Alexandria. The memorial, temple, and sledding hill can be found off of King St.
Cost
Free.
Hours
The memorial and temple building is open from 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. I am not sure if the hours apply to the grounds as well.
More Info
The unique sledding spot is located on the hills surrounding the Masonic Temple and Memorial building. This ornate piece of architecture is located on a fairly large and steep hill. It offers great views and awesome sledding!
Much like Takoma Park Middle Shcool’s hill, this one is also multi-tiered. For this reason, it is a great spot to bring your kids (due to the variety of hill lengths to choose from).
Additional Things to Know
If you are driving to this sledding spot, be aware that there are 3 different parking lots to choose from. There is also a chance that you may have to pay for parking.
Once you are worn out by sledding, I suggest taking a tour of the Masonic National Memorial. You will be able to view the ornate halls in the interior of the building, a museum, and catch a stunning view from the observation deck.
6. Liberty Mountain Resort
Location
78 Country Club Trail, Fairfield, PA 17320
If you drive 75 miles north of the city on I-270 and Highway 15, you will find the scenic Libert Mountain resort. This tubing area is located in Fairfield Pennsylvania, just on the other side of the Pennsylvania/Maryland border.
Cost
Ticket prices vary and are sold upon arrival. Tickets can be purchased at Boulder Ridge, but not at the main resort ticket window. Sessions run from one hour to two hours. For more information visit the Liberty Mountain website.
Hours
Monday-Friday from 4 pm to 10 pm and Saturday-Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm.
More Info
If you are looking for an insanely fun and authentic tubing experience, Liberty Mountain has you covered! This tubing park is the closest one to DC and has everything you could ever want from a tubing park.
The tubing hill (called Boulder Ridge) has 15 lanes that are always groomed to perfection. The best part about Liberty Mountain is that you will rarely have to wait to slide down the hill. The tubing park is massive and has plenty of room for everyone.
Additional Things to Know
Liberty Mountain offers the convenient option of riding a shuttle bus from the parking to the tubing park, that way you don’t have to worry about walking there.
If you have little kids with you (ages 2-4), they can enjoy the mini tubing park at Pebble Ridge Kiddie Tubing area. It only costs $9 for an unlimited amount of rides at this park.
7. Book Hill Park
Location
1693 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
Book Hill Park is located in the Georgetown area which is 10 – 15 minutes west of downtown Washington. The park is right off of Wisconsin Ave NW.
Cost
Free.
Hours
N/A
More Info
This quaint park is located in a cluster of charming European-syle commercial rowhouses and fine art galleries.
The hill itself stands above the bustling streets and can be found just in back of the Georgetown Library. It is known for being steep and for giving a fast and exhilarating ride. You will not want to miss out on the great sledding spot!
Additional Things to Know
You can easily turn this small sledding excursion into a full day of sightseeing. The area that this sledding hill is located in is very interesting and unique.
There are loads of “cute” cafes and local eateries and boutique shops located around the sledding hill. If you get cold while sledding I suggest swinging by Corridor Coffee to warm yourself up. It is a cozy little coffee shop that is easy to walk to.
8. Meridian Hill Park
Location
16th St NW &, W St NW, Washington, DC 20009
This park is located almost in the heart of downtown. It is just under a mile away from downtown in the northern DC area.
Cost
Free.
Hours
Open from sunrise to sunset.
More Info
This sledding area was once the residence of President John Quincy Adams and during the civil war, it served as a place to house Union Troops.
Nowadays this property is used for picnics and most importantly sledding. The only downside to Meridian Hill Park is that you need a lot of snow in order to sled it. The reason for this is because you are actually sledding down the steps of Meridian Hill. This place is amazingly fun to sled.
Additional Things to Know
As with any sledding area, safety should come first. This is especially true for this sledding spot. Because you are sledding downstairs, you must be careful not to hit anything. Also, this hill is probably not the best one take your kids to.
9. Bryce Resort
Location
1982 Fairway Dr, Basye, VA 22810
Bryce Resort tubing area is about a two-hour drive from Washington DC. The resort is located in Basye, Virginia near Shenandoah Nation Park.
Cost
Tickets run from $20 to $27 depending on age.
Hours
Official hours are decided at the start of the season as well. For the most up-to-date information, visit the resort’s website.
More Info
Your sledding session at Bryce Resort will leave you wanting to come back for more. It may be a two-hour drive from DC but the drive is absolutely worth it. The tubing park offers a giant 800-foot hill with multiple tubing lanes.
In addition to that, you don’t have to waste your energy carting the tubes back up the hill. You can just ride the conveyor belt right up to the top.
Additional Things to Know
This is a great place for children to have some wintertime fun. Children, however, must be 36″ or taller and must be at least 4 years of age.
10. Battery Kemble Park
Location
3035 Chain Bridge Rd NW, Washington, DC 20016
This sledding spot/park is a 15-minute drive northwest of downtown DC in the Wesley Heights area. You will find the park right across from the Glover Archibold Park.
Cost
Free.
Hours
Open 24/7.
More Info
Battery Kemble Park is a local favorite among many in the DC area. It is also somewhat of a hidden gem because it is not accessible from the metro. This is the sledding spot to go to if you are trying to beat the crowds. It is a great family-friendly spot that features an amazing hill. If you haven’t already been here, it may just become one of your favorites!
Additional Things to Know
This park is also a great place to go if you enjoy American history. The park has remnants of a Civil War battery that held a parapet and 100-pound Parrot rifles.
11. Capitol Grounds
Location
First Street SE, Washington DC
I don’t have to do much explaining for you to know where this sledding area is located. You will find this sledding spot at the heart of DC in the National Mall area by the United States Capitol.
Cost
Free.
Hours
N/A
More Info
I can’t think of anything more American than sledding on Capitol Hill. This once off-limits sledding area is open for business (sledding business!). The hills aren’t anything to write home about, but the snow-covered U.S. Capitol is! This is probably the most scenic and unique sledding area on the list.
Additional Things to Know
Being that this sledding area is located in one of the most popular spots in America, there is a lot of things to do. The mall is jam-packed with historical sites, government buildings, and national monuments and museums. Your options of things to do after sledding are endless.
12. 1st Street SE
Location
First St SE Washington, DC
This sledding spot is located on First St. SE which is located just south of the mall.
Cost
Free.
Hours
N/A
More Info
To be completely honest, this isn’t the most ideal sledding spot, but tons of people tend to enjoy it every winter. The sledding spot is located on the inclined street of 1st Street in DC and offers a decent slide.
Additional Things to Know
This sledding spot is very dangerous, so be careful and watch out for cars.
13. Fort DuPont Park
Location
1900 Anacostia Drive SE Washington, DC 20020
Fort DuPont Park is 15-minutes east of downtown DC across the Anacostia River. You can also find it by typing in Fort Circle Park if you are using an online map.
Cost
Free.
Hours
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
More Info
Fort DuPont is a magnificent and large park that not only offers great sledding but is also a wonderful place to go sightseeing. This 400-acre park has some decent sledding areas that are perfect for the kiddos. This park is a great place to visit at any time of the year!
Visit Our Winter Sledding Gear Page Before Your Full Day of Sledding!
Additional Things to Know
After you are done sliding down the hills in this park, you should go ice skating at the Fort Dupont Ice Arena located in the northeast corner of the park. There are also 10-miles of hiking trails that are worth checking out. Be sure to bring your camera to this sledding spot. The park is beautiful!
For ALL THE BEST SLEDDING SPOTS in the Country, click here!
Related Content
Sledding is one of those activities that is too fun to miss out on. There have been many times that I have been invited to go sledding and have not been one hundred percent prepared for a full day of being out in the snow. So if you are thinking of turning down a fun-filled sledding session because of snow pants, think again! Try one of these wardrobe alternatives and go hit the hills.
Whether you are on a tight budget or you simply don’t own a sled, I’ve got you covered. There is no reason to miss out on a fun day of sledding because you lack a proper sled! Head out to a hill near you and try one of these amazing options today.