Montrose Park

In the north end of Georgetown is a large park that was once the estate of a ropemaker. He let neighbors picnic on his property and that legacy remains. The park became a public park in 1911. Today, it’s a large park with grassy areas with picnic tables, a playground, tennis courts and trails. One trail connects to those found in nearby Dumbarton Oaks Park, a public park behind Dumbarton Oaks Gardens.

This is a hidden gem in DC. The upper, street level of the park is a large open grassy space that includes a playground area and tennis courts. Walk back from the street through all of the this and the park turns much more natural and descends the steep forested hillside to Rock Creek. There are multiple paths down ranging from narrow footpaths to a gravel road. At the bottom is the dog beach. Many dog parents (and some people parents) come here to let their dogs swim in rock creek. The water is rapid but there is an eddy along the beach area to let small dogs swim. Bigger dogs will swim out into the current after balls and sticks. I personally only bring my dog here when it hasn’t rained heavily for at least a week and lightly for at least two days. This is because there are numerous sewage outflows into Rock Creek and its tributaries upstream of this spot. The bacterial counts in this waterway can be extremely dangerous after a storm. Even when it hasn’t rained recently the water is not considered safe for human swimming. I wade in with my pup but I am careful not to let any in my mouth and to wash my hands throughly afterwards. The pup also gets a full bath with shampoo after every visit. Despite all this it’s still my favorite place to take him in DC. He loves to run around without fear of running into traffic and explore the rocky hillsides and forest.

Great park for all humans, small and big and their canine companions. My kids love the playground, dated but great climbing and swings. Great ball chasing fields next to playground and the trails of Rock Creek Park directly below.

Usually, I try to characterize a park before I go... Toddler-friendly? Picnic-friendly? Bbq options? Kids playground? Walk-friendly? What about hiking? Montrose Park has almost everything! This is nice because you have options (even with kids). Occasionally we end up at playgrounds where there isn't anything else and the adults are all just hanging around with nothing to do. At Montrose Park, you can have one adult watch kids while the other goes for a real walk! There were a number of people at the playground when we went. All adults was masked, which we found reassuring since we have little kids who can't be vaccinated yet. There was a fence to contain little ones, which was nice. It's all street parking. We didn't, however, have trouble finding parking (10 am on Sunday). It's a beautiful neighborhood. I didn't bring a stroller and I wish I had. It's not a long walk to the playground FOR AN ADULT 🙂. I'd like to go back and explore the walking trails. They looked beautiful and inviting!

Love this park. Tennis courts, playground, lots of beautiful old trees and the best squirrels in DC

Idyllic hidden park. I just kind of wandered down a path and discovered it- there’s a charming map at the entrance explaining the features. My dog was in love with this place.

Helpful when needed the most around DC area but very dirty and needs to be cleaned I guess by the city..........Quite surrounding and good for dog walk. Residential homes across the streets. Parking is on the street and plenty of parking available at any time so no need to get worried about parking. Just google restroom near me and you can find this spot.

It is inconceivable that a kids playground doesn't have a battery of working bathrooms; supposedly there are two inside a little building, but the men's one is locked (I presume to intentionally avoid its use by the homeless who sleep in a nearby area of the park) and the women's one is backed up and in terrible condition. Also, the vegetation is overgrown and the surface is probe to become a huge muddy puddle. It's a pity, because the playground is in good shape and it has a great and cozy design, and it is on a very pretty and nice part of DC.