Washington, DC
Capital Crescent Trail | Photo by Hung Tran
The easternmost endpoint for the Great American Rail-Trail begins in Washington, D.C., at the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Heading west through the National Mall, the route is hosted by trails featuring some of America’s most renowned landmarks and a portion of Rock Creek Park, the oldest urban park in the National Park Service. After traveling through historic Georgetown, the route in D.C. ends near Fletcher’s Cove, a well-known fishing and outdoor recreation area of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
The “Great American” Route Through D.C.
7.5
Total Miles7.5
Existing Miles0
Gap Miles100%
Complete![Great American Rail-Trail Route Assessment 2024 District of Columbia map](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GRT-RA-2024-District-of-Columbia.jpg)
![Economic Potential of DC graphic by RTC](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Economic-Potential-of-DC-graphic-by-RTC.jpeg)
Trails Along the Route
Click the links below to view full trail descriptions on TrailLink.com.
• National Mall Trails
• Rock Creek Park Trails
• K Street/Water Street Cycle Track
![Ian Mackay and his team depart on an adventure on the Great American Rail-Trail in the summer of 2022. | Photo by Anthony Le, courtesy RTC](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Ian-Mackay-and-his-team-depart-on-an-adventure-on-the-Great-American-Rail-Trail-in-the-summer-of-2022.-Photo-by-Anthony-Le-courtesy-RTC.jpeg)
![Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park | Photo by TrailLink user 7s5a692x35](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Chesapeake-Ohio-Canal-National-Historical-Park-Photo-by-TrailLink-user-7s5a692x35.jpeg)
![Capital Crescent Trail | Photo by TrailLink user carl.graziano2](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Capital-Crescent-Trail-Photo-by-TrailLink-user-carl.graziano2.jpeg)
![Capital Crescent Trail | Photo by TrailLink user carl.graziano](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Capital-Crescent-Trail-Photo-by-TrailLink-user-carl.graziano.jpeg)
![Capital Crescent Trail | Photo by Hung Tran](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Capital-Crescent-Trail-Photo-by-Hung-Tran.jpeg)
![Capital Crescent Trail | Photo by Hung Tran](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Capital-Crescent-Trail-Photo-by-Hung-Tran2.jpeg)
![Capital Crescent Trail | Photo by Hung Tran](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Capital-Crescent-Trail-Photo-by-Hung-Tran3.jpeg)
![Capital Crescent Trail | Photo by Milo Bateman](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Capital-Crescent-Trail-Photo-by-Milo-Bateman.jpeg)
Gateway Trail
Capital Crescent Trail
A start in the nation’s capital offers an exciting kickoff for such an epic and patriotic undertaking. The 11-mile Capital Crescent Trail begins in Georgetown, just a couple miles from the National Mall with such American treasures as the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Travelers roll out of the city and into Maryland largely under the cover of a pleasant tree canopy with beautiful glimpses of the Potomac River.
Route Reveal Celebration
Live from Washington, D.C., on the Capital Crescent Trail
![Great American Rail-Trail branded map (2022) by RTC](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Great-American-Rail-Trail-branded-map-2022-by-RTC-1024x628.jpeg)
Great American Rail-Trail Preferred Route
![](/wp-content/themes/ag-custom/img/trail_link.jpg)