Home 12 National Parks to Explore In & Around Washington, DC Discover stunning landscapes, vital history and eye-catching wildlife at the dozens of National Park Service sites in and around the Washington, DC metro area. The nation’s capital and surrounding areas boast a diverse range of national parks, which of course includes the National Mall and its famous monuments and memorials in the heart of the District. In fact, the Trust for Public Land has proclaimed DC as the No. 1 big-city park system four years in a row. Any local adventurer knows that a visit to the Mall is essential, but don't miss out on other recreational gems in the city and nearby. 01 National Mall and Memorial Parks One of DC’s most popular attractions is in fact a national park. Within its impressive 140-plus acres, you can find America’s monuments to founding fathers, civil rights leaders and fallen soldiers, as well as magnificent museums with stunning collections of art and artifacts.America’s history will nev...
