East Potomac Park

What to know

East Potomac Park is a sprawling 330-acre recreational oasis situated on a man-made island in the Potomac River. The land was originally part of the shallow Potomac River Flats, which were mostly underwater and only exposed as muddy flats during low tide before the late 1800s. This area was reclaimed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the late nineteenth century and formally declared a public park in 1897 by an Act of Congress to provide city residents with a dedicated recreational space. Today, the park is part of the East and West Potomac Parks Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can explore the landscape via Ohio Drive, a constructed one-way roadway that defines the park's layout. The park's natural beauty is highlighted by famous cherry trees that extend all the way to Hains Point, where the Potomac River, Washington Channel, and Anacostia River converge. Beyond its natural scenery, the park hosts the East Potomac Golf Links. This facility includes an 18-hole course, two 9-hole courses, a driving range, and the Potomac Grille. Notably, it is home to the oldest continuously operating miniature golf course in the country, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For those arriving by water, the park features a publicly accessible day dock on the Washington Channel. This floating dock is the only public access point for boaters within the park, allowing visitors to transition from the river to the island's green spaces.

Visitor tips

• The park is free to visit and open during daylight hours year-round.
• Use the DC Circulator National Mall Route for the most convenient public transit access.
• If visiting the miniature golf course, note that the last tee time is at 7 PM.

Nearby context

Located southeast of the Jefferson Memorial and the 14th Street Bridge, the park serves as a green buffer between the Washington Channel and the Potomac River, providing a quiet escape from the urban core.