Turkey Run Park, McLean, VA 22101
Phone: 703-289-2500 or 703-289-2530
Fax: 703-289-2598
Open All Year
A 23-foot-tall statue of Theodore Roosevelt greets you as you visit this 91-acre island in the middle of the Potomac River. This urban park is a memorial to the 26th president's love of nature and the National Park Service, which started under his administration with the help of naturalist John Muir. Upon taking office as president, Roosevelt said that his primary goal was to establish a governmental office that would serve to protect the wilderness. During his administration, over 234 million acres of American wilderness became dedicated conservation areas. He was also responsible for saving bison from extinction and introducing irrigation to western states. The marshy island is a haven for water-loving animals like muskrats, frogs, and turtles, as well as raccoons and several species of birds. The island offers three miles of nature trails and a half-mile boardwalk.
This is an ideal place for bird- and nature-watching. Bird species include wren and red-winged blackbirds, and you might also see an occasional red fox. You can take advantage of nature trails that travel underneath towering elms, oaks, and maples, or join a guided walk on weekends. Group tours are also available; phone ahead for a reservation. Fishing is allowed, but a permit is required for anyone over the age of 16. The island is accessible only on foot: a footbridge connects it to the Virginia shoreline. A parking lot is located just off the George Washington Memorial Parkway (accessible from the northbound lane only). From Washington, D.C., take the Metro to the Rosslyn station, which is adjacent to Key Bridge. The island is open year-round until sunset.
I-66 exit Geo. Wash. Mem. Pkwy.
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