Visitor information
Explore the 28-minute circuit and more at Dumbarton Oaks Park.
Feel free to download a Dumbarton Oaks Park trail map.
A Park map and guide are also available at the Lovers’ Lane entrance.
Call XXX-XXX-XXXX for a two-minute audio recording that provides a historical overview.
General information
Hours
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Cost
No entrance fee to access the Park.
Pets
Must be leashed and kept on established trails.
Restrooms
The closest public restroom is at adjacent Montrose Park.
Water
Bring water, as drinking water is not available.
Safety
Review the National Park Service’s safety information.
Police
Call the US Park Police at 202-610-7500.
Parking
Not available on site. Parking suggestions are shown below.
Precautions in the Park
This is a landscape under restoration. You can help us protect it by following these special precautions in the Park.
Special precautions in the Park
Fenced areas are off-limits to all people and pets. These areas are in restoration and are especially fragile.
Stay on established paths.
People and pets must stay out of the stream and off the stream banks.
Prohibited activities
See the full Park rules. Prohibited activities in the Park include smoking, alcohol, bicycle riding, and camping.
Food and beverage
Bring water, as drinking water is not available.
Visitors may bring prepared foods, however grills and fires are not allowed.
There are no snack bars or vending machines.
There are no picnic tables, pavilions, or grills.
Carry out all trash. Leave No Trace.
Accessibility
Most of the Park's walking trails are unpaved and rugged, with uneven surfaces and changing elevations.
See our --- Accessibility Statement --- for more information.
Recommendations
Review the National Park Service’s safety information.
Wear closed-toe shoes.
Check for ticks upon leaving the Park.
Frequently asked questions
Are guided tours offered?
Please contact Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy for information.
Can I take my wedding or other professional photos in the Park?
Please consult the National Park Service's Permit and Reservations information.
Are restaurants or snack bars nearby?
Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown offers many restaurants, coffee shops, and other places to get snacks and drinks.
Parking and entering Dumbarton Oaks Park
There are three entrances to Dumbarton Oaks Park. The most used entrance is off R Street NW. The entrance with the least incline is off Massachusetts Avenue NW. For each entrance, we've included a link to its location in Google Maps and detailed directions into the Park.
R Street NW
- Free on-street parking is available (in two-hour increments) along R Street NW.
- Find Lovers’ Lane approximately 200 feet east of the intersection of R Street and 31st Street NW. It’s a paved, pedestrian-only path. A green-on-white sign with “Dumbarton Oaks Park, Open Dawn to Dusk” marks the Lane.
- Stay on Lover’s Lane for ¼ mile downhill.
- The Park entrance is located at the bottom of the hill.
Massachusetts Avenue NW
- Free on-street parking is available (in two-hour increments) along Whitehaven Street NW.
- Find the dirt path intersecting Massachusetts Avenue NW immediately north of the bridge across Rock Creek.
- Stay on the path for one-third of a mile as it descends along Rock Creek, then curves and crosses Dumbarton Run.
- You’ll see the entrance gates to Dumbarton Oaks Park on your right.
Wisconsin Avenue NW
- Free on-street parking is available (in two-hour increments) along Wisconsin Avenue NW or Whitehaven Avenue NW.
- Walk northeast along Whitehaven Street NW, past the British School and Georgetown University buildings.
- Turn right onto the dirt path labeled “Dumbarton Oaks Trail” and continue downhill until you enter Dumbarton Oaks Park. Note that there currently is no signage to mark the entrance to the Park.
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