What national parks are near DC? Where to go for Earth Day

The National Park Service is offering free entry to all of its sites on Earth Day, allowing visitors a chance to experience the majesty of the wilderness without paying an entrance fee.

While many people think of Washington DC for its imposing federal buildings and marble monuments, the nation’s capital and the DMV are also home to expansive green spaces that offer a stark contrast to the urban landscape.

Here are some parks and nature-focused National Park Service sites in and around Washington DC to visit this Earth Day on April 22.

Rock Creek Park

The 1,754-acre park is considered the "gem in our nation's capital," offering hiking and biking trails and miles of green space.

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

Part of Anacostia Park in northeast DC, Kenilworth spans 700 acres and is "home to vibrant aquatic plant life." The park includes the "Gardens" and the Kenilworth Marsh.

Anacostia Park

Situated along the Anacostia River, Anacostia Park "has something to offer for everyone," with possible activities including fishing and boating.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

The manmade forest on the 91-acre island features "miles of trails through wooded uplands and swampy bottomlands (that) honor the legacy of a great outdoorsman and conservationist."

Glover-Archbold Park

At 183 acres, Glover Archbold Park includes a 2.5-mile walking trail that the National Park Service says runs through the park, and is known as a popular park for bird watchers.

Fort Dupont Park

Built to protect DC during the Civil War, the 361-acre wooded park is a popular spot for nature walks, biking and gardening activities.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

The canal, which spans parts of DC and Maryland, offers "a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures."

Catoctin Mountain Park

About 65 miles away from DC in Frederick County, Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park has a wide range of hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous.

Great Falls Park

Featuring steep waterfalls and overlooks, Great Falls Park offers views of the Potomac River rapids and options for whitewater boating on kayaks and canoes. It's in McLean, a 17-mile drive from DC.

Shenandoah National Park

A little further away from DC, a 75-mile drive to the park in Front Royal, Virginia, could provide visitors the chance to see "cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet wooded hollows" through the 200,000 acres of protected lands.

Prince William Forest Park

Considered "an oasis, a respite of quiet and calm," Prince William Forest is an option for campers, hikers, bikers and nature lovers in Northern Virginia about 35 miles from DC.

Greenbelt Park

Just outside DC in Maryland, Greenbelt Park is an option for camping and hiking throughout "peaceful forest surroundings."

Piscataway Park

About 20 miles south of DC in Maryland, Piscataway Park is a good spot to view bald eagles and experience the Potomac River.