Grab your sled and snow tube because these city hills and nearby resorts are the best spots for your family’s next downhill adventure
One of life’s simplest thrills is soaring down a snowy hill on a cold winter day. Whether you prefer a toboggan, a snow tube, or a simple sled, the rush of a steep slope can be enjoyed by nearly everyone. Better yet: if you’ve got sledding enthusiasts in your house, you don’t have to wait for it to snow to hit the hills! We found the best nearby resorts for all-winter fun, two indoor spots where you can sled all day no matter the weather, and—for when it actually does snow—the top-rated hills in the city. From a winter road trip to the largest snow tubing track in the country to the steepest hill in the city (as well as our favorite gentle slope), here are the best places to toboggan, sled, and snow tube near Washington, DC.
The Best Sledding Hills in Washington, DC
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The U.S. Capitol
When it snows, the West Lawn welcomes sledders from dawn to dusk. The AOC (Architects of the Capitol) offer a list of tips to make sure your snowy adventure is a safe one. At times, sledding on Capitol Grounds may be restricted for a number of reasons, including construction and heightened security. Please check the Capitol website before you go
First St SE
National Mall
Online: aoc.gov
Battery Kemble Park
Battery Kemble Park is one of the city's best kept, tourist-free secrets. This small patch of undeveloped land sits neatly tucked away in a residential area. Coast down a Civil War battery used by Union Soldiers for an afternoon of fresh-air fun!
3035 Chain Bridge Rd NW
Wesley Heights
Online: nps.gov
Book Hill Park
Located in Georgetown, this steep slope attracts (a huge number of) enthusiastic sledders looking for high-speed thrills. If you've got little ones in tow, we suggested skipping this park that requires maneuvering around trees, bushes and crowds. If you've got experienced sledders, enjoy!
Wisconsin Ave. NW & Reservoir Rd. NW
Georgetown
Online: bookhillparkdc.com
Washington Monument
This famous hill offers a gradual slope for pint sized sledders. While not a popular at the Capitol Grounds, it does offer a gentle ride for new sledders. If it's not fast enough for your little ones, walk up to the Capitol for more speed.
2 15th St NW
National Mall
Online. nps.gov
Fort Reno Park
Climb Fort Reno's hill and you've reached the highest natural point in DC! This slope is known for it's longer-than-usual ride. While this is a popular spot to sled, sledders can usually space out for a safe experience. Tenleytown is a quick walk from the park; warm up at Steak n' Eggs diner with a hot chocolate and all-day breakfast.
4000 Chesapeake St NW
Tenleytown
Online: nps.gov
Indoor Sledding (and Sliding!) for All-Weather Fun near Washington DC
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ICE! featuring A Christmas Story
Suit up in a blue parka to explore this exhibit chilled to a freezing 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Over 2 million pounds of brightly colored ice is hand-carved to depict larger-than-life scenes from the beloved holiday movie, A Christmas Story. Famous scenes from the movie are reimagined as ice carvings, including the famous department store Santa scene. Your parka acts as a wearable sled while you zip down this slide made completely of ice.
Cost: $27.99-44.99
Dates: Now-Dec. 31
201 Waterfront St.
National Harbor, MD
Online: gaylordnational.com
Snow Flow Mountain
Rip down Snow Flow Mountain at thrilling speeds on bumper-safe icy terrain. At Gaylord National Harbor, you can hop in a tube and safely race down an entirely ice-covered hill where, if you pick up enough momentum, a cushy bumper will end your ride. You must be at least 42-inches to ride and tubers are single occupant lanes only. Purchase a ticket and go with the flow (of snow!) all day!
Cost: $24.99
Dates: Now-Dec. 31
201 Waterfront St.
National Harbor, MD
Online: gaylordnational.com
The Best Resorts for Snow Tubing near Washington, DC
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Bubly Tube Park at Liberty Mountain
Liberty Mountain is one of the closest slopes to DC, and the lodge provides shuttle buses straight from the parking lot to the tube track so you don't have to waste energy trekking to the mountain. Bubly Tube Park has 15 lanes available for visitors to shoot down. Translation? Long lines are non-existent. And if you're lucky, you and the fam will have a slide all to yourselves! Younger families can head over to the Kiddie Tubing area where kids smaller than 41" can tube safely.
Cost: $12/41" & under; $40/ 42" & up
Dates: Dec. 23-Mar. 12
78 Country Club Trail
Carroll Valley, PA
Online: libertymountainresort.com
Whitetail Resort
Located just over the border in PA, Whitetail Resort is a great place for first time snow tubing adventures. Families with children over five-years-old can make the runs down the hill together and for those with littler tubers, Whitetail’s kiddie section is smaller and less scary than the big hill. Sessions are first-come, first served and sold in two hour time slots online.
Cost: $10/41" & under; $37/42" & up
Dates: Dec. 17-Mar. 12
13805 Blairs Valley Rd.
Mercersburg, PA
Online: skiwhitetail.com
Roundtop Mountain Resort
This family-friendly mountain features 800' runs with an 80' ft vertical drop. If that's too much zip for your little, they can cruise at a slower speed on the kiddie hill. Thanks to the snow makers, you can always bet on snow at this mountain!
Cost: $10/41" & under; $36/42" & up
Dates: Dec. 26-Mar. 12
925 Roundtop Rd.,
Lewisberry, PA
Online: skiroundtop.com
Bryce Resort
Just a two hour drive from downtown DC can have you and your family on the Bryce Resort tubing track for some fast paced fun. Tubers over 4-years-can spend 90 minutes zipping down these slopes; kids over 8 can hit the tubing track alone while mom and dad catch some quality time by the fire at the resorts Copper Kettle or the Fireside Grill restaurants.
Cost: $33/person
Dates: Dec. 12-Mar. 5
1982 Fairway Dr.
Basye, VA
Online: bryceresort.com
Massanutten Resort
1822 Resort Dr.
McGaheysville, VA
Online: massresort.com
Worth-The-Drive Sledding Destinations near Washington, DC
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Camelback Resort
With over 40 lanes to tube down, Camelback Resort wins the "biggest snowtubing park" award in the country! A Magic Carpet whisks you up the steep side of this mountain so you can enjoy 2 fun-filled hours of tubing. Nab tickets for an evening slot and the snow is aglow with vibrant colors for a Galactic experience. Kids must be 44" tall to ride alone. When you've had enough of the winter weather, head indoors for America's #1 rated indoor waterpark.
Cost: $50/person
Dates: Season TBD
193 Resort Dr.
Tannersville, PA
Online: camelbackresort.com
Penguin Slides Tubing Park at The Omni Homestead Resort
Make a weekend out of winter activities at The Omni Homestead Resort. Reservations for one-hour time slots on the Penguin Slides Tubing Park hill must be made in advance (must be 5 & up and over 48" tall). This Park makes tubing a relaxing activity; a conveyor belt transports guests back up the hill so they don't have to exhaust themselves on the climb. Other resort activities include mini snowmobiles JUST for kids (ages 6-12), ice skating and (for beginners) there is the 9-trail mountain for budding skiers.
Cost: $27 ($22/resort guests)
Dates: Seasons starts Dec. 22
7696 Sam Snead Hwy.
Hot Springs, VA 24445
Online: omnihotels.com
Blue Mountain Resort
If you're looking for a change of scenery, head to the PA for winter thrills. There are over 10 resorts to tube (and ski) in the Pocono Mountains. and Blue Mountain offers the fastest and longest lanes in the region—and the state! This resort has 46 lanes, so you never have to wait long for another run (fun fact: they are now the largest snow tubing park in the country!). And 3 running lifts means you spend more time sledding than toting that tube back up the hill (and with over 1,000 feet of sledding, you're not going to want to walk). Stay at near-by Woodloch Resort and snow tubing—while not as "extreme" as the Blue Mountain experience—is complimentary with your stay.
Cost: $20
Dates: TBD
1660 Blue Mountain Dr.
Palmerton, PA
Online: skibluemt.com
