I suppose because it is listed under the category of "Funeral Services & Cemeteries" on Yelp, Oak Hill doesn't get much attention. Which is actually fine for us locals, because that means there are not throngs of people descending on this beautiful and serene gem.
Yes, Oak Hill is first and foremost a (garden) cemetery, but unlike few I have ever seen. I spent a full afternoon there on Easter Sunday and feel like I have merely scratched the surface of all there is to see. I was really just looking for a peaceful, yet respectful place to spend the holiday, so I didn't dig too deeply into the history, but definitely plan to return to explore more. I believe you can buy a map at the visitors center.
The cemetery is vast and park-like, situated on a massive downward sloping hill. It is surrounded by mature trees of Rock Creek Park trails and Rock Creek and retains many natural elements including boulders, winding stone pathways, flower gardens, open lawn and wooden staircases.
There must be tens of thousands of grave markers, but they are positioned in a way that makes Oak Hill more like a sculpture garden than a traditional cemetery. Dozens of family mausoleums, hundreds of monuments and countless headstones, busts, benches, path markers, statues, monoliths, and other memorials. There is also an architecturally stunning chapel, gatehouse, carriage house, stone bridge and tunnel, fountain and columbarium (cremation site.)
It is so quiet and peaceful, you forget that you are in an urban city. Though there is the distant sound of traffic from the highway below, it gets mostly drowned out by the chirping of the birds and rustling of the leaves.
Note: there is a sign declaring No Photography, and to visit the office for additional information; but as I was only there to experience the serenity so I didn't pursue further and tried to be respectful by only snapping photos of non-personal structures. read more