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Winding along its namesake river, from Maryland into southeast D.C., the Anacostia River Trail (also known as the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail) provides an outstanding recreation and active-transportation amenity for residents and tourists alike. On a fully paved surface (in addition to some short segments of boardwalk), the trail roves the area’s natural exurban riverside for 21.5 miles, along wooded areas and marshlands, on its way into the rapidly developing southeastern waterfront of the nation’s capital, providing access to parks, sports fields, and landmarks throughout the route.
About the Route
Roughly two miles north of the DC-Maryland line, the trail leaves off from Bladensburg, Maryland at Charles Armentrout Dr. and Baltimore Avenue (US-1), and heads south from here.
Just south of the northern endpoint, at Colmar Manor Community Park, the trail offers access to several sporting facilities (Note: access between the main trail and Colmar Manor Community Park involves a steep incline.) Here, a bridge takes the trail to the eastern bank of the Anacostia, where it continues south through Anacostia River Park and into the District of Columbia.
Passing under US Route 50 and the Northeast Rail Corridor, the trail reaches the beautiful Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens. Operated by the National Park Service, this outdoor gem is free and open year-round, and the trail links directly to the park’s winding boardwalks.
Beginning at Benning Road NE, the trail spans both sides of the Anacostia.
On the western bank, the trail skirts the abandoned RFK Stadium, a longtime DC sporting landmark until 2019, when it was slated to be demolished. Here, trail users can also access the Kingman and Heritage Island State Conservation Area, a man-made, forested island within the river, on connecting spur trails.
On the eastern bank, the trail continues south through a forested segment, crosses a CSX railyard, and proceeds through the Anacostia Park waterfront, passing several amenities including two recreation centers; multiple playgrounds, including a pirate ship–themed playground with an adult fitness station; a roller-skating pavilion; and numerous sports fields.
Two more intermediary river crossings connect the eastward Anacostia Park with the parallel trail on the western bank of the river: John Phillip Sousa Bridge at Pennsylvania Avenue SE, and the 11th Street Bridge.
The southern end of the western bank of the trail passes along the Navy Yard waterfront in Southeast DC, along several marinas, U.S. Naval monuments, and new riverfront developments with several dining and entertainment options surrounding Nationals Park.
At South Capitol Street Southeast, the trail makes its southernmost crossing between the riverbanks over Frederick Douglass Bridge.
Six blocks west of Nationals Park, at P Street SW and 4th Street SW, the trail resumes and offers a westbound spur that takes trail users to the Wharf, a marina and entertainment district, along the pedestrian-only Wharf Street SW.
Connections
At the northern trail-end in Bladensburg, the trail connects to the Northwest Branch Trail and the Northeast Branch Trail.
The Kingman Island and Heritage Island Trails can be accessed from Benning Road NE and from The Fields at RFK.
The Anacostia River Trail is part of the Capital Trails Coalition, a series of interconnected trails in the Metropolitan Washington D.C. Region.
Trail History
Prior to European colonization, the Anacostia River was a thriving natural ecosystem. Resident Nacotchtank people relied on the river as a fishing and drinking source. From 1749 through the early 1800s, Bladensburg was a thriving colonial port, fostering transatlantic trade of goods (especially tobacco) and enslaved people. By 1840, however, runoff accumulation had made the river too shallow for ships and the port was closed.
In 1799, the Washington Navy Yard was established to bolster the nascent U.S.’s shipbuilding capability. It was purposefully burned down by American soldiers during the war of 1812 to prevent seizure by the British, before being later rebuilt.
In the start of the 1900s, at the urging of Congress, the lands along the Anacostia began to be developed into gardens and public recreation space. In the 1920s and 30s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredged the riverbed, constructed seawalls, and turned marshy banks into dry land. This move, based on an antiquated understanding of land stewardship, set the ecosystem into decline, a course worsened by pollution and development throughout the 20th century.
In recent years, efforts have been underway to improve the environmental quality of the Anacostia and its surrounding public spaces.
The Anacostia River Trail runs between the trailhead for the Northwest Branch Trail and Northeast Branch Trail (Hyattsville, MD) and The Wharf DC, 760 Maine Ave. SW (Washington, D.C.).
Nearby Public Transit
The region’s Metro provides convenient rapid transit service to the trail. If taking your bike aboard a train, please observe the transit system’s rules. Several train stops are close to the trail:
The trail can also be accessed via the DC Streetcar, at the Benning Rd & Oklahoma Ave NE stop.
Parking
Parking is available:
There are numerous parking options along this route, see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Nice trail with a variety of parks and rivers and bridges and lakes. Visiting the Aquatic Park and Gardens was a real treat. It's right off the trail. Weekends can be a bit crowded and the trail is narrow but it a must do. Markers guide you along the way, there's lots of separate intersecting trails.
Tranquilo y sencillo para caminar. El estar junto al río hace muy grata la caminata o paseo en bici.
Starting at Nats Park (home of the Washington Nationals), we crossed the South Capitol Street bridge via a single-lane sidewalk with high railings on both sides. (This has now been replaced by a brand spanking new bridge with white arches that can be seen throughout the city.) On the southwest side of the Anacostia River, we encountered a surprisingly pastoral riverside trail that winds past playgrounds, basketball courts and a large outdoor roller-skating pavilion on the right. On the left, we could see boats motoring past the Navy Yard high rises and riverfront cafes, then further down, small marinas tucked into the wooded shoreline. Traffic on the trail was (and is always) very light with a few walkers, a few bikers and occasionally, a few fishermen hauling their tackleboxes, fishing rods and folding chairs to the water’s edge.
The trail meanders for about five miles before the exit to Benning Road which leads back to the Navy Yard on the opposite side of the river. But we recommend continuing on the trail for another five miles through lush forests and open marshlands, along quiet “country” roads (which are surprising in Washington, DC), past neighborhoods and athletic fields, and over wooden pathways that hug the shoreline. Our turnaround point was at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park, maybe two miles over the Maryland state line. There is a water bottle filling station and restroom there – along with a Dinosaur Walk. (Who knew?)
We returned to Benning Road to cross over the river and to pick up the trail, now on the northeast side of the Anacostia River. The return ride is visually interesting, but confusing. Rule of thumb: bear left whenever presented with a choice.
Navigating the Navy Yard area can be a bit challenging as residents and tourists crowd the outdoor cafes and spill out onto the expansive promenade. This wide swath of concrete and wood extends from the base of the Naval facility to Nats Park, an approximately half-mile stroll or slow, careful bike ride, past a very popular brewery.
I rode the Paint Branch Trail starting at Cherry Hill Park, connected to the Northeast Branch Trail and then to the Anacostia Trail to arrive at Anacostia River Park and then returned.
From the end of the Northeast Branch Trail I proceeded south on the Anacostia River Trail to Anacostia River Park. As was the case for the Paint Branch and Northeast Branch Trails, the Anacostia River Trail was paved (mostly asphalt) all the way and relatively smooth. There are a couple of wooden bridges including a large one over the river that descends into Bladensburg Waterfront Park. There are restrooms and water there. The trail continues into DC and becomes more urban including a section (very comfortable) that runs through a residential area. There are a couple of hills and then a climb to a bridge over the railroad yard that descends into Anacostia River Park.
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