Anacostia River Trail System

Features

  • Bike Trail
  • Bird Watching
  • Fishing
  • In-Line Skating
  • Jogging

Overview


Get away from automobile traffic and experience nature. The Anacostia River Trail System, a link in the national shore-to-shore American Discovery Trail, provides miles of uninterrupted trails along the tributaries of the Anacostia River. The southernmost point of the trail is located at Bladensburg Waterfront Park and spurs extend northeast and northwest along beautiful stream valley parkland. The trail system's continuous greenway traverses a variety of natural environments including woodlands, open fields, and wetlands.

Location


The flat, barrier-free trail system is designed for a wide variety of users, and a signage system with mile markers assists with location awareness. The trail system links several neighborhoods to Metro stations, but commuters needing to travel at speeds greater than 12 miles per hour should consider alternative routes.

Trail Sites


Sites along the Anacostia River Trail System worth a stop include:

  • Adelphi Mill
  • College Park Airport
  • College Park Aviation Museum
  • College Park Community Center
  • Ellen Linson Swimming Pool
  • Herbert Wells Ice Rink
  • Lake Artemesia
  • Many local neighborhood and community parks
  • Paint Branch Golf Course
Photo of stream with an overhead bridge at the Anacostia Tributary Trail

Little Paint Branch Trail Extended - New Trail Segment


Construction of a new two-mile segment of the Little Paint Branch Trail began in February 2018. Expected completion is in Summer 2019. The new trail extension will connect the existing trail at the Beltsville Community Center to the Paint Branch Trail that currently ends at Cherry Hill Road in College Park. It will also parallel Cherry Hill and Sellman Roads. With the new trail segment, patrons will be able to bicycle or walk from the Beltsville Community Center to the Bladensburg Waterfront Park on a continuous 10-mile trail.