Anacostia River Park

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Parks

District-Of-Columbia

Nearby: Colmar Manor Community Park Fort Lincoln Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Anacostia River Park is a recreational area located in the state of District of Columbia, offering visitors various activities and attractions.

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Summary

One of the main reasons to visit the park is to enjoy its stunning natural beauty, including the river, trees, and wildlife. The park also hosts several events and programs throughout the year, such as birdwatching, kayaking, and fishing.

Some of the specific points of interest in the park include the Anacostia River Trail, which is a popular spot for hiking and biking, and the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, where visitors can see a wide variety of water lilies and lotus flowers. Additionally, the park features a playground, picnic areas, and a skate park.

An interesting fact about Anacostia River Park is that it was designed by the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park in New York City. The park was established in 1926 and has since become a beloved spot for locals and tourists alike.

The best time of year to visit Anacostia River Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is mild, and the flowers are in bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities and events throughout the year.

Overall, Anacostia River Park is a beautiful and unique destination in the District of Columbia, offering visitors a chance to connect with nature and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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