Capitol Heights Park

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Parks

District-Of-Columbia

Nearby: Rollins Ave Park Brooke Road Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Capitol Heights Park is a public park located in the state of District of Columbia, USA.

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Summary

It is a popular destination for visitors due to its numerous amenities and attractions.

One of the main reasons to visit Capitol Heights Park is its vast green spaces and well-maintained trails, which are perfect for hiking, jogging, or biking. It also has a variety of amenities like playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields, making it an ideal spot for family outings and group gatherings.

The park also features several interesting points of interest like the historic Benning Race Track, which was once a popular venue for horseracing. Visitors can also explore the nearby Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens or the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Interesting facts about the area include that it was once home to the Piscataway Native American tribe and played a significant role in the Civil War as it was a strategic location during battles. Capitol Heights Park was officially established in 1927 and has been a popular recreational destination since then.

The best time of year to visit Capitol Heights Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is pleasant and the park is in full bloom. However, it is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy seasonal activities like ice skating during the winter months.

Overall, Capitol Heights Park is an excellent destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and rich history of the District of Columbia.

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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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