Anacostia Park Park
Large urban park along the Anacostia River, Washington
Along the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., Anacostia Park provides bike paths, ballfields, picnic areas and a rowing boathouse used by clubs and weekend visitors.
Anacostia Park at a Glance#
Address: Anacostia Park, Washington, DC, United States (along Anacostia River)
Website: https://www.nps.gov/places/anacostia-park.htm
Hours: Park open daily dawn-dusk (some recreational areas open later)
Admission: Free (city park)
About Anacostia Park#
Anacostia Park is a large urban park along the eastern bank of the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., that provides extensive riverfront open space and recreational facilities. It is managed by the National Park Service and contains sports fields, picnic areas and multi-use trails.
Facilities within the park include athletic fields, boat ramps and riverside pathways used for cycling, walking and fishing, together with open green spaces and playgrounds. The park functions as a major green corridor in the eastern part of the District.
The park was assembled from municipal and federal lands to provide urban open space and recreation along the Anacostia River; management focuses on public access, riverfront recreation and conservation of riparian areas. Programming includes community events, sports leagues and volunteer conservation activities.
Anacostia Park runs for several miles along the Anacostia River on the eastern side of Washington, D.C., east of the U.S. Capitol and within the city limits, providing a continuous greenbelt through predominantly urban neighborhoods.
- Size and recreational facilities: The park covers roughly 1,200 acres of riverfront land and includes athletic fields, walking and biking trails along the Anacostia River.
How to Get to Anacostia Park#
Anacostia Park runs along the Anacostia River east of the U.S. Capitol. From downtown DC the park is reachable by Metro (Anacostia Station on the Green Line) with a short bus or bike ride; there are multiple parking areas along Anacostia Drive SE.
Tips for Visiting Anacostia Park#
- Explore the river trail near the Anacostia River to watch kayakers and to see renovation projects along the waterfront.
- Visit on weekdays early morning for birdwatching; spring brings many migrants.
- Avoid certain stretches after dark - some areas are under active revitalization and can feel less safe at night.
Best Time to Visit Anacostia Park#
Spring and fall are best for outdoor activities and community events; weekday mornings are good for solitude and birding.
Weather & Climate near Anacostia Park#
Anacostia Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1077 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 6° | -3° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -3° - 8° | -1° | 70 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 2° - 14° | 5° | 94 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 6° - 20° | 13° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 12° - 25° | 19° | 109 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 17° - 29° | 23° | 90 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 32° | 26° | 106 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 31° | 25° | 98 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 15° - 27° | 21° | 96 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 8° - 21° | 15° | 85 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 15° | 7° | 85 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -1° - 9° | 1° | 82 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
