Anacostia Park

Washington D.C.'s waterside park offers trails, boating, fishing, picnic sites, and an 18-hole golf course. As the capital's largest and most important recreation area, the Anacostia contains over 1200 acres.

Jog, walk or bike along the paved 3.5-mile Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and watch the rowers and boaters drift by. Definitely one of the best places to run in D.C. This urban oasis is very family oriented, with plentiful places to grill and picnic (no alcohol allowed). A swimming pool, multiple playgrounds, and a pirate ship keep kids entertained.

The sprawling neighborhood national park offers tons of free amenities. Check out the 18-piece fitness station equipped with strength training and aerobic equipment. How about free roller skate rentals in the summer? Anacostia's Skating Pavilion is the only roller skating rink in the National Park Service. Tennis and basketball courts along with soccer and other mowed green areas provide sports-lovers of all types with a place to play their favorite game. Just BYOB (ball).

Anacostia also lays claim to Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens and Kenilworth Marsh. The Aquatic Gardens are gorgeous in every season, an ever-changing color palette. Go early on a summer morning to catch the water lilies and lotus flowers before they close up during the midday heat. Time your trip just right in late July, and find the annual two-day Lotus and Water Lily Festival in full bloom.

Explore camping on public campgrounds along the way or on private land through Hipcamp.