Anacostia River Trail: Bladensburg return
Maryland · Greenway
Follow signs for the Anacostia River Trail downstream from Bladensburg Waterfront Park for up to one mile, then retrace. Stay on the separated river path and turn earlier at barriers or uncomfortable transitions.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Bladensburg · Maryland
- Ride length
- Up to 2 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Hard-surface designated shared bicycle/pedestrian river trail; natural branches excluded
- Road crossings
- Designated separated shared path only. Stop at street/driveway crossings; no ordinary-road detour.
- Elevation
- River corridor with bridges, bends and local approaches. Maximum grade is not surveyed. Slow down or walk wet/slippery transitions.
- Starting location
- Bladensburg Waterfront Park public trail access, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD 20710
Conservative selected distance cap; turn at half the listed return distance or earlier. Not a GPS measurement; parking walks are extra.
Published facility reference, not a surveyed parking entrance. Use the written public address and posted access signs.
Trailhead
Bladensburg Waterfront Park public trail access4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD 20710
The manager identifies visitor parking and this public park address. Parking is limited; no parking beside the pavilion or on the promenade. Use open visitor spaces and obey event controls. Entrance and stalls have not been independently inspected.
Address source ↗Anacostia River Trail: Bladensburg return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-11-06. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A short shared-path outing from Bladensburg, with a flexible turnaround for a relaxed recreational ride.
Start and parking
Start: Bladensburg Waterfront Park public trail access, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD 20710.
The manager identifies visitor parking and this public park address. Parking is limited; no parking beside the pavilion or on the promenade. Use open visitor spaces and obey event controls. Entrance and stalls have not been independently inspected.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 2 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: Follow signs for the Anacostia River Trail downstream from Bladensburg Waterfront Park for up to one mile, then retrace. Stay on the separated river path and turn earlier at barriers or uncomfortable transitions.
The manager map distinguishes the Anacostia River Trail from its tributary branches and natural-surface paths. This short Maryland return is not a full Washington, D.C. trip, a route through boat ramps or an ordinary-road connection.
The return distance is a selected cap, not a GPS measurement. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Hard-surface designated shared bicycle/pedestrian river trail; natural branches excluded. River corridor with bridges, bends and local approaches. Maximum grade is not surveyed. Slow down or walk wet/slippery transitions.
Yield to walkers, slow for blind bends and stop at every street, driveway and parking crossing. Wet boardwalks, loose gravel, flooding, debris and ice can change suitability. Turn back rather than bypass a closure or enter motor traffic.
Hours, costs and access
Park: sunrise to sunset; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Trail profile lists dawn to dusk; follow the stricter park access hours for this start. Manager lists free admission; rentals and programmed activities are separate.
Reviewed November 6, 2026. Public path access and bicycle use are supported by the cited sources. No same-day condition clearance or universal e-bike class permission is claimed. Follow current signs and manager notices.
Map and Directions
The map is a published facility or corridor reference, not a surveyed parking entrance. Directions use the named public street destination above. The parking entrance and individual stalls have not been independently checked.