Trail Moments | A Journey Along the Anacostia River Trail
This article is part of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Trail Moments initiative—to elevate new and tried-and-true trail voices around the country, and how trails impact the lives of Americans. Learn more at trailmoments.org and #TrailMoments on social media. Share your story, or view a collection of trail moments stories.
My love of bicycling started when I learned to ride at 12 years old. Growing up, I rode my bike for a 9-mile newspaper route, but then gave up riding when I learned to drive. I got back into biking when my kids were young and took them exploring through our local neighborhoods by bike.
After they were teenagers, I again stopped riding, but in 2010, I bought a hybrid bike and started exploring trails on my own. During one ride, I met a group of “Friday riders” and began exploring the many sights and memorials around the Washington, D.C., area with them.
As a longtime resident of Hyattsville, Maryland, I watched as the Anacostia River Trail (ART) was expanded and finally completed. It meanders along the Anacostia River from Bladensburg, Maryland, to D.C.’s Wharf area, about 12 miles one way. This is my favorite local trail—and it’s only 2 miles from my house!
Related: Trail of the Month: Washington, D.C., and Maryland’s Anacostia River Trail (August 2020)
A River Ride
Let me share some highlights of the ART—and I’m sure you’ll see why it’s my favorite! On its northern end, the ART starts at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, where you can find bike and trike rentals, as well as canoes and kayaks. The park also offers pontoon boat trips that let you see the river better and watch for wildlife, like eagles and osprey. Heading south, the trail meanders along the river, going under New York Avenue (Route 50) to the entrance of Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, where there are benches to sit and enjoy the river views or the lagoon.
Continuing south, you pass the entrance of the Marvin Gaye Trail on the left, which follows the old streetcar line that went through his neighborhood. Next, you come to the first of five bridges crossing the river—all of them with bike lanes. At the Ethel Kennedy Bridge for Benning Road, the trail spits into eastern and western routes. The trail on the east side of the river goes south past a skating pavilion and recreation center and offers more beautiful views of the river. Crossing the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, be sure to stop at the observation area and take in the scenery.
The trail then merges with the western route and goes past Audi Field Soccer Stadium. Continuing on dedicated bike lanes, you’ll pass Fort McNair, established in 1791, and the Titanic Memorial. Here, the trail turns right along the Washington Channel and leads to the Wharf, where there are lots of food and drink options and great views of the Washington Channel.
Heading back along west bank of the Anacostia River, you’ll pass Nationals Park baseball stadium and cross a beautiful pedestrian bridge to Yards Park; there are many food and drink options here, too. Other highlights along this route include the Navy Yard, historical Congressional Cemetery and the Kingman and Heritage Islands Park.
A Love of Biking
On the ART, you’ll find people using the trail in many ways: walking, pushing strollers, inline skating, riding scooters, biking (and e-biking) and using electric wheelchairs. The trail provides a wonderful opportunity for all of us to enjoy nature and be outside. There are many benches where you can sit and meditate in the quiet stillness—even in the midst of a busy urban area.
When I turned 75, my kids said, “Dad, you have been talking about an e-bike for three years; what are you waiting for?” In the year that I have been riding my e-bike, I have gone over 2,500 miles and have joined an e-bike group. I have watched the expanding bike paths and trails with joy as they give me more places to explore. One of my goals is to ride on rail-trails in all 50 states.
For me, biking feels spiritual and uplifting. I love feeling the breeze on my face while exploring new areas and trails. I have enjoyed sharing my love of this trail with family and friends and hope you get to enjoy this trail someday, too.
Related: Top 10 Trails in Maryland
Related: Destination: Washington, D.C., and Maryland’s Anacostia River Trail (Spring/Summer 2022, Rails to Trails)
The Anacostia River Trail is part of the vision of the Capital Trails Coalition to create an 800-miles-plus network of multiuse trails that are equitably distributed throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region. Learn more about this RTC TrailNation™ project.
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