Bladensburg Waterfront Park
Nestled among the Port Towns of Bladensburg, Colmar Manor and Cottage City, The Bladensburg Waterfront Park is located on the Anacostia River, one of the most historic waterways in America. The unique waterfront features a paved riverside walk, picnic pavilion, a public fishing pier, free boat ramp, community boat storage, playground, B&O railroad caboose, interpretive signage, and bicycle, canoe, kayak, paddle boat, and rowboat rentals.
The interpretive pontoon tours allow visitors to explore this surprisingly scenic river. The park also offers educational environmental and social studies programs. Enjoy special events in the park such as The A-May-Zing Animal Fest and The Annual Port Towns Day. The hiker/biker trail links this park directly to the Anacostia Tributary Trail System and the Anacostia River Trail.
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Hours
Park Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset (Parking lot closed and front gate locked at posted closing times)
Office Hours: 9 am-5 pm (Daily)
CLOSED: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, & New Year’s Day
(Note: Many places fill to capacity on busy, nice weather days, especially holiday weekends. Please call ahead or visit the official website to get the most up-to-date information before visiting.)
Fees
Use of the park, fishing pier, and boat ramp are all free.
Boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and rowboats) are available April-October.
Mondays-Fridays from 9 am-3pm, with equipment return by 4 pm.
Saturdays-Sundays from 9 am-4pm, with equipment return by 5 pm.
Canoe & Kayak Rates
Resident: $20/day
Non-Resident: $26/day
Group Paddle Guide: $60 (Flat rate for groups of 5-10 people; Based on staff availability; Must reserve at least 2 weeks ahead; Maximum 3 hours trip)
Paddle BoaT & Rowboat Rates
Resident: $10/hour; $25/day;
Non-Resident: $13/hour; $33/day
Bicycle & Tricycle Rentals
Rent a bicycle or tricycle and explore the sites along the Anacostia Tributary Trail System and the new Anacostia River Trail to Washington, D.C.
Bicycle rentals are available daily from 9 am-4 pm, year-round.
Adult Bicycle Rates
Resident: $15/day
Non-Resident: $20/day
Youth Bicycle Rates
Resident: $10/day
Non-Resident: $13/day
Fishing rod rentals are available daily from 9 am-4 pm, year-round.
Activities
The park offers an extensive program of public activities that include pontoon boat tours; guided canoe tours; canoe and kayak lessons; rentals of canoes, kayaks, and rowboats; guided discovery hikes, birdwatching, bicycle tours; nature club, nature crafts, and science programs for children; Maryland Safe Boating course; community events such as the summer Sunday evening performance series, Paddlesport Regatta, Port Towns Day, Teddy Bear Picnic; community boathouse and practice area for high school and college rowing teams.
In addition to participating in our organized activities, many visitors pursue their own interests including fishing, boating, birdwatching, and strolling by the river with children, pets, binoculars, or all of the above.
History
Bladensburg, Maryland, a tobacco trade port, was a bustling community sitting at the furthest inland point where the Eastern Branch of the Potomac (now Anacostia River) was still navigable. As part of a new turnpike running between Washington and Baltimore, a bridge had been built across the river.
British military leaders, looking for a way into the city, intended to cross here into Washington. The British took position, setting up Congreve rockets behind homes and shops on the Eastern shore of the river. The first line of American defenders, unaware of the scope of the British force, opened fire. Returning fire, the British launched their rockets – a weapon previously unseen on American soil. The American troops panicked and began to fall back. General William Winder, commander of the American troops, was unsure about the ability of his troops and hesitated in calling them back to their position.
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