Greenbelt Park

Complete guide to Greenbelt Park in Greenbelt, Maryland, including park information, Things To Do, activities, camping, nearby lodging options, and much more!

Greenbelt Park

Greenbelt Park offers visitors a glimpse of what the area once looked like before Europeans started settling this area in the 1600s. It has become a refuge for animals and native plants and is only 12 miles from downtown Washington, DC, and 23 miles from Baltimore!

The park offers camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird/wildlife viewing, and other outdoor recreation activities.

Things to know before you visit Greenbelt Park 

Entrance fee 

Greenbelt Park does not charge an entrance fee! If you plan on visiting numerous sites on a National Park trip, you may consider buying an America the Beautiful/National Park Pass before your trip.

$80.00 For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Greenbelt Park Information

Time Zone: (EST) Eastern Standard Time

Size -  1,176 Acres

Check out how the park compares to other  National Parks by Size. 

Date Established - 1950

Phone Number - (771)208-1588

Park Address
6565 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD 20770

Pets 
Pets are allowed at Greenbelt Park, but make sure to B.A.R.K.
B - Bag your pet's waste and dispose of it properly.
A- Always leash your pet, leashes may be no longer that six feet in length, under your control and not left unattended.
R- Respect Wildlife - keep you and your pet plenty of distance from park wildlife.
K- Know where you can go; pets are welcomed throughout Greenbelt Park, except inside the Ranger Station.

Cell Service: Yes, year-round

Park Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

 Wi-Fi Available: The park does not have WI-FI available. Visitors can go to the public library (2 miles away) for internet access.

Food/Restaurants: There are no restaurants in the park, but there are numerous options outside the park.

Gas: The park has no gas stations, but numerous options are available outside.

Drones: Drones are not permitted within National Park Sites.

Electric Vehicle Charging: The park does not have vehicle charging stations, but numerous options exist outside the park.

Don't forget to pack these items!

Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water. 

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.  Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors. 

Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.

Water Bottle 

Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

 National Park Passport Stamps

Make sure to bring your National Park Passport Book with you or we like to pack these circle stickers so we don't have to bring our entire book with us. 

Things To Do at Greenbelt Park

Hikers will enjoy the nine miles of hiking trails, including Perimeter, Azalea, Dogwood, and Blueberry Trails.

• .8 mile Blueberry Trail - a nice walk in the forest along the road in the campground.
• 1.5-mile Dogwood Trail - begins at the Dogwood parking area and is a nice, easy loop trail with several benches and shade.
• 1.2-mile Azalea Trail - begins in the Sweetgum Picnic Area and is another nice, easy trail with plenty of shade and typically not crowded.
• 5.3-mile Perimeter Trail - begins at the park entrance and follows the park's perimeter by the Greenbelt Campground and day-use areas. There are some beautiful spots, especially Still Creek, but expect to hear traffic.

There are three picnic areas: Sweetgum, Holly, and Laurel.

Laurel Picnic Area can accommodate up to 200 people and 99 parking spaces in the parking lot. There are picnic tables and restrooms available.

Sweetgum Picnic Area is a first-come, first-served area with a limit of four tables and 25 people per group. Larger groups can reserve a picnic area at the Laurel and Holly picnic areas. Amenities at the Sweetgum picnic area include public picnic tables, bathrooms, playground equipment, a baseball field, and a large field.

Holly Picnic Area can accommodate up to 200 people and has 99 parking spaces in the parking lot. There are picnic tables and grills available.

Here are three great tours in Washington, DC

Private Monuments Tour in Washington - If you have limited time, this three-hour trip will hit some of the capital highlights, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Iwo Jima Memorial and Museum, U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Arlington Cemetary, and the Washington National Cathedral.

No-Wait Washington Monument direct entry tickets & guidebook - Get your ticket mailed to you to go to the top of the Washington Monument in Washington D.C. without waiting in hours-long line to get tickets. You will have a brief security line to pass through with your timed entry pass.

Best of D.C. plus US Capitol and National Archives Reserved Entry - Epic 8.5-hour tour that includes priority entry into the US Capitol Building, White House, National WW2 Memorial, Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial(pass by), Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Georgetown, The Pentagon, Lincoln Memorial, Korean Veterans War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and ending at the National Archives Museum(with admission ticket included). Wow, now that's a tour!

Getting to Greenbelt Park

Estimated Distance from Major Cities

Washington, DC - 13 miles

Baltimore, MD - 29 miles

Philadelphia, PA - 129 miles

Newark, NJ - 206 miles

Norfolk, VA-  210 miles

Jersey City, NJ - 212 miles

New York, NY - 216 miles

Chesapeake, VA - 219 miles

Virginia Beach, VA - 223 miles

Pittsburgh, PA - 244 miles

Closest Airports 

College Park Airport - 3 miles

Lancaster Airport - 15 miles

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA / KDCA) - 18 miles

International Airports

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI / KBWI) - 27 miles

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD / KIAD) - 43 miles

Harrisburg International Airport -114 miles

Regional Airports

Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport - 117 miles

Reston Airport - 43 miles

Driving Directions

From Washington, D.C.

Take (Route 295) Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

Take Greenbelt Road West ( It's the exit right after I-95)

Veer right onto Route 193 Greenbelt Road West.

The Greenway shopping center on the left.

Proceed on Route 193 Greenbelt Road west.

The park is on the left-hand side at the 2nd traffic light.

From Baltimore, Maryland

Take (Route 295) Baltimore-Washington Parkway South.

Take Greenbelt Road Route 193 West ( It's the exit right before I-95)

Upon exiting the parkway, take a left at the stop light.

Veer right on Route 193 Greenbelt Road West.

The park is on the left-hand side at the 2nd traffic light.

Best time to visit 

The best time to visit Greenbelt Park depends on your preferences and the outdoor experience you seek.

Spring and fall are the most popular times to visit due to the pleasant weather and natural beauty. However, each season has its charm, and the best time for you to visit depends on your preferences and the activities you'd like to enjoy. It's a good idea to check the park's official website or contact the park authorities for any specific information or events that might affect your visit.

Weather and Seasons

Spring

During spring at Greenbelt Park, Maryland, you can expect a gradual warming of temperatures. In March, highs range from 55°to 60 degrees and lows from 35  to 40 degrees. By April, highs reach 65 to 70, and lows are 45 to 50 degrees. May sees even milder weather, with highs of 70 to 75 and lows of 50 to 55 degrees. Spring brings pleasant conditions for outdoor activities like hiking and birdwatching, with the landscape coming alive with blooming flowers and greenery.

Summer

During summer at Greenbelt Park, Maryland, temperatures rise. Expect highs of 80 to 85 degrees and lows of 60 to 65 in June. July brings higher temperatures, with highs around 85 to 90 and lows of 65 to 70 degrees. August maintains similar temperatures, with highs reaching 85  to 90 degrees and lows 65  to 70 degrees. Summer is the peak time for outdoor activities, so remember sunscreen and hydration while enjoying the warm weather.

Fall

Fall in Greenbelt Park, Maryland, offers cooler and comfortable temperatures. In September, highs range from 60 to 65 degrees and lows from 40  to 45 degrees. October sees highs of 65 to 70 degrees and lows of 45  to 50 degrees. November brings milder temperatures, with highs around 70 to 75 degrees and lows of 50  to 55 degrees. Fall is a great time to enjoy hiking, photography, and the changing colors of the leaves in the park's tranquil environment.

Winter

Winter in Greenbelt Park, Maryland, brings colder temperatures and occasional snowfall. December sees highs ranging from 40 to 45 degrees and lows of 25 to 30 degrees. January continues with similar temperatures, with highs of 40 to 45 degrees and lows of 25 to 30 degrees. February remains cool, with highs around 45 to 50 degrees and 30 to 35 degrees lows. Winter is a quieter time in the park, offering peaceful walks and a serene atmosphere, with the chance to experience the beauty of the landscape in its more subdued state.

 Lodging near Greenbelt Park

 There are no National Park Lodges, cabins, or Yurts within the park, but there are several lodging options in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Holiday Inn Washington DC-Greenbelt MD - Holiday Inn Washington DC-Greenbelt MD, an IHG Hotel, is a 3-star hotel in the bustling business district. The hotel offers a range of amenities, including a bar, where guests can unwind and enjoy their favorite beverages. Stay connected with complimentary in-room WiFi, allowing you to stay connected and productive during your stay.

WoodSpring Suites Washington DC Northeast Greenbelt - This hotel does not allow smoking and offers a wide range of amenities for your convenience. You can take advantage of the 24-hour fitness center. Additionally, there is a coffee/tea area available for guests to enjoy. Laundry facilities are provided, Free WiFi is accessible in public places, and complimentary self-parking is available. Inside each apartment, you will find a plasma TV with satellite channels. The kitchen has a refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave.

Click on the map below for vacation rentals and lodges near the park.

Greenbelt Park Camping

Greenbelt Park Campground has 172 campsites for both RVs and tents and takes year-round reservations. Campers will love this beautiful campground with peaceful forest surroundings. Did I mention that the park is only a half hour away from the nation's capital? RVs up to a max length of 35' are allowed, but no RV hookups are available. There are also several ADA Accessible sites available in the campgrounds B Loop. You will see lots of wildlife like deer and chipmunks and a lovely forested area with a pleasant mix of Oak & maple trees.

The only real negative is that the surrounding area is busy, and you will hear helicopters and airplanes overhead and road noise like sirens.

For a fun adventure, check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built-in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss! 

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando.

History of Greenbelt Park

Before Greenbelt Park became a tranquil, urban oasis, it was once a hunting ground for Native American tribes. With the Europeans' arrival in the 1800s, the site was stripped of its trees and converted into farmland, becoming vastly different from the park visitors experience today.

Native American History of Greenbelt Park

Thousands of years before the Europeans arrived in the vicinity of what is now Greenbelt Park, ancient Paleo-Indians visited the site. Native Americans have hunted in Maryland for roughly 10,000 years. The Paleo-Indians hunted large game here, such as mammoths, caribou, and giant bison.

The most recent cultural group to do so was the Algonquin tribe. The Algonquin tribe was not the only one to use this land to hunt, as several other smaller tribes used it, too. The tribes who hunted here often competed with each other for the area's resources.

When these tribes hunted, fished, and gathered here, the land was covered in forests and adorned with vibrant wildflowers, creating a sanctuary where abundant wild game roamed freely. This all changed, however, when Europeans began settling in the region.

The European History of Greenbelt Park

The first colony in Maryland was founded by the British in 1634. Not long after their arrival, they began clearing the forests and wildflowers to make way for their settlements and farms.

For the next 150 years, increasing portions of the natural landscape were cleared for farming. The wildlife that had once roamed freely gradually retreated as human influence on the area expanded.

The colonists and settlers did not take into account the damage that was being done by their activities. In the 1800s, large fields were being plowed and planted with crops such as corn and tobacco, year on year.

These early farming practices did not allow the soil time to recover, so the once fertile soil began to degrade due to overuse. Eventually, farming was no longer viable on the land and it was left barren. Erosion heavily damaged the area, and it was not until the early 1900s that the soil began to recover.

The History of the City of Greenbelt

The next great change to the area came in the 1930s while America was in the grips of the Great Depression. 1929, the stock market crashed, plunging America into severe economic hardship.

With millions of people unemployed, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt developed several programs and initiatives aimed at providing relief and stimulating the economy. One such initiative was the Resettlement Administration of 1935. The RA aimed to tackle the housing shortage and resettle families who were struggling to planned communities.

The idea behind the RA was to build greenbelt cities (communities surrounded by greenbelt areas) inspired by the beautiful cities and gardens of England. Several sites were chosen to develop such communities, one being Greenbelt, Maryland.

Work began on the planned community of Greenbelt in 1935 when 3,500 relief workers began clearing the land for the man-made lake and community structures. Elenor Roosevelt, FDR’s wife, helped with the town's layout.

Greenbelt and the other experimental New Deal towns were built and designed to be self-sufficient cooperative communities. The people who would move into these communities were vetted to make sure they would play an active role in the communities.

The community was planned to have everything a town would need, including space for businesses, a school, a community center, and recreation areas.

The architecture of the town's buildings was designed in the Streamline Moderne, Art Deco, and Bauhaus styles. While each home shares a similar aesthetic, there were 20 different floor plans available, adding diversity to the housing options.

People who moved into the newly completed town in 1937 had to be married, and it was required that the wife be a stay-at-home mother. Rent for the families amounted to 31 dollars per month. The entire project ended up costing the government 11 million dollars upon completion, which was nearly double the initial budget.

The community of Greenbelt prospered and established several cooperatives in the following years. The community spirit thrived, and many of these traditions persisted. However, the government sold the town of Greenbelt in 1952.

The History of Greenbelt Park

Initially, the land that makes up Greenbelt Park was to be incorporated into the green belt area around the planned community of Greenbelt. The area that is now the park was a forested area for which several plans had been made but never realized. One such plan included building a golf course.

The National Park Service acquired the land in 1950 when President Harry Truman set aside the space for recreational purposes.

Parks Near Greenbelt Park

Shenandoah National Park - 84 miles

New River Gorge National Park - 169 miles

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 496 miles

Congaree National Park -  498 miles

Check out all of the National Parks in Maryland, along with neighboring National Parks in Delaware, National Parks in Pennsylvania, National Parks in Virginia, and West Virginia National Parks.