National and City Parks in Washington, DC

Midsummer in the Washington DC area is a beautiful time of year. Whether you're taking in the lovely natural scenery with a hike, exploring the historic parks in the area, or any other outdoor activity, you will have plenty of ways to experience the great outdoors.

Anacostia Park is one of the Washington DC area's largest parks at 1,200 acres. This park actually has two separate parks inside of it, the Kenilworth Park and the Aquatic Gardens. At Aquatic Gardens you will find beautiful plant and animal life, as well as a variety of recreational areas including ball fields for soccer, baseball, basketball, and tennis. Kenilworth is a more natural area with rare plants and animals inhabiting it. Throughout the larger Anacostia Park area, you will find boat clubs and marinas taking advantage of the water recreation on the Anacostia River. There is also an 18-hole golf course, roller skating, and other activities.

One of the more famous parks in the Washington DC area is the Gettysburg National Park. This was the site of the largest and bloodiest battle in the Civil War, where 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, captured, or missing. At this 6,000 acre park, you can drive across a total of 265 miles of roads, and view over 1,400 monuments and memorials dedicated to the memory of these valiant soldiers.

You can also explore a piece of history while taking in the fresh air of the great outdoors at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park in nearby Potomac, Maryland. This national treasure spans a total of 184.5 miles of the Potomac River, and features historical areas where you can still see remnants of the original locks, lock houses, aqueducts and other features of the famous Chesapeake and Ohio Canals that were used between 1828 and 1924. The park also boasts hiking, biking, and other recreational activities, as well as beautiful natural scenes such as the Great Falls of the Potomac.

At Fort Washington Park, you can explore the historic fort that once stood overlooking the Potomac to protect the nation's capital against ships. The fort still stands today in its original form on a 341 acre park. You can take in views of Washington and the Virginia shoreline from the fort, as well as enjoy the playground, hike and bike trails, and picnic areas at the park.

These and many other parks are waiting for you in Washington DC, providing you with a great opportunity for both outdoor recreation and education.