Things To Do

Experience Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens ever changing activities throughout the year!

Tim Erving for the Blue Heron and Monarch Butterfly. Lynn Wilson for the couple holding a corgi. Allan Calica for the red and yellow lily.

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens lends itself to the imagination when it comes to the activities that are possible. With each season comes a different change of pace and new wonders to explore.

Birding, wildlife viewing, photography, water gardens, leisure walks, relaxation, painting, art, picnics, yoga, dates, or even a nap in the shade; whatever your reason may be, come enjoy a day in your national park.

Explore

With the longest route being a half mile loop it's easy to explore all the park has to offer. Check out the historic ponds, filled with 500 year old lotus and vibrant tropical lilies. Discover the sights and sounds of the ponds as frogs call and turtles bask in the sun. Look out across lush aquatic vegetation and see shore birds wading and hunting for food. For the truly adventurous there's a .25 mile dirt path, leading out of the gardens to the River Trail. Here you can follow the Anacostia River, taking a right will lead you towards Bladensburg Watershed, while a left will take you towards Anacostia Park.

Birding

Birding has always been a good reason to come to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. With aquatic, marsh, and wooded habitat, Kenilworth is home to a reported 248 species of birds year round. In spring and summer catch the song birds as they whip through the air. In the Winter seasons find ducks and the winter migrators from up north.

 

NPS park ranger giving a school group a tour of the aquatic gardens.

NPS photo: M. Marquez

Ranger Programs

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not offering ranger programs at this time. Rangers are present at the park during open hours and are available for questions and assistance.

Group Visits

We are currently not offering ranger-led group visits. However groups are welcome to come visit the park on their own.