RT Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

National park sanctuary featuring cultivated ponds of blooming lotuses and water lilies, tidal marshes, and trails ideal for birdwatching and nature walks.

General Information

Hours:

Park Grounds: Daily 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Visitor Center: Daily 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. April–September)
Closed: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day

Fees:

Admission is free
Guided tours available seasonally

Pet Policy:

Pets are not allowed

Seasons:

May through early fall recommended for peak lotus and lily blooms

Location:

1550 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019

Website:

nps.gov/keaq

How to Get There

From Deanwood Metro Station, walk south on 48th Street NE, turn right on Quarles Street NE, then left on Anacostia Avenue NE to reach the park entrance.

Overview

Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens in northeast D.C., managed by the National Park Service, has ponds of blooming lotuses and water lilies and the last remaining tidal marsh in the District, with boardwalks and trails where you may see herons, turtles, dragonflies, and beavers. Civil War veteran Walter Shaw began the gardens in the 1880s, and they joined the National Park system in 1938. The blooms are best from late spring through summer, with a Lotus and Water Lily Festival.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.