greenbelt national park

Greenbelt National Park is one of the smallest and least-featured National Parks in the U.S. However, that doesn't mean it's not a nice place. Basically, it was created to provide a National Park campground that wasn't too far from Washington, DC. For being situated inside the Capital Beltway, it is heavily wooded and green. About the only feature it has are the hiking trails. There are no scenic overlooks, no notable natural attractions, nothing like that. It does have some trails that can be used by horses. For bicycle racers, there is a 1.5-mile loop with a good uphill section that is absolutely perfect for interval training, especially since there is not much vehicular traffic.There are several grocery stores and shopping centers close by, so no problems getting supplies. If you want to sample the local scene, pop over to Old Greenbelt (make sure it's Old Greenbelt, AKA "Historic Greenbelt," and not the new part) and visit the New Deal cafe.About the only negative thing I've heard about the park is that the ticks can be numerous during the non-winter months, so use repellant and/or soak your clothes in permethrin before hiking there.Note that there is not a fee to get into the park, but of course there is a fee to camp there.

Okay, Greenbelt National Park doesn't have waterfalls or cliffs or geysers, but given the location it's a nice place. If you're visiting the DC area and want to camp, this is a good choice. And if you're local and want a nice hike in the woods, this is a really good option - they have a six-mile perimeter trail as well as a bunch of shorter trails.

Wonderful park for a leisurely walk or work out walk. Pretty spaces so close to the beltway. Pack your picnic basket and enjoy the afternoon here

Greenbelt National Park came under the National Park Service in 1950 when the existing Greenbelt Park was acquired along with other land in order to construct the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, an early project of the Scenic Parkway program. Regrettably, it is not very well maintained and lacks many of the amenities present day campers have grown to expect.That said, it appears quite popular with campers visiting the nation's capitol. Locals vastly prefer to utilize the numerous nearby quality state, civic, and regional parks to spend a few nights in the outdoors. Also, a great many of the residents and day workers in the area find it a haven for walking, running, picnicking, even just sitting down with a good book for an hour or so. There are volunteers aplenty associated with the park, and it is to be hoped that some niceties might be in store.There is no entrance fee, and campsites, tent or RV, are quite reasonable, though on the spartan side. Two short nature trails for jogging or walking are unspectacular, but well laid out. Do be advised that deer ticks and world class spiders are a persisting annoyance.

Camped here en route to boston. Only slept here (tent camp) and did not partake in any of the trails or anything. Was relatively quiet as far as people go but at night you could here traffic and jets. Warm showers but dirty bathrooms. A nice piece of nature amongst the city but not well maintained.

We camped there with three little girls two thru seven and had a great time. The trip was a warmup for a longer camping trip. Potty training was a little awkward but we managed. Bathhouses were clean and well maintained. People coming from out of town to see DC sites should note that while there are buses going yo the Metro on Greenbelt Road, it's way, way too far to walk from the campsites, and there is no place to park near the bus stop. You have to drive to the Metro station and pay to park.

As a native of northern Minnesota, I know ticks. So, I read the warnings with a grain of salt, thinking we'd be okay with Deet and "tick checks" at the end of the day. We reserved a campsite online, paid the fee, and traveled 10-miles to the park from our home with our three young kids. When we got to our site, we were very pleased by the convenience, restrooms, and privacy. We set up the tent, made lunch, and then embarked on a short hike. We started walking along the road, looking for the playground...about a mile later...we discovered TICKS. They were all over our clothes (which we'd sprayed with 25% Deet). I lost count at 30. And these were not run-of-the-mill dog ticks - they were teeny, tiny deer ticks, the species that transmits Lyme. We promptly vacated our campsite and went home to sleep. I still worry we didn't find all of them... My advice is to take the tick warning very seriously. You might be okay if you just stay at the campsite but I wouldn't venture away from the campsite. Also, Deet is not enough - use Permethrin on your clothing and tent (my husband used it on his clothing and hiked 2 miles with no ticks).

For people who want to visit Washington DC AND who love camping, consider camping at Greenbelt National Park, a very wooded campground that's 13 miles from the White House, and about a mile from the end of the DC metro's green line. Tent camping is $20/night ($10 for seniors), and RV and other forms of camping are also available. We plan to bring all three grandkids (5,6, and 8 years old now) up from NC for a week next June as soon as school is out, to see the Smithsonian Museums, monuments, etc.

Beautiful setting with a courteous ranger. Camp David makes more sense as a Natinal Park but there is the matter of security.

Our Troop has camped here 4-5 times and find it a very inexpensive place to stay with easy access via the METRO (Greenbelt Station $14 all day pass). Sites for scouts very big, picnic table at each as well as grill. Weekend check in/out on honor system. Heated rest rooms!

I took my toddler to Greenbelt Park because we are staying just across the road from it. I wasn't sure if there were a playground, and the website was down from the government shutdown (although we went on the day the government reopened, so the park was accessible). We managed to find a playground that had two play structures and some swings. Everything was covered in dew and/or leaves, so it wasn't a clean playground. But that's to be expected. When we parked there were deer nearby, which was very cool to see. They ran to a nearby field, so my daughter got to watch them some more. There were no other children there, and we stayed for over an hour.

advantage :verry near Washington DC.Washroom is correct.cheap night price.disadvantage:Minimum staff interaction and supervision.

this is a nice park; a green space nestled between busy highways, in essentially an urban setting. as a city or county park it would rate a solid 4, maybe even a 5. But it is now a 'national' park, and I do not see why it was upgraded. Being used to the great National Parks of the west, G'belt park pales in comparison. Constant traffic noise, no views, no scenery. Lots of pretty leafed trees in the right season, a nice ring trail for stretching out one's legs after a day in the office, shady picnic areas for an out-of-door lunch break; that's about all the attractions offered. Lots of deers come out to graze in the meadows as dusk falls. I first visited over 10 years ago, and in 10 years I see no changes to the park facilities, except the name. So, rating this as a 'national' park, I can only give 2 star (and it should probably be less). Spend a few hours in it, if you are in the area, but Rock Creek Park in the district (DC) is much nicer and varied.

This is a lovely park and has lots to offer like the other reviews have stated. But we took a boy scout troop there one year and the kids ended up ticks on them. One had mutliple ticks and got the bullseye mark. So make sure you are safe lyme disease in not fun.

Lovely place. Big park. Good, clean camping facilities. Lots of sites. This park could never be full. Right off of the beltway.....