About This Park
Deep within Kenilworth lies an oasis, hidden behind trees and cattails. It's a place where beavers build their homes and turtles sleep on logs. Lotus blooms rise from the muck and lilies sit on the water. The wind dances with the dragonflies, rustling through the trees, carrying the song of the birds until it brushes across your face, fading to a whisper, saying "come join."
Activities
Current Alerts
Vehicle Weight Limit at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Entrance
Due to structural conditions at the driveway entrance, access to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens main entrance and parking lot is limited to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 16,000 pounds or less.
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Photos
As the seasons change, so do the colors around the ponds which can be seen as reflections on the water.
Credit: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez.
As the temperatures warm up during spring and summer months many reptiles including turtles can be seen basking in the sun on logs, tree stumps or the banks of the ponds.
Credit: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez.
The summer blooms in and around the ponds attract many photographers and artist from around the world.
Credit: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez
The wetlands and marsh habitat many shore birds and they can be seen wading in and around the ponds for food.
Credit: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez
Plan Your Visit
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Visitor Centers
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is an ideal place to begin your visit. Restrooms are located here as well as orientation brochures. A small room of exhibit panels provides a brief overview of the history of the gardens and its key plants. Those with children should ask about the Junior Ranger program. The gift shop offers a variety of items for the nature enthusiast. Passport Stamps can be found at this Visitor Center.
1550 Anacostia Ave NEWashington, DC 20019
Operating Hours
The park is located in North East Washington D.C. south of route 50 and Baltimore Washington Parkway. The park is also within the D.C. Kenilworth community and the Anacostia river runs along the park boundary. Interstate 295 runs parallel to the park.
More detailsVisitor Center
The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is an ideal place to begin your visit. Restrooms are located here as well as orientation brochures. A small room of exhibit panels provides a brief overview of the history of the gardens and its key plants. Those with children should ask about the Junior Ranger program. The gift shop offers a variety of items for the nature enthusiast. Passport Stamps can be found at this Visitor Center.
1550 Anacostia Ave NEWashington, DC 20019
Operating Hours
The park is located in North East Washington D.C. south of route 50 and Baltimore Washington Parkway. The park is also within the D.C. Kenilworth community and the Anacostia river runs along the park boundary. Interstate 295 runs parallel to the park.
More detailsThings to Do
Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East
Become a Junior Ranger at parks across National Capital Parks – East! Explore, complete a booklet, and earn badges and c...
Duration: 30-90 Minutes
Learn more
Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps
Start your stamp collection and celebrate every park you visit! Explore historic sites and scenic parks managed by Natio...
Duration: 5-10 Minutes
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Orange Line - DC Metro
Discover lotus and lily flowers at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, or explore the many memorials just a short walk fr...
Duration: 1-2 Days
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Take a walk through Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
Sparkling in the sun on a breezy day, this natural area of Anacostia Park has origins in a 1926 act of Congress to prese...
Duration: 1-8 Hours
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Become a Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Junior Ranger
Kids of all ages can become a junior ranger at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Find a park ranger or stop by the visitor cen...
Duration: 30-90 Minutes
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Picnic at Kenilworth
Relax and enjoy a picnic at Kenilworth Park! Continue the tradition of having a picnic breakfast or lunch that has been ...
Duration: 1-2 Hours
Learn morePart of the 9/11 Trail
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is one of the National Park Service sites connected by the 9/11 National Memorial Trail, a 1,500+ mile pathway of remembrance linking the three 9/11 memorial sites.
Park information provided by the National Park Service. Data refreshed daily.