Picnicking at Anacostia Park
See the Park Map for picnic area locations.
Anacostia Park has individual picnic tables and covered pavilions, and given the huge number of amenities, there are few National Park units that offer a better place to picnic. There is a swimming pool, plenty of fields for kids to play, a paved multi-use trail suitable for all ages and walking abilities, and a skating rink where you can get free skates during the summer season. Guests can even go fishing from the banks of the Anacostia River.
Random picnic tables are scattered all along Anacostia Drive, the main road through the southern end of the park. There are no grills at these tables, but you are welcome to bring your own charcoal grill—no gas stand-up or table-top grills allowed. See the official Anacostia Park Rules and Regulations web page for a complete list of rules.
Picnic tables along Anacostia Drive
There is a cluster of three pavilions with grills located along Nicholson Road, one of the entrances into the park. Two are connected together and the other is on its own. Two different groups could picnic here, though they’d be pretty close to each other. These are available on a first come, first served basis.
Single pavilion at Nicholson Road
There is a single, covered pavilion at River Terrace Park near the intersection of Benning Road and Anacostia Avenue. A grill is available, but you can always bring your own. This pavilion can be reserved with a required permit. The use of the facility if technically free, but there is a fee for the permit ($50 at the time of this writing). For information, visit the official Permits and Reservations web page for Anacostia Park.
Pavilion at River Terrace Park
Large groups can also reserve the picnic tables at the North Field. As with the River Terrace Park pavilion, a permit is required. Unless reserved, all tables are taken on a first come, first served basis.
For more information on reserving areas for picnicking, call the park at (202) 472-3884.
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Last updated on April 25, 2020
