Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
Designation:
Location: District of Columbia
📘 Park Overview
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."
🌤 Weather Information
June-September expect warm and humid weather. Average high temperatures are in the 80s, though often in the low 90s. On humid days, showers and thunderstorms often build in the late afternoon. July and August are the warmest months. The coldest month is January, with average daytime highs in the low 40s and overnight lows in the upper 20s.
🚗 Directions
The park is located in North East Washington D.C. south of route 50 and just off the 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. The park is within half a mile from the Deanwood Metro station on the orange line. There is free parking at the park.
Images
Lotus flowers bloom in many ponds during the hot humid summer months.
Credit: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez
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
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Saturday, Jun 6
Sunny
High: 99.3°F | Low: 65.7°F
Humidity: 48%
Wind: 10.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 7.3
Sunrise: 05:42 AM
Sunset: 08:30 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (54%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 72°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Jun 7
Patchy rain nearby
High: 89.7°F | Low: 66.8°F
Humidity: 67%
Wind: 12.5 mph
Rain Chance: 73%
UV Index: 9.2
Sunrise: 05:42 AM
Sunset: 08:30 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (43%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 70.5°F
Cloud Cover: 73%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Jun 8
Sunny
High: 81.9°F | Low: 62.3°F
Humidity: 58%
Wind: 9.8 mph
Rain Chance: 1%
UV Index: 9.5
Sunrise: 05:42 AM
Sunset: 08:31 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (33%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 63.7°F
Cloud Cover: 1%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Effective: Jun 6, 2026 2:28pm
Expires: Jun 6, 2026 2:38pm
Monitoring message only. Please disregard.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 6 at 1:43PM EDT until June 6 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Effective: Jun 6, 2026 1:43pm
Expires: Jun 6, 2026 8:00pm
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
278 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN MARYLAND THIS WATCH INCLUDES 5 COUNTIES
IN NORTH CENTRAL MARYLAND
CARROLL FREDERICK
WASHINGTON
IN WESTERN MARYLAND
ALLEGANY GARRETT
IN VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 2 COUNTIES
IN NORTHWEST VIRGINIA
CITY OF WINCHESTER
FREDERICK
IN WEST VIRGINIA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 5 COUNTIES
IN EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA
HAMPSHIRE MINERAL
IN PANHANDLE WEST VIRGINIA
BERKELEY JEFFERSON
MORGAN
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALBIN, ANTIOCH, BAKERTON,
BALLENGER CREEK, BERKELEY SPGS, BERRYVILLE, BLOOMERY, BRADY,
BUCKEYSTOWN, CEDAR GROVE, CHARLES TOWN, CUMBERLAND, ELDERSBURG,
ELLERSLIE, FORT ASHBY, FREDERICK, FRENCHBURG, FROSTBURG,
GAINESBORO, GAMBER, GRANTSVILLE, HAGERSTOWN, HALFWAY, HANCOCK,
HEADSVILLE, KEYSER, MAGNOLIA, MARTINSBURG, MCCOOLE, MIDDLEWAY,
MILLVILLE, MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK, NEW CREEK, OAKLAND, PARK MILLS,
PAW PAW, POINTS, PURGITSVILLE, RANSON, RAWLINGS, RIDGEVILLE,
ROMNEY, RUSSELLDALE, SHADY GROVE, SHENANDOAH JUNCTION,
SMITH CROSSROADS, SPRINGFIELD, THREE CHURCHES, WAPOCOMO,
WESTMINSTER, AND WINCHESTER.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Bird Walk
We invite you to join National Park Service volunteer and expert birder Molly Hermann for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!
Location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens: 1550 Anacostia Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. 20019
Date: Jul 5, 2022 12:00am to Jul 5, 2022 12:00am
Paid Event
Saturday Bird Walk
We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!
Date: Jan 3, 2026 12:00am to Jan 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
First Sunday Bird Walk
We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!
Date: Jan 4, 2026 12:00am to Jan 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunday Bird Walk
We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!
Date: Feb 8, 2026 12:00am to Feb 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunday Bird Walk
We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!
Date: Mar 8, 2026 12:00am to Mar 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunday Bird Walk
We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!
Date: Apr 5, 2026 12:00am to Apr 5, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Monthly Volunteer Event
Join us for a morning of stewardship volunteering at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens!
Space is limited for this event and pre-registration is required.
Participate in a variety of park stewardship activities including invasive plant removal, litter collection, flower bed weeding, trail maintenance and more. Some activities involve working in shallow ponds. This event will run rain or shine—please dress accordingly and plan to work outside!
All necessary tools and supplies will be provided, including gloves, boots, waders, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, trash bags, trash pickers, etc.. We recommend you bring a water bottle, snack, hat, bag/backpack, a change of clothes, and sun protection. Please wear clothes and shoes you aren't afraid to get wet or muddy and dress according to the weather. Please wear or bring long socks to wear inside of the waders/boots. We recommend that you do not wear jewelry.
Location: 1550 Anacostia Ave NE Washington, Maryland 20019
Date: Jun 27, 2026 12:00am to Jun 27, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
2026 Lotus and Lily Festival
2026 Lotus and Water Lilly Festival
Location: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 1550 Anacostia Avenue NE Washington, DC 20019
Date: Jul 18, 2026 12:00am to Jul 18, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunday Bird Walk
We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!
Date: Nov 8, 2026 12:00am to Nov 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunday Bird Walk
We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!
Date: Dec 6, 2026 12:00am to Dec 6, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
1550 Anacostia Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20019
🏤 Mailing Address:
1550 Anacostia Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20019
📞 Voice Phone: 771-208-1571
✉️ Email: keaq_visitorservices@nps.gov