National Park Service site · DC

Things to do in Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

The National Park Service lists 7 things to do at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens. 6 have no extra fee, 7 need no reservation, and 6 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

All (7) Hands-On (2)Junior Ranger Program (1)Hiking (1)Self-Guided Tours - Walking (1)Picnicking (1)Guided Tours (1)

a group of kids with a park ranger looking at antlers on a table. — Photo: NPS

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 center to pick up your book when you visit.

30-90 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Junior Ranger Program

Two National Park Service interns show their passport stamp collection at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens — Photo: NPS / Gabby Napolitano

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 National Capital Parks - East and collect a unique stamp at each one.

5-10 Minutes Year-round

Hands-On

Go Birding At Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens!

Open year-round, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens offers an excellent opportunity for birdwatching. The river, marshes, and hardwood trees offers a diverse habitat for finding birds. Over 240 birds have been sighted at the park!

1-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Hiking

Two Junior Rangers display their Junior Ranger badge collections at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens — Photo: NPS / Gabby Napolitano

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 certificates along the way!

30-90 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Hands-On

Orange Line - DC Metro

Discover lotus and lily flowers at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, or explore the many memorials just a short walk from the Orange Line.

1-2 Days Year-round Fee applies Pets allowed

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Picnic at Kenilworth

Relax and enjoy a picnic at Kenilworth Park! Continue the tradition of having a picnic breakfast or lunch that has been enjoyed by visitors to Kenilworth since the early 1900s.

1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Picnicking

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 preserve the forests, water quality, and recreation value of the waterways of Washington, DC.

1-8 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Guided Tours

Before you go

Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.

Things to do at nearby parks

Fort Dupont Park (DC)
Anacostia Park (DC)
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (DC)
National Capital Parks-East (DC)
Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site (DC)
Ford's Theatre National Historic Site (DC)

Sources

National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens — things to do on nps.gov