Anacostia River Water Trail Guide
Anacostia River. Photo by Joe Smith/courtesy Anacostia Watershed Society
Download The Guide
Click here to download the Anacostia River Water Trail Guide
Flowing through the heart of the nation’s capital, the Anacostia River is a historic gem waiting to be discovered. Since the summer of 1608 when English explorer Captain John Smith became its first European visitor and met Native Americans on its shores, the Anacostia River has been an important part of the American story.
The Anacostia River Water Trail Guide gives history buffs, nature-lovers and modern-day explorers a chance to paddle, hike, bike or drive down the Anacostia and experience the natural landscape that captivated John Smith. Complete with maps and trails, the guide highlights historical, cultural, natural and recreational points of interest on or adjacent to the river, such as the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, the National Arboretum, an osprey nesting platform and Bladensburg Waterfront Park.
The guide was produced by the Anacostia Watershed Society, The Conservation Fund and Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail with financial support from the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.
Anacostia River On Google Earth
If you would like a closer look at the recreational and historic sites along the Anacostia River, download this annotated map using Google Earth.
(Note: You must have Google Earth downloaded on your computer to view the interactive map. Google Earth is free, download it here.)