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River Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★ 6 Google reviews · Running trail in Washington, District of Columbia · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from River Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

River Trailhead — running trail in Washington, DC, photo 1
River Trailhead — running trail in Washington, DC, photo 2
River Trailhead — running trail in Washington, DC, photo 3
River Trailhead — running trail in Washington, DC, photo 4
River Trailhead — running trail in Washington, DC, photo 5
MixedOpen 24h

What runners say about River Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (6 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Visited 05.20.23 Chill connecting pathway between the Anacostia Trail and the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

★★★★★ — S.M. , May 2023

Wide, even trail. This is a short, 0.25 mile link between Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and the Anacostia River Trail. Lots of bike traffic. Trail goes through pleasant forest and marsh areas, but not great for views.

★★★★☆ — Joel , Jun 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 6 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🛣️ Paved surface

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🪵 Boardwalk

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Plan your run at River Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitenpplan.com
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find River Trailhead

1550 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019

Get directions

Running trails near Washington

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Kingman Island Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 40 reviews

Washington, DC

1.8 miles away

Kingman And Heritage Islands Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 305 reviews

Washington, DC

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Man-made island in the Anacostia River offering rustic trails & an annual bluegrass festival.

1.9 miles away

Melrose Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 35 reviews

Hyattsville, MD

2.3 miles away

Edmonston Veterans Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 20 reviews

Hyattsville, MD

2.5 miles away

David C. Driskell Community Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 424 reviews

Hyattsville, MD

Natural surfaceScenic

Sprawling neighborhood park featuring a playground and several sporting facilities.

2.6 miles away

38th Ave Neighborhood Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 200 reviews

Hyattsville, MD

Kid-friendly park offering a playground, basketball court and fitness stations.

2.7 miles away

All running trails in Washington, DC →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.