Is there an entrance fee at Anacostia Park?

NPS lists Anacostia Park as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee.

What are the hours at Anacostia Park?

Per NPS, the park is open daily from 6 am until 10 pm. The Skating Pavilion has matching hours.

Can I bring my dog to Anacostia Park?

Where pets are allowed, NPS requires a leash of six feet or shorter, or a crate or cage. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches.

Are skate rentals free at Anacostia Park?

NPS says free skate rentals are offered at the Skating Pavilion. The booth is listed as closed for the season starting November 1, 2026.

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Anacostia Park: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee: None^[1]

Anacostia Park is a unit of the National Park System in the District of Columbia^[2]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee^[1].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Anacostia Park^[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

Per NPS, the park is open daily from 6 am until 10 pm^[3]. NPS describes mild spring weather with flower blooms, and hot, humid summers^[4]. Fall cools down and the leaves change color, while winter is cold and temperatures may drop below freezing^[4]. The Skating Pavilion has the same daily hours of 6 am to 10 pm^[5]. Its free skate rental booth runs on a seasonal schedule, with Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm from September 2 to October 31, 2026^[6]. The booth is listed as closed for the season from November 1, 2026 until Memorial Day, May 31, 2027^[6].

Pets and dogs

The national NPS rule says pets must be crated, caged or on a leash of six feet or shorter wherever they are allowed^[7]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted^[7]. NPS lists pets as permitted on 5 of the 7 things to do here, and each park can close more areas to pets^[8]^[7].

Before you go

NPS lists no entrance fee for this park^[1].
Hours and rental schedules are what NPS lists now, so confirm on the official park page before you go^[3]^[6].
The skate rental booth is closed on Mondays from September 2 to October 31, 2026^[6].
Last skate rentals are handed out 30 minutes before closing^[6].
NPS lists activities such as biking, paddling, fishing and picnicking^[9].

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee at Anacostia Park?: NPS lists Anacostia Park as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee^[1].
What are the hours at Anacostia Park?: Per NPS, the park is open daily from 6 am until 10 pm^[3]. The Skating Pavilion has matching hours^[5].
Can I bring my dog to Anacostia Park?: Where pets are allowed, NPS requires a leash of six feet or shorter, or a crate or cage^[7]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches^[7].
Are skate rentals free at Anacostia Park?: NPS says free skate rentals are offered at the Skating Pavilion^[6]. The booth is listed as closed for the season starting November 1, 2026^[6].

Facts and sources

NPS lists Anacostia Park as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
Anacostia Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: Park) in the District of Columbia. National Park Service
Operating hours, Anacostia Park: Open: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily National Park Service
NPS weather and seasons overview for Anacostia Park. National Park Service
Operating hours, Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion: Open daily 6 am–10 pm. Free skate rentals vary by season — see rental booth hours for details. National Park Service
Operating hours, Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion: Skate Rental Booth: Free Skate Rental: Memorial Day through Labor Day, Sunday–Wednesday 9 am–5 pm and Thursday–Saturday 9 am–8 pm. September 2–October 31, 2026, rentals will be available Tuesday–Sunday 9... National Park Service
National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
NPS lists 7 things to do at Anacostia Park: Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East, Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps, Go Roller Skating, Paddle the Anacostia Water Trail, Bike the Anacostia River Trail, Sports... National Park Service
Activities NPS lists for Anacostia Park: Biking, Road Biking, Boating, Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, Food, Picnicking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Paddling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Playground, Team Sports, Wildlife Watching. National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.