TO DO: Canoe (or Kayak) the Anacostia!

Dog Days on the Anacostia!

Looking for a great fall outing? I just spent a beautiful early fall Sunday canoeing on the Anacostia River.  Despite all the bad press the Anacostia receives, we didn't see that much trash and the river was wonderfully scenic. We put the canoe in at Bladensburg Waterfront Park which is located just outside the District. There's a public access and free boat ramp at the Park as well as options for renting canoes and kayaks.  There are also pontoon boat tours, as well as bicycle and fishing tackle rental at the Park.  You can explore the sites along the Anacostia Tributary Trail System with a bike or by walking. 
For our excursion, we canoed a mile or so downstream to the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. We saw lots of Canada geese and mallards, as well as several egrets and great blue herons. I hope to canoe the Anacostia later in the Fall to catch all the changing colors...and then again in the spring when everything is in bloom.  Next time, I'll plan to take a net and a garbage bag to gather up some of the floating trash I find along the way.