Sligo Creek Trail

The Sligo Creek Trail parallels the eponymous waterway from its confluence with the Northwest Branch in Hyattsville to just north of its origin in Wheaton in Montgomery County. Along the way, a number of footbridges cross back and forth over the creek, and picnic areas and playgrounds line the route.

Often referred to as one of the most scenic trails in the area, the Sligo Creek Trail also connects with many other trails in the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, in which it is a component. Begin your journey in Hyattsville, where the trail splits from the Northwest Branch Trail. 0.5 mile into the trek, the path runs through Green Meadows Park, which contains soccer fields, tennis courts and other athletic facilities. While the trail occupies a central location in the urbanized Maryland suburbs of the District of Columbia, you would never know it while passing through the quiet and heavily-wooded landscape.

A handful of neighborhood connector trails provide easy access for residents of the towns along the Sligo Creek Trail's route. After crossing busy New Hampshire Avenue/State Route 650, the trail parallels Sligo Creek Parkway/SR 787. On some nice days you might actually see more trail traffic than vehicular traffic on the road!

In Takoma Park, the trail passes directly behind Washington Adventist Hospital, and farther north, trail users will pass the property of Silver Spring's Holy Cross Hospital at I-495 (the Beltway). Meandering a couple of miles northward, the Sligo Creek Trail ends just south of the entrance to the impressive Wheaton Regional Park, which features a large playground, ice rink, fishing lake, many picnic shelters and even a merry-go-round and miniature train for the kids.

Parking for the Sligo Creek Trail can be found in Chillum at Green Meadows Park. Farther north, parking is available at the intersection of Sligo Creek Parkway and Houston Avenue in Takoma Park and just north of the intersection of Sligo Creek Parkway and Three Oaks Drive in Silver Spring. In Kemp Mill, park at the dedicated lot off Sligo Creek Parkway north of Dennis Avenue.