Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapThe 3.5-mile Northeast Branch Trail forms one of many segments of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System in Prince George’s County. Connecting in the south with both the Anacostia River Trail into Washington, D.C., and the Northwest Branch Trail into Silver Spring, Maryland, and in the north with the Little Paint Branch Trail into Laurel, Maryland, the trail represents a well-traveled off-road route near College Park. The trail is also part of the Capital Trails Coalition, a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy project that aims to develop an 800-mile trail network connecting the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan region.
The Northeast Branch Trail follows the levee along—you guessed it—the Northeast Branch of the Anacostia River. Starting in the south from Bladensburg Waterfront Park in Hyattsville, head northeast following the Northeast Branch about 2 miles to the popular Riverdale Community Park, which has playgrounds, ball fields, restrooms, and a water fountain. One mile north, a short spur to the left connects to a trail parking lot and access to Campus Drive, which leads to the College Park–U of MD Metro Station on Metro’s Green Line; access the station by heading west on Campus Drive for 0.3 mile and turning right onto River Road.
The Northeast Branch Trail runs between Lake Artemesia (College Park) and the Anacostia River Trail (Bladensburg).
Parking is available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Es un sendero poco transitado, con tramos muy hermosos. Disfrute muchÃsimos caminarlo.
I rode the Paint Branch Trail starting at Cherry Hill Park, connected to the Northeast Branch Trail and then to the Anacostia Trail to arrive at Anacostia River Park and then returned.
After riding the Paint Branch Trail, I picked up the Northeast Branch Trail and headed south. The trail was asphalt all the way winding around the small airport and passing through a couple of parks before traveling along a levy to the starting point of the Anacostia River Trail. The trail was mostly smooth with a few mildly bumpy sections and one precarious dip through an underpass.
Ran this trail from RaceTrack Road Endpoint. There is a parking lot, right at the start of the trail. The trail is 5.5 miles, total. It is apparently at the end of the 5.5 miles, and heads towards Glendale/Lanham. The trail appears to be between neighborhoods, and you cross over a few bridges, following power lines. It is best to go right when it starts to get light out, in the summer, as I can imagine, it will be too dark before. Also, mid-day, it may be too hot, although the trail in some spots is shady. It is decent to run, nice and flat, not much to see but very peaceful.
I like to use this trail for a nice easy ride between Lake Artemesia in College Park and the Bladensburg Waterfront Park (about a mile past the beginning (mile 0) following the Anacostia River Trail), both beautiful locations to enjoy. It's less than 10 miles round trip. Personally, I like the long straightaway between about mile 0.5 and mile 1.5 which is kind of through an open field. It connects to several other trails in the Anacostia Tributary Trail System. Well paved and quiet with a couple small road crossings.
FYI - Trail marked as closed southbound just south of Decatur on 8/12/12. Appeared to be some sort of construction off in the distance, I didn't go down to check it out. Otherwise great trail.
_164155_nb.jpg)
_165699_nb.jpg)
_207334_nb.jpg)
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
