Top 6 Lakes around College Park

Lake Artemesia offers a variety of activities including hiking, running, and biking on its 1.35-mile paved hiker-biker trail, which is part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System. It's also a popular spot for fishing, with handicapped-accessible fishing piers, and features scenic aquatic gardens. You can explore more about this highlight here: Lake Artemesia.

Yes, the Patuxent Research Refuge is a significant natural area covering over 12,000 acres. It's one of the biggest forested areas in the mid-Atlantic and is home to diverse plant and wildlife species, including large flocks of migratory birds in fall and spring. It also features trails around Lake Cash and Lake Redington.

Both Lake Artemesia and Pine Lake are popular for fishing. Lake Artemesia has accessible fishing piers, while Pine Lake is regularly stocked with fish like largemouth bass, bluegill, and rainbow trout. Remember to have the proper fishing license.

Yes, Pine Lake, located within Wheaton Regional Park, offers amenities like playgrounds and walking trails, making it suitable for families. Buddy Attick Lake Park also features a playground and well-maintained facilities around Greenbelt Lake.

You'll find a variety of trails. Lake Artemesia has a 1.35-mile paved hiker-biker trail. Buddy Attick Lake Park offers a flat trail encircling Greenbelt Lake. For more extensive options, you can explore easy hikes around College Park, including routes like the Little Paint Branch Park and Bike Path or the Greenbelt Lake Trail loop. Find more details on these routes here: Easy hikes around College Park.

Absolutely. For running, you can find routes like the Lake Artemesia loop from College Park. If you're into mountain biking, trails such as the Crowsfoot and Viper Loop Trail are available. Discover more running trails here: Running Trails around College Park, and mountain biking trails here: MTB Trails around College Park.

Lake Artemesia has a rich history. While the current 38-acre lake was constructed in the late 1980s during the Washington Metro's Green Line completion, a smaller, pre-existing lake on the site, formed from 19th-century stone quarrying, was also named Lake Artemesia. The area was also once home to a significant portion of the Lakeland community, an African-American community that became part of College Park.

Yes, Lake Artemesia features handicapped-accessible fishing piers. Additionally, the Patuxent Research Refuge is noted as being wheelchair accessible, offering paths and facilities for all visitors.

Buddy Attick Lake Park is a great spot for wildlife observation. Visitors often see great blue herons, various songbirds, turtles, foxes, and squirrels along the flat trail encircling Greenbelt Lake.

Many of the lake parks offer facilities. Lake Artemesia has picnic tables and parking, with restrooms sometimes available. Buddy Attick Lake Park provides restrooms and picnic areas. The Patuxent Research Refuge also has a visitor center with restrooms and other amenities.

Spring and fall are particularly rewarding for nature viewing. During these seasons, the Patuxent Research Refuge sees huge flocks of migratory birds. The mixed deciduous forests around Lake Artemesia also offer vibrant foliage in the fall and new growth in the spring, enhancing birdwatching and general wildlife observation.

While specific dog policies can vary by park, many natural areas in Prince George's County generally allow dogs on trails if they are kept on a leash. It's always best to check the specific regulations for each park, such as Lake Artemesia or Buddy Attick Lake Park, before your visit.