Trails

Prince George’s County has 165 miles of trail in our park system. Our trail network includes:

Paved multi-use trails for walking, biking, running, skating, routine transportation, daily exercise and weekend recreation (85 miles);
Natural surface trails for hiking, loving nature, mountain biking and horseback riding (47 miles);
Loop trails in neighborhood parks for walking, jogging, staying healthy and fit, and learning to ride a bike (33 miles, mostly paved); and,
Water trails along the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers for canoeing and kayaking.

Our trails traverse many settings. Urban and suburban greenways run through our stream valley parklands, rails-to-trails conversions follow the old trolley lines, and a mixed assortment of trails have been built in our regional parks and conservation lands.

Prince George’s park trails are great for family outings, hanging with friends, bird watching, getting access to fishing holes, exploring forests and wetlands, connecting to our history and decompressing from urban life.

Alerts

The Northwest Branch Trail near the West Hyattsville Metro Station was closed as of December 2018. A convenient detour route has been established along the Kirkwood Apartments through the Metrorail station and using Jamestown Road. Detour signs will be in place for the duration of the closure, scheduled for approximately 6-9 months.

See map for location of trail closure and detour routes (PDF)

The closure is required for a residential developer to provide compensatory floodwater storage to mitigate earthen fill required for the development. Between the Kirkwood Apartments and Queens Chapel Road, the developer will relocate and widen a section of the NW Branch Trail, resurface and widen another section, and provide lighting throughout; as well as trail connections from the development to the main trail.

As of April 2019,

Little Paint Branch Trail Extension

The 2.2 mile project (from Cherry Hill Road to Beltsville Community Center on Sellman Road) is 97% complete.
Final construction activities include, installing signs, striping and fencing.
Watch for announcement of a ribbon-cutting event.

Paint Branch Trail Flooding Issues

The existing Little Paint Branch Trail (just south of Cherry Hill Road) is being compromised by flood waters. In February, Environmental Quality Resources (EQR) stabilized 3 trail washout areas.
Small sections (10-30 feet) of pavement are missing, however, compacted dirt and gravel make these sections easily passable.
The trail underpass at US Route 1, near the University of Maryland, floods frequently and leaves the trail muddy and covered with debris. The underpass below the CSX railroad and Metrorail overpasses near Lake Artemesia, also floods frequently. Department of Parks and Recreation is aware of these problem areas. As the rainiest year on record in Prince George's County, these areas were constantly flooded. Maintenance staff worked to make them passable as soon after a flood event as possible; however, standing water and long periods of heavy rain resulted in a number of closures. Department of Parks and Recreation is working with local partners and consultants to seek short-term and long-term solutions at these locations. Each location has numerous government agencies/entities with jurisdiction, making matters extremely complicated.
The Henson Creek trail has areas where flooding has washed out the stream bank and trail pavement. Department of Parks and Recreation is working on repair strategies that will be long-lasting, as this trail has had numerous washouts over the past 10 to 15 years.

Trail Hours and Operations

Paved trails are open from dawn to dusk for pedestrians and recreational uses, unless lighting is provided and extended hours are posted.
For cyclists, who have a headlamp and are just passing through, new rules allow access on all paved trails from 5 am to midnight.
Natural surface trails are open from dawn to dusk, unless otherwise posted.
The Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail is policed by local police in Hyattsville, Riverdale Park and College Park.
Trails are not plowed or maintained for safe passage under snow and icy conditions.

Etiquette on the Trail
Tips to Stay Safe

Etiquette on the Trail

Be courteous to other trail users.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way.
Stay to the right; pass on the left.
When on roadways, remember to ride with traffic, but walk and run against traffic.
Bicyclists should ride at speeds that are safe for current conditions: generally 10-15 miles per hour.
Bicyclists stopping along the trail, should move off the pavement to avoid accidents and blocking the path for other users.
Pedestrians and cyclists traveling two-abreast must yield to on-coming and overtaking traffic.
When approaching or overtaking pedestrians, give courteous but audible, advance warning using voice, bell or horn to avoid startling.
With the exception of motorized wheelchairs, motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail.
Pets should be kept on a short leash, and people must clean up after their pets.
Horses should be kept on the grass shoulder, when possible.