Where to Kayak in Washington, DC

A running list of my favorite places to paddle in and around the rivers and creeks of DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

You’ll want to head to the end for my number one favorite place to kayak – I saved the best for last.

I’m still learning more great places to launch my boat all the time, so this list will be regularly updated and is not meant to be comprehensive.

Georgetown Waterfront – Key Bridge Boathouse

Northwest, DC | Potomac River

This place holds a special spot in my heart because it’s the first place I kayaked, ever. It’s very easy to rent kayaks here with some friends and get out on the water with little preparation, and you get some great views while you paddle.

Equipment: Kayaks for rent. You might also be able to launch your own kayak here for a small fee.
Cost: Medium-high, due to neighborhood location.
Scenery: Beautiful! Monuments, Key Bridge, Georgetown, and the Potomac itself.
Launch space: Staff will help you in and out from the dock. Very easy.
Water quality: Decent. Not good for swimming, but pretty.
Transportation: Accessible by bus, bike, walking, or car. Limited parallel parking – there is no parking lot.
Nearby activities: Everything in Georgetown!
Nearby food: Tons of restaurants in walking distance.

Navy Yard Waterfront – Ballpark Boathouse

Southeast, DC | Anacostia River, feeds into Potomac

Right by Nats Stadium, this spot is very accessible for those without a car and makes rentals easy.

Equipment: Kayaks for rent. You might also be able to launch your own kayak here for a small fee.
Cost: Medium-high, due to neighborhood location.
Scenery: Beautiful! Monuments, bridge views, the ballpark, and the river itself.
Launch space: Staff will help you in and out from the dock. Very easy.
Water quality: Decent. Not good for swimming. Trash accumulates on the shores.
Transportation: Accessible by bus, metro, bike, walking, or car. Limited parallel parking – there is no free parking lot, but you can pay to park nearby.
Nearby activities: Nats games, breweries, Navy Yard splash park.
Nearby food: Tons of restaurants in walking distance.

The Wharf Boathouse

Southwest, DC | Potomac River, Washington Channel

Another spot right among the bustling waterfront that is accessible for those without a car and makes rentals easy.

Equipment: Kayaks for rent. Unclear if you can launch your own here.
Cost: Medium-high, due to neighborhood location.
Scenery: You’ll mostly see all the commercial businesses on the Wharf, but there will be views of nearby Hains Point, too.
Launch space: Staff will help you in and out from the dock.
Water quality: Decent. Not good for swimming. Busy with lots of large boats.
Transportation: Accessible by bus, metro, bike, walking, or car. Limited parallel parking – there is no free parking lot, but you can pay to park nearby.
Nearby activities: Walking and exploring The Wharf, shopping.
Nearby food: Tons of restaurants in walking distance.

Potomac Palisades – Fletchers Cove Boathouse

Northwest, DC | Potomac River

This location is past Georgetown and a little outside the busy city. It’s nestled right along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath, so you can bike directly there. This part of the river is beautiful, with steep slopes on the western side, a waterfall, and some nice plant and wildlife. Access by car is a little treacherous.

Equipment: Kayaks for rent. You can also launch your own kayak from the shore.
Cost: Reasonable, not stingy about return times for rentals.
Scenery: Beautiful! Rocks, trees, forest, waterfalls, anglers (people fishing).
Water quality: Decent. Wouldn’t swim, but it’s pretty.
Transportation: By bike or a long walk along the C&O Canal – great. By car – the driving entrance is a nightmare. There is free parking, but I’m not sure I would ever drive there again due to the dangerous single car width entrance road and confusing signals.
Nearby activities: Walking paths, fishing, biking. Path connects to Great Falls Park on the Maryland side.
Nearby food: They sell snacks at the boathouse! You’d have to drive, walk, or bike back to the Palisades neighborhood for more substantial food.

Bladensburg Waterfront Park

Northeast, DC | Anacostia River, feeds into Potomac

What I love about this park is that you can park really close to the kayak launch (making equipment transport easy), the launch is easy to use, there is a hose for rinsing off your kayak when you’re done, I’ve seen a ton of eagles and osprey here, and it’s close to my neighborhood. There are also some downsides, as I outline below.

Equipment: Kayaks and canoes for rent. You can also launch your own kayak from the docks for free.
Cost: Reasonable.
Scenery: Great wildlife (mostly bird) viewing! Eagles, osprey, herons, cranes. Even some deer. The trees are lovely as well.
Water quality: Majority of the time – not very good. The water has smelled bad and/or looked bad on numerous occasions that I’ve visited. For this reason, it’s out of my rotation now. But I miss the convenience of it.
Transportation: The park is connected to the Anacostia River Trail, so you can bike or take a long walk to get here. Driving is most convenient when coming from DC proper.
Nearby activities: The park has picnic areas, walking paths, fishing areas, and educational information.
Nearby food: You would need to leave the park and check out a nearby neighborhood for food. None sold in the park.

Occoquan Regional Park – Lorton, VA

30 minute drive south of DC | Occoquan River, feeds into Potomac

I saved the best for last – this is my current favorite place to kayak! There is plenty of free parking, I can launch my own kayak for free, but there are rentals for friends who don’t own one, the views from the river are beautiful, and it’s so peaceful! Worth the drive.

Equipment: Kayaks for rent. You can also launch your own kayak from the shore for free.
Cost: Reasonable.
Scenery: Gorgeous – the river is pretty, the forest surrounding it is pretty, I always see cool birds like eagles, osprey, herons, and cranes. And there are some lovely houses along the river.
Water quality: Usually pretty good, although after a rainy period, there is more sediment.
Transportation: You will need a car to get here, unless you live nearby and can bike or walk.
Nearby activities: There are many walking paths, picnic areas, a batting cage, and other things to explore here. The park also has a wedding venue space, and Suffrage memorial.
Nearby food: The park itself has a cafe with great lunch options. There are waterfront restaurants in the area, like Madigan’s.