Lake Needwood Rock Creek Regional Park
A 75-acre boating and fishing lake in Rock Creek Regional Park, offering scenic trails, picnic spots, and family-friendly activities.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Boat rentals available!
Lake Needwood Rock Creek Regional Park
Best Time
Boat rentals available!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 75-acre boating and fishing lake in Rock Creek Regional Park, offering scenic trails, picnic spots, and family-friendly activities.
"Beautiful scenic lake surrounded by forest and hiking trails in the midst of urban area; well maintained facilities."
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy this beautiful park and its amenities without any entry fee.
Bring a Trail App 📱
The wooded part of the Westside Loop can be tricky; a navigation app is helpful.
Quick Facts
Rating
4.7 · 242 reviews
Type
Natural Feature
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Lake Needwood Westside Loop
Derwood, Maryland
A 2.6-mile loop with diverse scenery, from lush woodlands to serene lakeside strolls. Perfect for all seasons.
Boating and Fishing
Lake Needwood
Enjoy a day on the water with boat rentals available on weekends and holidays. Fishing is also a popular activity.
Picnic Areas with Grills
Various locations throughout the park
Numerous picnic spots with benches and grills, some even offering power outlets. Ideal for family gatherings.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Best Time for Picnics & Boating
Trail Navigation Tips
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy this beautiful park and its amenities without any entry fee.
Bring a Trail App 📱
The wooded part of the Westside Loop can be tricky; a navigation app is helpful.
Stroller-Friendly Trails 👍
The main trails are well-maintained and suitable for strollers.
Pack for a Picnic 🧺
Plenty of picnic areas with grills, some with power. Great for a day out.
Tips
from all over the internet
Free Admission! 🎉
Enjoy this beautiful park and its amenities without any entry fee.
Bring a Trail App 📱
The wooded part of the Westside Loop can be tricky; a navigation app is helpful.
Stroller-Friendly Trails 👍
The main trails are well-maintained and suitable for strollers.
Pack for a Picnic 🧺
Plenty of picnic areas with grills, some with power. Great for a day out.
Check Boat Rental Times 🚤
Last boat rental is 4:30 PM, return by 6:00 PM. Operates weekends/holidays.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Lake Needwood for its beautiful, scenic lake surrounded by forests and well-maintained trails, making it a peaceful escape within the urban area. The abundance of picnic areas with grills and family-friendly amenities are frequently highlighted as major positives. Some find the wooded trail sections a bit tricky to navigate without a map.
"Beautiful park with clean amenities overlooking a splendid lake. Nice easy trail including with strollers 🤗. Lots of picnic areas with grills and some with power outlets"
zoubida kherous
"Beautiful scenic lake surrounded by forest and hiking trails in the midst of urban area; well maintained facilities, lot of picnic areas with picnic benches and grills, pavilion for reservation for special events. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking."
Han Hoang
"Beautiful parka love the trail"
Meheret
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Lake Needwood is located at 6700 Needwood Rd, Derwood, MD 20855. While the trailhead isn't accessible by public transportation, you can easily reach it via Uber or your own vehicle. Ample parking is available. +1
Yes, ample parking is available throughout the park, making it easy to access the trails and amenities.
Unfortunately, the trailhead is not directly accessible by public transportation. It's best to drive or use a ride-sharing service.
The main address for Lake Needwood is 6700 Needwood Rd, Derwood, MD 20855. Another entrance is at 15700 Needwood Lake Cir, Derwood, MD 20855. +1
Yes, Lake Needwood is a part of the larger Rock Creek Regional Park. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the entrance to Lake Needwood and Rock Creek Regional Park is completely free! You can enjoy the park's natural beauty and amenities without any admission cost.
The general park hours are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Boat rentals have specific operating times.
While many picnic areas are first-come, first-served, pavilions are available for reservation for special events.
Boat rentals are operational on weekends and holidays from May until early September. The last rental starts at 4:30 PM and must be returned by 6:00 PM.
Yes, fishing is one of the activities available at Lake Needwood. +1
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can enjoy hiking on scenic trails, boating, fishing, picnicking with grills, and there are also playgrounds for children. Archery practice is also mentioned. +1
Yes, the trails, particularly the Westside Loop, are described as well-maintained and suitable for strollers, making it a great option for families.
It's a 2.6-mile loop offering a mix of woodland and lakeside scenery. It's beginner-friendly but the wooded section can be tricky to navigate without a trail app.
Yes, the park offers areas with games and playgrounds for children.
Yes, pavilions are available for reservation for special events, offering a great space for gatherings.
📸 📸 Photography
The park offers scenic views of the lake, surrounding forests, and opportunities for wildlife photography. Autumn colors and spring blossoms are particularly beautiful.
Absolutely! The combination of the lake, woodlands, and changing seasons provides excellent opportunities for landscape photography.
The natural setting of the park makes it a good location for wildlife photography, though sightings can vary.
Expect picturesque views of the 75-acre lake, dense forests, and walking trails that change beautifully with the seasons.
Yes, autumn brings beautiful fall colors to the park, making it a prime time for photography. +1
Social
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