Take Transit to Trails and Visit the Nation's Capital for its 250th Year, MD

Trees stretch skyward, leaves rustle in the wind, and birdsong echoes all around. All this beauty and only 12 miles from the nation’s capital!

Welcome to Greenbelt Park, an urban oasis like no other! Part of National Capital Parks – East, its 1,100 acres of emerald paradise welcome people from all over the country and the world to experience its unique natural solace. Greenbelt is the only national park where you can camp within the greater DC area (year-round, too!) while its 10+ miles of hiking trails, 3 large picnic areas, annual campfire programs, and resident wildlife ensure amazing experiences for everyone.

Being such a popular park, its pathways see lots of activity, and after a while they do need some sprucing up. That’s why we’re inviting you to Greenbelt to help improve and enhance its hiking trails! During your time with us, you’ll rejuvenate and reshape trails damaged by storm washout and erosion, clear invasive and plant native vegetation, maintain signage, and much more.

But this opportunity isn’t all dirt and work; there’ll be time for sightseeing and exploring nearby parks as well as DC itself, right on time for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Greenbelt Park is eager to welcome you to experience serenity amidst suburbia while helping improve the land for all who engage with it. We hope to see you in 2026 for an unforgettable Volunteer Vacation!

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

Area and Attractions

Welcome to Greenbelt Park, an urban oasis like no other! Part of National Capital Parks – East, its 1,100 acres of emerald paradise welcome people from all over the country and the world to experience its unique natural solace. Greenbelt is the only national park where you can camp within the greater DC area (year-round, too!) while its 10+ miles of hiking trails, 3 large picnic areas, annual campfire programs, and resident wildlife ensure amazing experiences for everyone. But this opportunity isn't all dirt and work; there'll be time for sightseeing and exploring nearby parks as well as DC itself, right on time for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will stay in reserved campsites at Greenbelt Park’s campground. There are bathrooms with flush toilets within walking distance of campsites, heated showers, potable water dispensers, and fire pits with grills. The campground also has trash and recycling collection, on-site staff, an activity amphitheater, and a dump station. The nearby ranger station has a kitchen, a washer, and a dryer. Across from the ranger station, the visitor center has a water bottle filling machine, accessible bathrooms with flush toilets, a phone, First Aid supplies, historical and interpretive information/exhibits, maps, a Ranger or other staff member present, Junior Ranger Booklets, a small parking lot, and trash/litter receptacles. Additionally, there is fairly good cell phone reception in the park but no Wifi. One can access local public Wi-Fi 2 miles outside the park, and the Greenbelt Library 3 miles from the campground has internet and computer access. Volunteers need to bring their own tent and personal camping gear; sheets, bedding or sleeping bag; towels; and personal cup, bowl, mug, and eating utensils.

Registration Link: https://americanhiking.org/volunteer-vacation-trip/take-transit-to-trails-and-visit-the-nations-capital-for-its-250th-year-md/