Lake Artemesia Natural Area

This lake was a vibe. I’d come back! Peep the photos I took, gorgeous views. No bathrooms though. Enjoy!

Came back today (10/13/2024) to revisit this park. It is about 90 acres with 38 acres of lake area. It has a good balance of man-made facilities and nature. Paved paths and clean restrooms. You can walk, run, or ride bikes. You also see people fishing from piers. During summer, there are large areas of lotus displaying beautiful leaves and flowers. Parking is free, but the parking lot is relatively small. On a busy day, you may find it challenging to find a parking space. A good park to relax and enjoy!

My mom introduced me to this beautiful natural area. It features two lakes, a long walking path, playground, and restrooms. There's also some artwork, we saw a sculpture and mural. We didn't walk all the way around but you can definitely get your exercising in. Wonderful place!

Very nice place for a quiet walk. I came here for the first time on a Saturday morning (mid March) around 11am, and there were not too many people. The weather was around mid 60s. Many plants did not bloom yet. I can imagine it being very beautiful here later in spring and summer. Would definitely come back here with the family. Parking: the parking lot is smaller than expected, but I noticed some cars park on the road alongside the parking lot also. Bathrooms: there are public restrooms as you walk further down the walking trail, a little ways pass the cute little gym/exercise area for adults. Bike path: there are different paths/trails. The shorter paved trail is simply around the lake. The bike path splits from the main trail. Sitting benches and pagodas: it was neat that throughout the trail, there were areas to sit and rest. Stroller friendly. Many dog walkers too! People fish here too!

Was pleasantly surprised by the signs and how well written and informative it was. It included old photos and anecdotes from the past and it was cool to walk the same paths and use the same gazebos as so many namesake people from around the Maryland area. The lilie pads even out of season were breaking and the view as sunset was so rich and rustic against the fall colors. A must for brisk fall walks

A wonderful place to relax, exercise and enjoy nature there are many trails and lots of benches to sit and relax and take in the different views. There is times when it can be crowded on the trails but everyone seems to get along.

The place is great, just don't let your children get close to the water, because unfortunately this afternoon we had to witness an alligator. I hope this video helps in some way.

I have always loved coming here. It's been awhile but the lake as always is well maintained, beautiful scenery and the occasional glimpse of fish in the pond, ducks, deer, etc. I brought my children here so I could get some walking in as they rode their scooters. They had a great time being able to explore nature here. Next time we'll bring lunch and sit under one of several gazebos.

My thankful Thursday goes to Lake Artemisia. This place is beautiful. When they say some of the best things in life are free! I agree. The loop is roughly 2.4 miles, it's paved and clean; I've never seen litter or trash lying around. The lake was also home to a historical African American community called Lakeland established in 1890. Walking the park you'll see a few plaques and markers with brief history. Many years ago the citizens of this segregated society, developed their own institutions and cultural traditions, including the area's only high school for African Americans, built in 1928. There is a Lakeland Community Heritage Project that was created to preserve its history and the stories of its people through photographic archives and now the Lakeland College Park Community Center. Thankful that this is a peaceful place to run, walk, ride my bike, or simply sit and reflect. Greenery unique to the area is the mimosa trees that bloom in the summer and the giant reed grass surrounding the lake. Parks & Planning along with other organizations also hosts activities like birdwatching and community walks . In addition to this, there is a small playground and ergonomic gym. Lovely in every season and rich in American history, Lake Artemisia is the beating heart to lots of people in the Greenbelt community. Let's love, honor, and cherish Her for generations to come! #ThankfulThursdays

A hidden chunk of wilderness in the Burbs, Lake Artemisia was created by a land swap when the Metro green line was built. Miles of paved trails surround the lake, delightful for strolling, biking, or being walked by your dog. Gazebos galore, piers for fishing (license required), and lots of birds to watch and hear. A couple of tips: no water fountains, so byob. The park is on the south side of New Hampshire Avenue, but you have to turn north, then circle under New Hampshire and through an industrial area to reach the small parking lot. I got 4700 steps in today, and I'm sure there are many more to come.

Large park! We camped pit on a bench facing the water, brought snacks and a football, and completely enjoyed ourselves. Will return!

My outdoor workout spot of choice near College Park, Lake Artemesia's walking trails loop, overlap, and trail off perfectly. This variety offers you freedom as you exercise because you can loop quickly or take your time meandering. I love coming to sit in the gazebos, stroll around the lake, or to grab an ice cream from an ice cream truck while my boyfriend plays Pokémon Go. Make sure you check it out for yourself, no matter the season! There's a dock, gazebos, benches, and an outdoor fitness machine area.

I love this place. The path is endless and the activities go an infinite way. I have gone from praying there all the way to taking photo shoots there.

I was in town for a visit and searched different walking trails and parks. This one looked nice. Snow had come through a couple nights before so I was interested in seeing how it looked. It was so beautiful! The frozen lake with the geese on it, the trails and just natural beauty all around. I highly recommend checking it out!

Lake Artemesia is a nice park serving the Greenbelt, Berwyn Heights, College Park, and other areas among Northern PG County, Maryland. The park has a long entrance way after the different blue collar businesses and residential areas in Berwyn Heights. There is a gate that you walk to the side of and then can see the pond and walking path. The walking trail consists of a large circular path with segments, that can take you to University of Maryland and even the College Park airport and Berwyn Heights communities which are more wooded. The main circular area lacks tree coverage and is not as pleasant during summer months, when it can be really hot, humid, and uncomfortable in the DMV. I personally like coming here during the fall and spring months. People like to picnic, walk, job, roller skate, and bicycle here. A gripe I have though are non courteous bicyclists that do not practice common courtesy and let you know they are coming either through horn, whislte, or even letting you know which is annoying. There had been lanes dedicated to the bicyclists, but they do tend to run this park a bit of bikes out and in the way here. Some of the visitors are a bit weird and socially awkward also, so the undesirable people have me lower the overall rating of an otherwise nice park. The park can also feel a little crowded and congested in certain areas certain days and times, and the parking lots can be full with you resorting to park on the street. The metal boardwalk is loud and the fishing people can crowd these areas making it not pleasant and a little uneasy with those hooks all around. The park can feel crammed at the metal boardwalks with other visitors at times. PG Parks and Recreation have done a splendid job with upgrading the benches and gazebos; they cannot help it if jerks write grafitti and deface the property, but they did their part. The new exercise playground was a nice investment and is a nice addition to the park. There should be some water activities like kayaking, canoeing more of which would be nice. Lake Artemesia is a solid park and a nice addition to Northern PG County, but some of the visitors hold it back, also a little more tree coverage would be nicer on the main circle, as would people respecting eachother's boundaries and having more manners and respect which would go a long ways out here!

A picturesque loop that leads to many trails, really describes the serene feel of being surrounded by a nature filled lake. I love walking by myself or with a friend but others jog or bike. The loop is dog friendly and the gazebos are great for picnics. One of the hidden gems for me, is the view of the Green Line train traveling nearby. The lake is well maintained. Be sure to obey all parking signs, Berwyn Heights police heavily enforce the area. Treat yourself!

This is a spacious, public nature area that's good for many outdoor activities. I come here to do leisurely walks on the trail and to bird. I try to visit 3-4 times a year to witness the change in seasons; been doing that for 20 years or more. The fall foliage is very pleasant at Lake Artemesia right now; one of the warmest in recent memory too. I try to come early in the morning, as the day goes on, the crowds increase. During the pandemic, this place has been discovered! And that's a fine thing. There's a moderately-sized parking lot and if full, parking is possible on the street. It's open from sunrise to sunset. A big salute to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission who maintains this area as well as to the other institutions who have contributed their support over the years to help develop and improve Lake Artemesia so that all of us can enjoy it.

This used to be one of my favorite places on Earth. The year was 2012, and the best moments of my life were spent with my then fiancé, snapping wildlife photographs at this 38-acre lake just off of Greenbelt Road in Berwyn Heights, Maryland. Sometimes, I would inch as close as I could to the shoreline, where great egrets and great blue herons would thrust their bills downward to spear fish before flipping them into the air to initiate the process of swallowing them whole. Coots would race in tandem across the water's surface like water striders with speedboat motors; and mergansers and wood ducks would begin the longest tutoring session of their lives, teaching their young how to survive. But our greatest joy came every January, when much of the lake was coated by a thick blanket of ice, when we crouched by one of two painstakingly cultivated mounds of brush and wood to listen to the mewling cries of beaver pups as one of their parents carried muddy logs some humans might struggle with carrying and laid them with care against the pile. But then someone in park management made the decision to dismantle both beaver mounds, including the one on the shore, and to relocate the beavers. We had seen as many as thirteen beavers in an hour before, but afterwards we were lucky to just see one. As scientific research and multiple documentaries have shown, the presence of even a single beaver, not to mention a thriving beaver community, helps an entire ecosystem to thrive. In this case, a paradise for wildlife and wildlife photographers was taken away unnecessarily from the public; and what is left in its place is a husk of what once existed. Please don't take this the wrong way. Lake Artemesia is still enjoyed by many as a wonderful verdant green space for birdwatchers, cyclists, runners, and families; and we are happy about that. However, for us, we will always mourn what was lost.

One of the things I've been "enjoying" about this newfound "free time" is being able to take advantage of the area's parks. Lake Artemesia is a hidden gem. I'm actually surprised how many don't know about this place. I've been here many times over the years..maybe too many to count. I was here about a month ago and it was my first time in a few years. I almost forgot how beautiful and peaceful it can be. And the sunset views (IG worthy)! I came early on a Saturday morning and there was a decent amount of people - more than I expected. I guess everyone had the same idea as I did. It wasn't too packed when I arrived but within an hour the crowed picked up so I made my way out. There were signs at the entrance encouraging social distancing and to keep a safe distance and also group exercises were not allowed. I saw several different groups of people exercising together, but I just minded my own business. I'll be back soon and I'll be sure to post more pics!

This review was for a visit before the stay-at-home order. My partner and I met up with a group of people from the Silver Spring Bird Watchers meetup group. Two of them were very experienced birders where they've actually had some formal schooling in bird biology and/or worked in an area where they've used their ornithological knowledge. It was so nice of them to volunteer their time. They definitely went above and beyond with pointing out birds in their guidebooks and setting up a scope once in a while to see birds afar. There was also a dad with two younger kids that had quite a bit of energy. It was cute to see their enthusiasm with regards to learning about birds. Parking was easy and the walking trail was pretty flat. There were also plenty of benches in case you needed to rest. We got to see different birds than I was used to from my home state in Minnesota. Can't wait to be able to venture outside again eventually after the lock-down.

I love coming here! As soon as the temps begin to rise in the early Spring, we make our way to Lake Artemesia or as we call it, "the lake," or "the trail." It is a great place to decompress after a work day, get in a fitness walk/run, ride bikes, or bring your pup. Our dog loves coming here and gets excited when she sees us pulling up. When we don't have our dog, we rent bikes and ride the trail and take in the view of the beautiful lake. The people here are great, as well. It is very family oriented, but you see families, couples, bikers, runners, and dog parents. And, of course there are plenty of amazing photo opportunities! If you don't live nearby, there is parking available and it is right near the metro. So, it is accessible.

Well worth the visit on a Saturday. There is a wide walking path comfortable for both walkers and bicyclists (and there are plenty of those). The signage in some area was not so clear, so it knocks one star from me. It's mostly very relaxing (it butts up against the train tracks, so you do get noise from that), there are plenty of benches along the route to take breaks at, it's not very buggy, and there are gazebos along the way and plenty of angles from which to take scenic photos. Recommended!

This is an interesting and cute park, with well-paved walking paths around a surprisingly large lake. I thought it would be just a short walk around, but it took awhile! This is an especially convenient place to visit and enjoy nature (but not an necessarily easy park to find) if you happen to be near the Baltimore Avenue and the University of Maryland area. There is a good-sized parking lot but we ended up walking all the way from across the pedestrian bridge above the train tracks (I'd recommend just parking in the lot!) There are a few small shelters scattered around the lake path, and I saw a few deer and people fishing on the bridge across one of the lakes...and probably one of the largest swaths of lily paths I've ever seen covering a lake! A very neat spot to take a good walk in the College Park/Berwyn Heights area.

This is a nice, clean park right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of College Park. It's not hiking per se, but it is a fun place to walk and take in the beautiful outdoors. All the trails are paved and are about 10 feet wide. Perfect for walking, running, biking, or taking the dog out for a stroll. Benches line the walkways, there's a couple of gazebos and even a fishing pier. Even a restroom with running water! The park is kept clean, and the 30-acre lake has about a mile-long loop trail going around it with awesome views. The cool thing is, these trails connect to Indian Creek Park, Paint Branch Stream Valley Park, the Paint Branch Golf Course, and many other places. I walked to the Paint Branch Trail and began my journey to Lake Artemesia from there, so I can't comment on the parking situation others have mentioned. Contrary to another review, this place does have operating hours - it's open daily from sunrise to sunset. If the po-po catch you here after those hours, you WILL get a ticket. Count your blessings local residents and thank your city for providing and maintaining this wonderful resource. Oh! I almost forgot, there's at least one solar powered USB charging station for your mobile phone. How cool is that???

This is a nice paved walking / biking path. There are multiple paths you can walk and bike. They even have restrooms on the park. There is free parking (for about 30-40) cars. A great place to do an evening stroll with lots of ducks and birds. The park is clean as well.

My first time visiting this lake and I must say for a Sunday, I appreciated available parking. I was shocked, however, that the park benches were not painted or well maintained. Other than that, it was very peaceful and the walking paths are very spacious. There wasn't an influx of people so you felt like you could socially distance well and many ppl wore their masks. A-OK.

Lovely park for a morning or afternoon stroll! So happy I found this little gem on my trip :)

Beautiful, peaceful park and scenery! However, for my single black women please watch your surroundings while walking/jogging alone. I parked in the parking lot at the baseball field because I wanted walk down the trail from that end. When I returned to my car, I noticed a Caucasian male in a burgundy color crossover that was parked on the opposite side of the street. I got this gut feeling that he was watching me and lo and behold when I pulled off he followed behind me for a few blocks. I knew he was following me because I watched him in my rear view mirror. As I kept driving he finally came to a stop sign and he didn't turn off he just sat there. If I see any funny activity the next time I go, then I will alert Berwyn Heights police. #jogging while black.

Nothing against Maryland but this trail is like any other and doesn't stand out. The one item I did like is that it's metro accessible on the green line at the West Hyattsville stop and they have actual gym equipment on the trail which was cool. It's good to live in a area were we can be spoiled with the amount of health options we have available. The lake (man made) is cute- small. The bathrooms were clean relatively speaking . I can check this off if my trails to bike list.

Came on a weekday afternoon, parking lot had a surprising number of cars, about half full. Didn't see many people, nice flat walk around the lake. Many fallen leaves, not much fall colors left. Lake was pretty, relaxing walk.

Sorry folks...it was too cold to snag any good pictures but I can say this is a very nice natural area for the entire family. Free parking, plenty of space, and asphalt are a few perks of this natural area. This location is good for fishing, picnics, exercising, bike riding and exploring. Not sure what type of fish are in these wetlands as I didn't catch a single thing lol but I was so secluded no one had any idea. It is rather close to a metro line but what do you expect the closer you get to both college park and Washington DC. I'd certainly return but if you are looking for a fast casual parks this is the place for you...if you are looking for a complete unwind from CPUs and technology this may not be the place for you as it is pretty close to civilization lol

About what you would expect, a trail surrounding a large lake. Benches are among the lake for resting and bridges allow people to cross the lake in various areas. Small decks are there and mainly used for fishing. Swimming, boating, and skating are prohibited. Most people come to walk, bike, and walk dogs. The park is located next to rail lines and MARC trains routinely pass by. With College Park Airport so close you'll probably see some airplanes as well. For some reason my GPS took me to a neighborhood with an opening that gives access to the park rather than the parking lot.

I never realized how much I loved nature until I started walking around this park while on the Paint Branch Trail. Lake Artemisia is a gorgeous natural expanse located in the College Park area where people come to jog, walk, bike and rollerblade daily. You can also go fishing in designated areas provided you have a fishing license. This is one of the best-kept secrets in the area, because I don't hear enough people talking about it, but that's quite alright with me. I walk around this area for a mental escape, and it's super peaceful and beautiful. The ducks, frogs and birds that live in this area are lovely to watch, and the sounds that wildlife (bugs included!) makes end up creating such an amazing experience. There's gazebos for you to sit and take in the scenery, and I've even seen people hold ceremonies and other events within the park. I love coming here, and I'm so excited to witness how beautiful the scenery will get as the seasons change. I never feel unsafe coming here, and as a woman, that's extremely important.

Within walking distance from UMD's southern campus, the Lake Artemesia Natural Area has some hidden treasures; my favorites are the beautiful water lilies that glow in early morning sunlight. I took more than fifty pictures around the lake on August 21, 2020. Two of them are shared here...

I went for a walk around the lake yesterday and ended up getting lost! One reason is that the signs for the lake's loop are only on the ground. However, along the path are posts for other trails. I decided to take one of those trails expecting it to link back up to the lake and it didn't! I went from Greenbelt to Riverdale! After walking 6 miles and no Lake loop in sight, I was able to flag down a Park policeman who was very kind and was able to take me back to the lake and showed me a way to link back up to the lake. While I truly enjoyed the tranquility of the trails, I wish that there was more signage along the trail. I also wish there were more bathrooms and water fountains. One thing that is distracting is that there are no sound barriers that block out the trains and passing cars. At times, the trail was rather noisy. Overall, I love this park and trail and look forward to working out there again!

It's one of my favor place to visit! I live 5 minutes away from there; I invite everyone to enjoy this lovely place. I like to run & ride bicycle on weekend, it has many options and views to joy this amazing place....!

I used to spend a fair amount of time here. It's the only real forested area around UMD, so it serves an important niche. The land was apparently donated by the Metro, and you'll walk under the tracks and hear the trains constantly whiz by. The park consists of some paved trails following a dirty and somewhat sad stretch of Paint Branch Creek, a lake with a lot of birds and a great view of the Metro, and some more trails that take you to a picnic area near the aviation museum. The trails run under route 1, allowing you to get from campus to the lake without crossing any streets. There's a bridge across the creek that allows you to come out relatively close to the College Park Metro stop and catch the shuttle bus if desired. It doesn't feel all that "natural" at any point, but it's quite nice as a utilitarian place to walk/run/bike in a quiet and verdant setting. I'm a little bit torn about the rating, but here's the deal. I'd have rated it four stars while I lived there, but then I discovered that DC and the surrounding area have tons of free parks (and others that are worth paying for) that offer better environs than this one does. Lake Artemesia's selling point is location. This is absolutely a nice place for students and others in the immediate area, but I've never wanted to come any distance to return to it. If you're at UMD, you absolutely need to check it out, but explore the greater DC area as well.

While it is not the largest park in the area, Lake Artemesia is an enjoyable place to spend an hour jogging or walking the handicapped accessible trails. It was developed in the late 70s as construction for the Metro's Green Line began. The land was donated by a local resident in exchange for Metro developing it into what it is today; a lovely place for all to enjoy, including many species of birds and water fowls. There is a fishing pier (permit and species limitations mandated), gazebos, and around two miles of hiker-biker trails. There is even a staging area which faces a grassy lawn; perfect for an outdoor concert event. It is a bit hard to find. Once you travel along the industrial road and reach its end, Lake Artemesia is there, waiting for you to explore.

A very unexpected place of bliss and union with nature found in the otherwise not so scenic college park (except for UMD campus of course). Great place for low-intensity jogging, walk your dog, have a nice walk with family members since they have wide, paved paths. Beautiful outlook areas in ~4 pagodas scattered around the park. Bridge joining the two sides great for fish and turtle spotting. I used to come here all the time when I was a student at the University to meet up with friends, have a picnic, chill with the pup. Be careful of mosquitoes in the summer (near lake, tons of breeding areas) and geese poop in Spring and Fall.

They call this a "natural area" and it might very well be but it doesn't really seem very "natural" to me to have a newly resurfaced asphalt walking/biking path that happens to run parallel to the METRO tracks for a good portion of its circumference. I understand this has some king of Audobon trail for birders and the like and that is all well and good. But, if you're looking for a place that it a tranquil place to walk or bike, you need to try some place else like Buddy Attick Park in Old Greenbelt or Greenbelt National Park. What this park is great for is bicyclists and people who don't want to walk on dirt. Yeah, it's a big plus not to have to worry about the mud or tree roots as you're tooling around the 1.4 mile "loop". It's also has some nice gazebos for "viewing" and plenty of seating scattered around for sitting when you need a rest. However, unless you're going to bike up to the Lake from the Paint Branch Trail or the Indian Creek Trail it is damn hard to find the entrance where you can park your car and then walk or bike around the Lake. I was really non-plussed. I'm not really an outdoorsy type so maybe I'm missing something but there are lots better places to enjoy nature that aren't that far away.

The park is clean, well kept, lovely and filled with very friendly people and families. It really is a gem in the Washington DC metro area. I always park at the lot where Berwyn Rd & 55 Ave connect. There are a ton of trails that connect from Lake Artemesia making it my favorte "homebase" for long distance running and cycling.

Great place to run and bike. Paved trails and easy for families to go fishing and relaxing.

I'm so glad this place exists. It's quite a beautiful park, with plenty of options for both adults and children. It's a rather large park, with several running trails, including a well maintained asphalt trail circling the lake. There's also a beautiful gazebo and several benches along the way, which are perfect for reading during warm days. It's always busy when I go. Families going on walks, children playing, owners exercising their pets, people riding their bikes, bird watchers, people fishing, etc. The trails are wide enough that I've never had a problem sharing it with another runner or biker. The only downside is the fact that the paths are NOT marked. At all. This is not good for us directionally challenged folks. They need to label the different trails and perhaps add some mile-markers along the way.. If I had a dollar for every time I've gotten lost (and by lost I mean miles and miles out of the way), I'd be able to pay every stranger giving me directions, to never use words like "East" or "North" ever again. Because, let's be honest, the only "North" I feel sure about is North West. As in the baby.

Best park in the area! When I was a teen to now in my late 20's I still find new trails to venture off to. This park is relaxing to just just chill and take in the scenery or to go for a scenic jog. Never gets old.

Wow, I pass this park on my daily commute and reminisce. As a teenager, my mom's friend brought me here to cheer me up when I was going through some teenage girl drama. We went to nearby Beltway Plaza, grabbed some ice cream and walked a lap around this beautifully man made park. She was such a cool lady and will always hold a place in my heart (she also helped teach me how to drive). As the years went by, I would frequent this park when I needed a boost. The views of the waterway are beautiful! I always spot a rare (well, rare to me) bird or some sort of wildlife, like beavers and frogs. During this past spring and fall, I've brought my little one here several times for a relaxing stroll and occasional sprint (trying to get away from the aforementioned wildlife, bees, etc...). The park has not changed much over the years, it's the perfect backdrop for a lovely stroll, bike ride, run, or picnic. I stay away in the summer months, there isn't much shade outside of the gazebos. There's also no play area for little ones. This is definitely a park for the grown and sexy! Lol

Love this park, trails are my favorite. Parking not a problem... See you soon...!

I married a MoCo girl. As a result, whenever we find anything good in PG County, she usually ends up saying, "I can't believe this is in PG county." I guess with a slogan like "A Livable Community," such criticism should be expected much like if your slogan was "My Restaurant: You Can Eat Here, If You Want," or "My Deli: Edible Food." But one place that makes even this guy who was raised in PG say, "I can't believe this is in PG County," is Lake Artemesia. First of all, you have to drive on a gravel path through an industrial area w/ nary a tree to be found, and then the massive Washington Post plant. The first time a friend took me out here, I though, "Wow. Now -this- is a PG park." And as you near the end of Ballew Ave, you see a police station, once again reinforcing the fact that you are in fact, in PG County, and then you see some trees and a tiny parking lot. At this point, your expectations for this "Natural Area" are really, really low. And then you walk through the fenced area and it opens out to a gorgeous lake, surrounded by 1.3 miles of paved trails, several gazebos, and plenty of benches. Well, ok, the lake isn't that gorgeous...it's about as "beautiful" as the waters of Ocean City, but remember, it's in a livable community. The serene natural beauty is only interrupted by the occasional passing Green Line Metro train. On a nice day, you can expect to find joggers, people fishing, kids on tricycles, bicyclers, and people making out in the gazebos: you've been warned. Do not approach an occupied gazebo. For serious. For those of you who like biking w/ your family or are out of shape from a winter of hibernating, Lake Artemesia is a great place to bike b/c the trail is almost completely flat and it's plenty wide. How smooth is the ride? The family went yesterday, and while towing our daughter in a Chariot Cougar 2, she fell asleep. If you're feeling adventurous, there are, what I like to call exit ramps at various points on the trail. One exit will take you near the College Park Airport (I like to call this Gravelly Point Lite). Another will take you all the way down the Anacostia. And still another will take you up towards the University of Maryland College Park. For a detailed map, click here: http://www.pgparks.com/places/parks/anacostia.html Lake Artemesia affords a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. W/ all the various trails, each visit can be completely different. And one thing I'll enjoy as my daughter gets older: no ice cream, paddle boats, or anything like that where I'll have to fork over tons of cash. It's convenient to Silver Spring, Laurel, Greenbelt, and pretty much any other city that's close to UMCP. If you're looking for an extensive, easy trail for the family for biking or jogging, head to Lake Artemesia. Just be prepared to hear MoCo people saying, "I can't believe this is in PG County," all though your ride. How to get there: from Greenbelt Rd, turn onto Branchville Rd (Near Siri's Chef Secret). Follow it all the way around till you get to the parking lot. Note: the lot is usually packed, so you may have to park on Berwyn Rd. Post-script: Olivia D. reminded me that this is the lake where they found an infant girl in a garbage bag a few weeks back. Horribly depressing way to end a review. Even more depressing that people have the gall to do crap like that.

Does anyone know what type of fish are in this lake ? It does look beautiful and calm

Ok, so College Park is pretty dismal. Why do I keep living here then? Lake Artemesia, friends. That's why. There's a vast network of biking/running trails that all seem to intersect at Lake Artemesia. I spent many afternoons last summer biking Piney Branch trail, Northwest Branch Trail, Anacostia River Trail, and Sligo Creek Trail, all of which are accessible near this lake. Start out biking around Lake Artemesia and you might find yourself ending up down by a river, in a park full of trees, or even near a marsh. It's great for an afternoon adventure. Get yourself a bike map of the area and start exploring! Lake Artemesia itself is absolutely gorgeous at sunset with the sun setting over the trees and the water. You will see plenty of wildlife - deer and rabbits are very common. There's a 1.35 mile loop around the lake, and there's also a public bathroom/water fountain that is kept very clean here. I've always found it a very safe place to go. If you're biking a long distance, there's also a clean bathroom down by the Bladensburg waterfront area. You can even go fishing or boating down there too. It's hard to sum up all the trails in this area, so it's really worth exploring for yourself.

Lake Artemesia certainly deserved my praise. It's been a place of a lot of action and adventure. Walks with friends, a Saturday of Service clean-up, biking, and even some undisclosed late-night activities. Yes, this is a place of beautiful memories. It helps that Lake Artemesia is one of the exclusively natural areas in College Park where the treeline doesn't turn into worn-out suburbia with a 360º look (unless, of course, you count the Metro line that runs through its Eastern edge). If you happen to live in Parkside or University Club apartments, it's an insanely short walk from your building to the lake, so make sure to check it out often. And if you're a cyclist of any kind, this completes a wonderful 12-mile loop that can get you acquainted through the tree-covered areas of College Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. http://quikmaps.com/show/70777 And for a little more background on how the park came to be, I can just add on some information to what Aaron F. mentioned before me. This is a man-made lake, which was created when Metro needed to build the green line through this area. They needed a very specific type of stone which was going to be freighted in from out of state. But a nearby quarry (now Artemesia) was available which housed sand and stone of the correct type. In exchange for the land to be quarried, the builders offered to construct a lake and a park. Thus, Lake Artemesia was born. A brilliant story of local development at work in a positive way. This park is highly recommended. Turn off your computer and go. Now. (Or you can check it out first: http://www.pgparks.com/places/nature/artemesia.html)

This park is a happy, accessible place between Greenbelt and College Park. Yes, it's near the Metro track and an industrial area -- that's part of what makes this park unexpectedly wonderful. I first visited in high summer, when the unshaded, asphalt walkway was uncomfortably hot. Fortunately I gave Lake Artemesia another visit during the rainy weeks this past spring, when I sought a paved path to avoid the mud. The paths at the park connect to the Paint Branch Trail and Anacostia Tributary Trail. I visit the lake most mornings during the work week, to walk and breathe and get my blood moving. What a delight it is, bursting with bloom, scent, and birdsong! The park is quieter at that hour, almost meditative, visited mostly by birders with cameras and binoculars and the occasional jogger or cyclist. Certain swathes of grass are let to grow long, like a meadow, to provide habitat. It was here I saw my first eagle plunge down to the water to catch a fish. There are a few families of geese, and though I'm not much of a birder myself, a friend pointed out a scarlet tanager the other day. There are a few geese families with goslings, and I've seen several turtles and bunnies. The north end of the lake is full of lily pads, and the waterlilies bloomed this past week. Another thing I enjoy about this park is the human variety. All kinds of folks come here: young, old, fit, trying-to-get-fit. Walkers, bikers, wheelchairs. Latino, African-American, Asian, Indian, caucasian. Students and working people. Nature lovers and athletes. Single folks and families and groups and dogs (on leashes). I recommend a visit to this well-kept neighborhood park, particularly early or late in the day.

The main demographic of the people who come here are: -Local Latino family taking a nice stroll with their children -Mmmmhmmmm black women walking here after an arduous day at work -Latino dudes fishing here without a license -Fair weather college runners doing a bunny hop run* *If you are a college girl, the Latino fishers will cop looks. Be flattered. It's your standard marked trail around a lake. It does its job. I believe one loop around the lake is 1.3 miles. It has a bunch of outlets that either lead to the surrounding Berwyn neighborhood, route 1, or the College Park Metro station. There is plentiful free parking, but driving here could be tricky. You have to come through Berwyn Road off of Kenilworth or Ballew Avenue off of Greenbelt Road.

Definitely a College Park secret. Who knew that hidden behind the college bar scene and infinite choice of fast food chains lies Lake Artemesia. I know there's a parking lot accessible from 193 somewhere..but as a resident of Parkside, my run around the lake and back of 5K was the perfect daily run. Don't be surprised if you see people fishing or bird watching. Trail Directions from Parkside: Exit Parkside and go down Lakelands. Turn right after the playgound and look for the paved trail next to the basketball court. Turn left at the three-way trail intersection. Continue on the trail past the elementary school. Turn right at the dead end and follow the path under the metro tracks. This should lead you directly to the lake.

Lake Artemsia is a really great park. It's completely manmade (as other posters noted, part of an accomodation that Metro made for the construction of the College Park metro station. I always, always come here by bicycle, but the thing I was going to note was that access is actually the most difficult to get to by car (only one approach from the northern end of the park) - whereas you can arrive via bout 4 different direction if you're walking or biking. This lake connects to the Paint Branch, Northeast Branch, and Indian Creek Branch bike/walker trails, so there's lots of way to get here. It's quiet - there's a loop that you can run around - there's picnic tables and a nice gazebo to hang out at. You can fish here (a lot of people do). By far the closest decent size body of water that isn't one of the 6-12 inch deep branch streams that lead to the Anacostia.

A lovely walkable lake with bike path. Many joggers and dogs, children looking for fish, frogs, turtles, birds, in & around the lake. Recently renovated, nicely maintained. Neighbors are friendly.

Love this lake. Quite and beautiful. Perfect for a walk or going out with children or pets

Looking for a new place to take my pooch out, so he has some new sense and adventures. It is not a big park, but it is great that it has a f ew trails and you can walk around the lake, you can cycle around he lake, One can fish. On a sunny summer day in the weekend, there are quite a lots of people but nothing one cannot handle. There are water fountain and bathroom and chairs here and there. I will definitely go back with my pooch even I don't live nearby.