Greenbelt Park Is it a good place to camp?

[cosmik debris]

I am looking at the Sept 24 Rally and I will need a good place to hang out before and after. Greenbelt looks good on the internets, but I would like a local opinion if there are any to be had. Thanks.

[marylanddem]

1. Greenbelt Park is fine - very convenient to D.C.

It's an unusual little national park tucked into a hectic pocket near the Beltway and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. I've camped there in years past & don't have any reason to think it's changed.

[Ready4Change]

2. I haven't camped there.

But I've been there many times, to visit several of it's picnic areas, and once to track down a Geocache located there. (I think there's another, but haven't returned to track that one down. Yet.)

I haven't gone back into the camping area, but have seen nothing to make me think it would be a bad place.

It's far enough from the metro station that you'll want a bike, car, or bus route to get from the park to the station and back.

[cosmik debris]

3. Thank you both for your help

It looks like I will be there on the 23-25 of Sept. Maybe I can get a large group of campers from Texas to join me.

Thanx

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. It's very close to me...

It's a nice park. Like any park in the DC area, it has its share of vagrants. It's probably best to stick to the trails and hike with a friend.

Mr GoG and I went bushwhacking through the park years ago, and it's really quite fascinating terrain. The public facilities are all on pretty high ground; but there are streams which run through the park in pretty marshy terrain. If you plan on exploring, bring knee-high boots!

[indigo]

5. Some tips

<1> The ranger station and most of the camp sites are actually closer to College Park Metro, not the Greenbelt station. This works out well for you, as there are dedicated bike/walk paths to College Park Metro, whereas getting to Greenbelt station via bike would require crossing a major intersection, and all the roads in that area have tons of glass.

Here is a detailed map of the bike paths in the area:

http://www.waba.org/new/paths/atsmapframe.htm

If you have to walk to College Park metro, it'll be about 2.5 miles. Greenbelt station will be about 3.0 miles.

If you have a car to use, both stations have parking ($3.50/day weekdays, IIRC). Oh, and you'll need to add the money on to your metro SmartTrip pass (purchase in the station) because that's what you use to exit the parking lot. Parking is free on weekends.

<2> Crime has been on the rise in the area, even during daytime hours. Since it will probably be dark when you return on the Metro, try to make it a group coming back. Additionally, if you're on foot/bikes, you should be sure to have bike headlights or a helmet light, etc for the way back. Additionally, while WMATA normally allows bikes on the trains (max 2 per car), it is at their discretion to disallow bikes due to heavy traffic, i.e., like July 4th. You may have to chain up the bikes at CP station. Don't bring your top-of-the-line bikes.

<3> Make your reservations now -- altho' there's usually plenty of room post-Labor Day, I'd imagine you're not the only ones targeting GB Park for the rally.

<4> What to do before & after -- I would suggest hanging downtown. While College Park is a university town (University of Maryland, College Park), due to the increase in crime, the bars have started charging a $20 cover for non-students to keep out the riff-raff, as it were.

[MiddleRiverRefugee]

6. Check out Old greenbelt, too

Right on Greenbelt Road out of the Park, up about a mile, then left on Southway. The New Deal Cafe (in the Roosevelt Center) is highly recommended.

Been there for ten years now. It's a fine Democratic/green stronghold, and personally I'd have a hard time living anywhere else in D.C.

See http://www.greenbelt.com/

[indigo]

10. New Deal Cafe

I stopped by last night, but it was closed, unfortunately.

What is the menu like? Is alcohol served?

[AnnieBW]

12. Beer and Wine

I believe that they serve some beer and wine. Unfortunately, my friend Maugie is doing his Thursday gig at the New Deal tonight rather than next week.

Greenbelt Park is a great place to camp, if you're into that kind of thing. If not, there's lots of hotels that have shuttles to the Metro.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

13. Franklin's isn't far from Greenbelt Park

It's in Hyattsville, right on Route 1.

They brew their own beer (my fave is Anarchy Ale), and have a decent pub-food menu, including some vegetarian items. Franklin's also has a great little store with all kinds of odd merchandise, including National Embarrass-mints

[sbj405]

7. Question re: #4

I hadn't heard about that. Can they really do that? CP is bizarre and seems to vascillate between wanting the students there and now. I'm a non-student, homeowner in CP. Sucks that I have to leave the city and essential the county to get a drink.

[indigo]

8. Here's a Diamondback article

about the $15-$20 cover charged by Cornerstone Bar & Grill. I've heard the other bars plan to do this as well; don't know if Santa Fe is doing it yet.

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/07/21/42df324f81c6d?in_archive=1

[gardenista]

15. Wow, I guess things have changed. Is the Vous still there? Town Hall?

They were such dumpy bars, but fun for us riff raff.

[dcfirefighter]

16. Vous is now Cornerstone, I have tenure at Town Hall

I avoid all CP bars but Town Hall, which I frequent weekly.

[gardenista]

17. Awww, Town Hall..... I miss it so.

Was many years ago that I last visited Town Hall, maybe 13 by now...

Will miss being there on the Wed. before Thanksgiving, it's always an old-home night.

We have a dive in my home town, but nothing to compare.

[indigo]

9. Greenbelt Park: Update

I stopped by the US Park Police office this evening at the main entrance to the park off of Greenbelt Rd.

<1> While many of the sites may actually be physically closer to College Park, they completely disallow any traffic (even by foot). So Greenbelt Station, it is.

<2> The officer seemed pretty horrified at the idea of people returning to camp at night (by any mode of travel). Stated that it was not permitted. When pressed, admitted that you will probably be stopped to find out who you are & where you're going but that access would be granted.

[sbj405]

11. Another camping option

Cherry Hill RV park
http://www.cherryhillpark.com/rates.html

Short bus ride from the Greenbelt Metro. They have tent sites, but it's pretty pricey, though.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. jeeze

Sieg heil!

I can't believe they don't allow people to walk through the park to Good Luck Rd. This has to be some hyper-zealot who's freaked by the idea of "hippies" camping in his park.

I think I'd talk with someone else...