Safety

Emergencies

Call the United States Park Police (USPP) at 202-610-7500.

USPP is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The U.S. Park Police station is at the entrance/exit of the park.

 

Wildlife

Feeding wildlife is illegal in Greenbelt park. Feeding animals habituates them to coming close to people and roads, increasing the dangers of animals hurting people, getting hit by cars, and spreading disease.

Deer, turtles, raccoons, and other animals are crossing the road at times. Please yield to any animal crossing the road.

 

Campground

Please keep all campfires contained in the grills. All fires must remain lower than the rim of the fire pit. Please notify park personnel if a fire is unattended. All unattended fires will be put out.

Read more camping safety tips from the National Park Service.

 

Ticks and tickborne illness

Several species of ticks live in this area, and may cause disease such as Lyme disease. Protect yourself from tickborne illness by staying in developed areas. Wear insect repellent, and tuck your pants into your socks. After you are done with any activity in the park, make sure to check yourself and your pets for ticks.

If you find a tick on as person or pet's body:

• Remove ticks safely using tweezers and pulling upward with steady pressure. Do not twist the tick or try to remove it without a tool. Clean the tick bite area thoroughly and consider keeping the tick in a sealed bag/container for possible future identification or submission.
• Seek medical attention if you observe any symptoms of tickborne illness. It’s important to communicate the tick bite exposure and timing of symptoms to your medical provider and discuss tick bite prophylaxis or treatment options.