Waterworks Park

Waterworks Park is a recreational area operated by the City of Annapolis and managed by the City’s Recreation and Parks Department.

The 600 acre park is one of the few open space resources in the Annapolis area that provides the public with hiking, biking, a place to picnic and fish. There are miles of nature trails and a picnic pavilion.

Back in the 1920s, the water in the reservoir, essentially storm-water runoff, was used as the city’s drinking water. The reservoir was retired when the underground aquifer was tapped for the City’s new source of drinking water nearly a century ago.

A few years ago, the Annapolis Solar Park opened, bordering Waterworks Park. The 55,000 solar panels now generate electricity on what was once the City’s 80-acre landfill. This found a great new use for the brownfield.

Zachary Reid age 11 caught bass April 2023 father Erik Reid submittedAt Waterworks Parks, there are three freshwater fishing ponds – catch and release fishing only (the fish cannot be taken home.) Additionally, no outside fish may be brought into the park and released into the ponds. To fish, you must have a valid Maryland Non-Tidal Fishing License that can be purchased at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources service center in Annapolis. Following the Maryland rules, individuals under age 16 are not required to possess a Maryland license. (You must have a permit to Waterworks Park to access the fishing recreational areas.)

Most of Waterworks Park is relatively undisturbed. Recently, MORE (Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts) volunteers have come to the Park to make hiker and biker trails open to the public more accessible and usable. The City of Annapolis and MORE created hundreds of acres of hiking and biking trails at and around Waterworks Park. You can ride or hike in to find 11 miles of trails! The Housley Loop is the most accessible loop. Public access and parking on Housley Road on the shoulder near the Stone Point Apartments. Look for the trailhead to your right in the woods on the left side of the stormwater drain. To note: the Defense Highway Connector trail connects the Housley Loop to the Defense Highway Parking Lot and Solar Park Loop. (Please do not park in the Defense Highway parking lot to access the trail as that lot is for permit holders only.) There is no fee to ride or hike these trails, but you have to get there on foot or by bicycle. Annapolis Waterworks Trail on Trailforks.

Future plans are to create a makerspace at Waterworks Park, and with that, making accommodations for more parking on site.

Waterworks Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife and we ask that you treat the natural surroundings with respect. Waterworks Park is open daily year-round from dawn to dusk. For additional information, please review the Waterworks Park Brochure (PDF).

City of Annapolis resident permits:

Monthly $10, Quarterly $30, Annual $100

Anne Arundel County resident permits:

Monthly $15, Quarterly $45, Annual $125

To obtain a permit, you must go to the "Pip" Moyer Recreation Center. Please refer to the Rules and Regulations section below.

Permits to Waterworks Park

City of Annapolis resident:

  • Monthly $10, Quarterly $30, Annual $100

Anne Arundel County resident:

  • Monthly $15, Quarterly $45, Annual $125

Permits are purchased in person at the "Pip" Moyer Recreation Center.

Waterworks Trail map

Waterworks Park MORE Trail Map

Photo Gallery

Jeff Holland says that Waterworks Park is #3 on his list of "Top 10" happy trails in Anne Arundel County (article published by the Capital Gazette on January 3, 2021)!

Read this article by Jeff Holland published in the Capital Gazette on September 12, 2020.

Rules and Regulations

For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, the following rules and regulations must be followed or your permit will be revoked:

  1. Entrance to park is by permit only. Park in the designated parking permit spaces. NO parking on the grass! 
  2. Open daily from dawn until dusk.
  3. Stay off the dam.
  4. No fires of any kind. No smoking.
  5. Please do not enter any of the buildings or small pump houses. There is very dangerous high voltage electrical equipment in these structures.
  6. Do not go beyond the designated trails. We ask that you respect all private property. The white farm house and the large brick pump house near the entrance to the park are not part of the park operations. Please refrain from approaching either building.
  7. Strollers, wheelchairs and other mobility vehicles for the handicapped are permitted. Bikes are allowed but only on designated trails.
  8. The person whose name appears on the permit is responsible for the conduct of the group.
  9. Children must always be supervised by an adult.
  10. You are expected to help maintain the park’s natural beauty. Do not cut or dig up trees or plants. Do not harm or harass wildlife. No hunting.
  11. No swimming, wading, or bathing allowing.
  12. No ice skating or boating is allowed.
  13. The possession of firearms, fireworks or weapons of any kind is strictly prohibited.
  14. No alcoholic beverages or controlled substances are allowed in the park.
  15. Pets are prohibited.
  16. Please use the trash receptacles adjacent to the entrance gate. If the cans are full, please take your trash with you.
  17. Report any accident or injury to the Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department at 410-263-7958 and any park maintenance issue to the Department’s Parks Maintenance Division at 410-263-7993.

Check the Current Trail Status (Trail Condition Indicator)