Lake Needwood Boats
Rock Creek Regional Park
Lake Needwood Boat House
15700 Needwood Lake Circle
Rockville, MD 20855
Boat House 301-762-9500
Group Tours and Seasonal Permits: 301-948-0501
Visitors to Rock Creek Regional Park can enjoy the beautiful 75-acre Lake Needwood in rental kayaks, rowboats, canoes or pedal boats, or on a tour of the lake aboard the Needwood Queen during the summer season (group tours available). Private boats can also be launched with permits. Fishing is permitted at both lakes in Rock Creek Regional Park: Lake Needwood and Lake Frank (just 10 minutes away). Visit the Boat House for boat rentals and permits, fishing equipment (including bamboo fishing poles and bait for sale). The Boat House Snack Bar (open during the regular season) features ice cream, juice, and a new selection of healthy snacks. Vending machines with water, soda and Gatorade are located in the Boat House.
Boat House Hours of Operation
Boat Rental Information
Pontoon Tours
Private Boats and Mooring Area
Fishing
Directions
Hours of Operation
May 2010
Open Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day (Monday, May 31):
- Boat House hours: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Boat rentals available 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- All boats must be returned by 7:00 p.m.
- Snack Bar closed (snacks available at Boat House)
Regular Season (June 1 - August 31, 2010):
NEW! Mondays
- Boat House hours: 9am - 3:00 p.m.
- Boat rentals available: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- All boats must be returned by 3:00 p.m.
- Snack bar closed (snacks available at Boat House)
Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Boat House hours: Noon - 6:30 p.m.
- Boat rentals available: Noon - 5:30 p.m.
- All boats must be returned by 6:30 p.m.
- Snack bar closed (snacks available at Boat House)
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
- Boat House hours: 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Boat rental available: 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- All boats must be returned by 7:00 p.m.
- Snack Bar open Noon - 5p.m.
September 2010
Open Labor Day weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday, September 4, 5, & 6)
- Boat House hours: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Boat rentals available 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- All boats must be returned by 7:00 p.m.
- Snack Bar open Noon - 5p.m.
Closed September 7 for the season
Lake Needwood Boaths will be closed for the season beginning Tuesday, September 7. At that time, we'll begin dredging Lake Needwood in order to clear out the sediment that has been deposited over the years from Rock Creek. This in turn will increase the depth of the water and make for better boating, fishing and fun next season.
* In the event of extreme weather (downpours, thunderstorms, etc.), Lake Needwood Boat House may be closed. Please try calling before heading out.
Special Announcements
NEW! Open Mondays in 2010!
In response to popular demand, we'll be open on Mondays! Regular Monday hours during the season (June 1 - August 31) will be 9am-3pm. (Holiday Monday hours are different; see above for schedule).
Captain's Club Card
This summer we're making it more affordable than ever to get on the lake! The next time you visit, be sure to ask for your "Captain's Club" card. Each time you rent any boat, we'll punch your card. Rent four times, and your fifth rental is FREE! That's one free hour in a rowboat, canoe or kayak, or one free half-hour on a pedal boat.
Available at the Boathouse
In response to popular demand, a variety of snacks will now be available for purchase at the Boat House any time we're open. Also available for purchase at the Boat House:
- Bait (night crawlers and trout worms)
- Bamboo fishing rods
- Bobbers
- Disposable cameras
- Hooks
- Waterproof boxes (rentals)
Dogs Welcome Here!
Does your dog enjoy boating as much as you do? Your dog is welcome aboard any of our rental boats (at no additional charge!). Canine passengers on the Needwood Queen are okay, too, if all human passengers are agreeable.
Lake Needwood Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Want something for the kids to do while you're paddling around the lake? Pick up a couple of our new Lake Needwood Scavenger Hunt cards at the Boat House and take them with you! Find as many of the objects shown on the card as you can and mark them off. When you return your boat to the Boat House, turn in your cards there. Every child who plays can choose a prize from the new Captain's Treasure Chest! Plus, we'll draw one lucky winner each month from the entries, and award two free Montgomery Parks Complimentary Passes! These passes are good for free admission or significant discounts at your choice of any one of 12 different Montgomery Parks facilities. (Monthly drawing for passes is open to children 12 and under.)
Boat Rental Information
Boat rentals are available as weather permits. Each boat rental requires a Picture ID as a security deposit. At least one person on board each boat must be 16 years of age or older. Boat Rental Rules and Regulations apply when renting all types of boats. A $10 late fee will be charged for any boats returned after Boat House closing times (see "Hours of Operation" above). Cash, Visa and Mastercard are accepted at the Boat House. Fee Reduction Coupons may be used toward boat rentals.
Kayaks
Kayaking is a very different and wonderful boating experience! Because the boats sit so low in the water, kayakers feel very connected to the lake and the life in and around it. Most everyone can learn to paddle a kayak in a short period of time. Both one-person and tandem (two-person) kayaks are available. Kayak rentals include a kayak paddle, life jacket and seat cushion flotation device. No one under 16 allowed in single kayaks. For the safety of all, do not place children on your lap--they must be seated in their own seat in the kayak.
Passenger capacity:1 person for single kayaks, 2 people for tandem kayaks
Cost: $8.00 (one hour; includes tax) and $27.50 (full day; includes tax)
Rowboats
Great for individuals and families who want to spend time on the water but are not experienced with boating. Rowboats may also be used for fishing. Each rented rowboat includes a pair of oars, a life jacket for each person, and a seat flotation device. Some boats can accommodate an electric trolling motor, which must be provided by the renter. Anchors are available upon request.
Passenger capacity: 5 person/800 pound maximum; 5th passenger must be 44” or shorter
Cost: $8.00 (one hour; includes tax) and $27.50 (full day; includes tax)
Canoes
A good choice for people with some boating experience. Canoes move faster, but they are less stable than rowboats and require some skill to maneuver. Canoe rental includes a paddle, a life jacket for each person and a seat flotation device.
Passenger capacity:3 person maximum; 3rd passenger must be 44” or shorter
Cost: $8.00 (one hour; includes tax) and $27.50 (full day; includes tax)
Pedal Boats
Great for people of all ages with little or no boating experience. Pedal boats are stable and easy to maneuver, and very popular for families with young children. Each rental includes life jackets for each person, and a seat flotation device.
Passenger capacity: 4 person maximum
Cost: $6.00 + tax for one half-hour (30 minutes)
Pontoon Tours
Tour the lake on the Needwood Queen, a pontoon boat operating on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The 15-20 minute boat tours allow you to see turtles, birds and other wildlife on the lake. The Needwood Queen is accessible for people using wheelchairs.
Passenger capacity: 16 people per trip
Tour departures: Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Cost: $2.00 per person, children 2 and under are free (purchase tickets at the Boat House)
Group Tours: Groups of people (minimum of 10) may reserve the Needwood Queen for tours during weekdays; group tours can be arranged by calling the Park Manager at 301-948-0501.
Private Boats & Mooring Area
Private boats that can be hand launched are permitted on Lake Needwood from March 1 – December 15 with the purchase of a daily or seasonal permit. Boaters must adhere to Regulations for Private Boats. Seasonal permits also provide access to Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park.
Schedule and Hours:
- From March 1- October 31: 6 a.m. to Official Sunset
- From November 1- December 15: 7 a.m. to Official Sunset.
Daily Permits: During the summer, daily permits can be purchased for $5.00 at the Boat House. When the Boat House is closed, drop your payment in either one of the two "Daily Permit" boxes, located by the Boat House and at the mooring site.
Seasonal Permits: To purchase seasonal permits and mooring privileges, contact the Park Manager at 301-948-0501. Seasonal permits cost $65, and mooring sites are $50*.
*Please Note: For the 2010 season only, the fee for mooring sites at Lake Needwood will be $35 (vs. $50). You are welcome to moor your private boat at Lake Needwood through December 15, as always, but the water will be considerably more shallow (and you'll have to walk a bit more with your boat to get to the water) due to the dredging project that will begin September 7, 2010. The Seasonal permit fee provides access to both Lake Needwood and Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park, and will remain the same ($65) for the 2010 boating season.
Fishing
Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, and trout are only a few of the fish species found in Lake Needwood and Lake Frank. Trout are stocked each spring, and a trout stamp is required to fish. Trout are limited to 5 per day. Trophy Bass Fishing Regulations are in effect. All Maryland State Fishing Regulations for inland waters apply, and people aged 16 and older are required to have a Maryland Fishing License. (Licenses are not available for purchase at the Lake Needwood Boat House.) Fishing is permitted from the rental boats during the operational season at Lake Needwood, and from private boats during the private boat permit season. Year-round fishing is permitted from the shoreline of both lakes. Please view the Regulations for Private Boats for complete fishing information.
Directions
From I-495 take Exit 31 for Georgia Avenue/MD Route 97 North. Follow Georgia Avenue for almost 7 miles and turn left onto Norbeck Road/MD Route 28. Turn right onto Muncaster Mill Road/MD Route 115. Turn left onto Avery Road, and right onto Needwood Lake Circle to enter Rock Creek Park. Follow the signs to the Boat House.
Montgomery County Department of Parks