Lake Needwood Boats

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 boating permits; fishing equipment, including bamboo fishing poles, hooks, bobbers, bait, and bottled water for sale. The new accessible/ADA compliant dock and launch system makes it possible for people with limited mobility to launch both canoes and kayaks. And your canine friends are welcome aboard our boats too!

Boat Rentals

The 5 pm closing times listed above refer to the latest time you may begin your rental of a kayak, canoe, or rowboat at the Boathouse ticket window.  However, you don’t have to return your rented boat to the Boathouse until 6 pm. Boathouse staff tries to remind boaters who are still on the lake at 5:30 pm to head for shore before 6 pm. Rental boats returned after 6 pm will incur a late fee of $10 per boat. 

Boat rentals are available as weather permits. Each boat rental requires a picture ID as a security deposit. All patrons must wear a life jacket at all times. All 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, all major credit cards 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 and life jacket. For the safety of all, do not place children on your lap–they must be seated in their own seat in the kayak. The new accessible/ADA compliant dock and launch system makes it easier for people with limited mobility to launch both canoes and kayaks.

Passenger capacity:1 person for single kayaks, 2 people for tandem kayaks
Cost: Weekends and Holidays, $14.00 (one hour; includes tax) and $50.00 (full day; includes tax)
Week days: $13.00 (one hour; includes tax) and $45.00 (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. Anyone born after July 1, 1972 must possess a certificate of boating safety education in order to operate a trolling motor on a Parks rowboat. Anchors are available upon request.

Passenger capacity: 5 person/800 pound maximum; 5^th passenger must be 44” or shorter
Cost: Weekends and Holidays, $14.00 (one hour; includes tax) and $50.00 (full day; includes tax)
Week days: $13.00 (one hour; includes tax) and $45.00 (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. The new accessible/ADA compliant dock and launch system makes it easier for people with limited mobility to launch both canoes and kayaks.

Passenger capacity:3 person maximum; 3^rd passenger must be 44” or shorter
Cost: Weekends and Holidays, $14.00 (one hour; includes tax) and $50.00 (full day; includes tax)
Week days: $13.00 (one hour; includes tax) and $45.00 (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: Weekends and Holidays, $12.00 for one half-hour (30 minutes) No daily rate available
Weekdays, $11.00 for one half-hour (30 minutes) No daily rate available

Pontoon Tours

Tour the lake on the Needwood Queen, a pontoon boat operating on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The 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: 12 people per trip
Tour departures: Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
Cost: $4.00 per person, tickets are available for purchase the day of. Call 301-563-7544 for availability.
Group Tours: Groups of people (minimum of 10) may reserve the Needwood Queen for tours on Thursdays and Fridays; group tours can be arranged by calling 301-765-8623.

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 -December 15: 6:00am to Official Sunset

Daily Permits: Must be purchased online. An electronic or print copy of your receipt will serve as your permit. Permits may also be purchased at the boathouse during normal operating hours.

Seasonal Permits: Seasonal permits can be purchased for $75.00. The permit is good from March 1 to December 15 at both Lake Needwood and Little Seneca Lake. Permits can be purchased at the Boathouse. Also available at ActiveMONTGOMERY.com. Beginning August 1 Seasonal Boat Permits are prorated to $37.50

Mooring Sites: Mooring sites can be purchased for an additional $50.00. Beginning February 15 please call 301-765-8623 to reserve a site.  All boats must be removed by December 15, annually.

Fishing

Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, and trout are only a few of the fish species found in Lake Needwood and Lake Frank. All Maryland State Fishing Regulations for inland waters apply, and people aged 16 and older are required to have a Maryland Fishing License. Fishing licenses are not available at Lake Needwood Boathouse, but you can get one online here from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and at many local sporting goods stores. You’ll also need a trout stamp on your license to keep trout you catch; the limit is 5 per day. Trophy Bass Fishing regulations are in effect in season. 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.

Live bait is available at the rental as well as bamboo cane poles, fishing line, floats, sinkers and hooks.