Watkins Regional Park
Recreation galore, including a miniature train, 2 playgrounds, a walking trail & playing fields.
Watkins Regional Park is rated 4.7 / 5 from 2,735 Google reviews and sits about 5.0 km (62 min walk) from Largo Town Center station.
General overview
About Watkins Regional Park
Watkins Regional Park is a large Prince George’s County park near Upper Marlboro, Maryland, known for family attractions, wooded trails, playgrounds, sports facilities, picnic areas, and the themed Wizard of Oz Playground. Popular seasonal and on-site attractions include the Old Maryland Farm, Watkins Nature Center, miniature train, carousel, and ice-skating rink. Details below are based on general knowledge and training data only; none have been live-verified.
- Wizard of Oz Playground, a major family attraction with themed play structures
- Old Maryland Farm with farm animals and educational features
- Watkins Nature Center and surrounding natural areas
- Seasonal miniature train and carousel rides
- Picnic areas, shelters, athletic fields, playgrounds, and walking trails
- Seasonal ice-skating rink, generally operated during colder months
Things to do here
Wizard of Oz Playground
A large themed playground featuring imaginative structures based on The Wizard of Oz. It is especially popular with younger children and families.
Old Maryland Farm
A working-style educational farm area where visitors can typically see domestic and farm animals. Some activities or animal encounters may be seasonal.
Watkins Nature Center
A nature center with regional environmental interpretation, educational displays, and programs focused on local wildlife and habitats.
Miniature Train
A seasonal miniature train ride around the park, generally offered during warmer-weather operating periods and subject to weather and staffing.
Carousel
A traditional-style carousel ride, generally operated seasonally and separately from general park access.
Ice-skating rink
A seasonal outdoor ice-skating facility associated with the park. Public-skate schedules, rentals, and operating dates vary.
Trails and natural areas
Wooded areas and walking routes suitable for casual walks, nature observation, and family outings. Trail conditions may vary after rain or during seasonal maintenance.
Picnicking and shelters
Numerous picnic areas and reservable shelters are available for family gatherings and group events.
Sports and active recreation
The park includes athletic fields, courts, and other recreation facilities; availability may depend on reservations, leagues, and seasonal schedules.
Check the attraction schedule before traveling, especially if the miniature train, carousel, farm, nature center, or ice rink is a primary objective. Allow extra time for parking and walking between areas. Bring water, sun protection, and weather-appropriate clothing.
General park entry typically does not require advance booking. Reservations may be advisable or required for picnic shelters, organized activities, athletic facilities, programs, and special events. Seasonal attractions may use timed sessions or have limited capacity.
This overview is general knowledge, not confirmed against an official source — verify hours, prices and entry rules before you go.
Photo gallery
See it before you go
Most asked
How to reach
Watkins Regional Park is about 5.0 km (~62 min walk) from Largo Town Center station on the Washington Metro.
Before you go
Good to know
Verify tickets, seasonal hours, entry rules, and special events on the official website before visiting.
Pair it up
Also near this station
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill
Restaurants · 5 min walk
★ 4.0
Courtyard by Marriott Largo Medical Center Drive
Hotels · 9 min walk
★ 4.1
Residence Inn by Marriott Largo Medical Center Drive
Hotels · 10 min walk
★ 4.1
City of Praise Family Ministries
Places to visit · 16 min walk
★ 4.8
Jasper's Restaurant
Restaurants · 16 min walk
★ 4.2
Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa - Capitol Heights
Restaurants · 18 min walk
★ 4.4
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Watkins Regional Park from Largo Town Center station?
Watkins Regional Park is about 4998 m (roughly 62 min walk) from Largo Town Center station on the Washington Metro. Use the directions link on this page for turn-by-turn walking directions.
What is Watkins Regional Park rated?
Watkins Regional Park has a Google rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 2,735 reviews.
What's near Watkins Regional Park?
Also within a short walk of the same station: Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, Courtyard by Marriott Largo Medical Center Drive, Residence Inn by Marriott Largo Medical Center Drive.
Is Watkins Regional Park wheelchair accessible?
Yes — Google lists the following accessibility features for Watkins Regional Park: wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible parking.
Is there parking near Watkins Regional Park?
Google lists these parking options near Watkins Regional Park: free parking lot, free street parking.
Is Watkins Regional Park good for children?
Yes — Google lists Watkins Regional Park as good for children.
Are dogs allowed at Watkins Regional Park?
Yes — Google lists Watkins Regional Park as dog-friendly.
Is Watkins Regional Park free to enter?
General access to the park grounds has commonly been free. Individual attractions, rentals, programs, shelters, and special events may charge separate fees.
What is the park best known for?
It is best known for the Wizard of Oz Playground, Old Maryland Farm, Watkins Nature Center, seasonal train and carousel rides, and extensive family-oriented recreation facilities.
Can I visit the farm and nature center every day?
They may not follow the same hours as the outdoor park grounds. Their schedules can vary by season, staffing, holidays, and programming, so confirm before visiting.
Are the train and carousel open year-round?
They are generally seasonal attractions, most commonly associated with warmer-weather operation, and may also close for weather or maintenance.
Is there ice skating at the park?
A seasonal ice-skating rink has historically been associated with Watkins Regional Park. Public sessions, skate rentals, and dates vary and should be confirmed before travel.
Can I reserve a picnic shelter?
Picnic shelters and some other facilities are generally reservable through Prince George’s County Parks. Advance reservation is recommended for weekends and larger groups.
Is the park suitable for toddlers?
Yes. The themed playgrounds, farm, nature experiences, and picnic areas make it popular with families. Adult supervision is required, and some attractions may have age or height rules.
How long should I plan to stay?
Plan at least two hours for a focused visit. Families combining the playground, farm, nature center, picnic, and seasonal rides can easily spend most of a day.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are generally allowed only in permitted outdoor areas and should be leashed. They are likely restricted from playgrounds, buildings, animal areas, and posted no-pet zones.
Data and photos from Google Places, generated August 23, 2026. Ratings, hours and prices can change — confirm anything time-sensitive before you go.