Lake Needwood Boats
Rock Creek Regional Park
Lake Needwood Boat Shop
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 Shop for boat rentals and permits, fishing operations and equipment (including bamboo fishing poles and bait for sale). The Boat Shop Snack Bar (open during the regular season) features ice cream, hot dogs, soda, and a new selection of healthy snacks.
Boat Shop Hours of Operation
Boat Rental Information
Pontoon Tours
Private Boats and Mooring Area
Fishing
Directions
Special Announcements
Needwood Queen Docked for the Season
The Needwood Queen pontoon boat tours will not be running this last weekend (9/27 & 9/28) at Lake Needwood--we're docking her a week early to start repairs and maintenance, and tuck her away for the winter. But...you still have one more weekend to play on the water in Montgomery Parks! Rent a canoe, kayak, rowboat or pedal boat here at Lake Needwood , or visit Black Hill Boats in Boyds, where you can tour Little Seneca lake on their pontoon boat, or explore on your own in a canoe, kayak or rowboat. If it's raining, please give us a call before heading out.
Half-Price Mooring Sites
NEW! Effective August 4, 2008, mooring site fees for the remainder of the 2008 boating season (through December 15, 2008) at Lake Needwood will drop from $50.00 to $25.00. The seasonal boating permit remains $65. There are only a few sites left, so call 301-948-0501 today to secure your mooring site at Lake Needwood.
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.
Kayaks: Now Available
We have five brand-new kayaks available for rent at Lake Needwood Boats. If you haven't ever paddled a kayak, give it a try! It's an amazing water experience-- very different from what you'll experience in any other kind of boat. Three single kayaks and two tandem (2-person) kayaks are available to rent for $7/hour plus tax.
Lake Needwood Scavenger Hunt for Kids
NEW! 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 Shop 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 Shop, turn in your cards there. We'll draw one lucky winner each month from the entries, and give you 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. Children up to 12 years old are eligible to win a prize; all can play!
Hours of Operation
Boat Shop
- May and September: Open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
Boat Shop 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. - Regular Season (Memorial Day through Labor Day):
- Wednesday through Friday
Boat Shop hours: Noon - 6:30 p.m.
Boat rentals available: Noon - 5:30 p.m.
All boats must be returned by 6:30 p.m. - Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
Boat Shop 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. - Please note: the Boat Shop is closed Mondays and Tuesdays during the regular season.
- Wednesday through Friday
- Closed October through April.
Snack Bar
The Snack Bar is open weekends and holidays during the Regular Season, Noon - 5 p.m., and features a new selection of healthy snacks, as well as water, soda, hot dogs and ice cream.
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 Shop. Fee Reduction Coupons may be used toward boat rentals.
Types of Boats
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.
Passenger capacity:1 person for single kayaks, 2 people for tandem kayaks
Cost: $7+tax (one hour) and $24+tax (full day)
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: $7+tax (one hour) and
$24+tax (full day)
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:$7+tax (one hour) and $24+tax (full day)
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 + 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 20-30 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: 15 people per trip
Tour departures: Noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
Cost: $2 per person (purchase tickets at the Boat Shop)
Group Tours: Groups of 10-15 people 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.
PLEASE NOTE: The lake is closed to all boating from December 16 through February.
Daily Permits: During the summer, daily permits can be purchased at the Boat Shop. Otherwise, payment for daily permits should be left in the drop box by the Boat Shop. Daily launch fees are $5.
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.**
NEW!**HALF-PRICE mooring sites
Effective 8/4/08, mooring site fees for the remainder of the 2008 boating season (through December 15, 2008) will go from $50.00 to $25.00. The seasonal boating permit remains $65. There are only a few sites left, so call 301-948-0501 today to secure your mooring site.
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. 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 Shop.
