fbpx Skip to the content
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Ale Trail

ale trail logo with yellow boot on navy background

Prost and Welcome

Join us Saturday, September 21 from 11am – 3pm, for a part festival and part hiking experience. Parks Ale Trail has something for everyone! The main festival area features live music at the main stage, beer stations, and regional food trucks. Kids can enjoy live entertainment and tree climbing.

You can head out on a 2.5-mile roundtrip hike and take in the beautiful sights and sounds of Lake Needwood. Take a break at the mid-way beer garden at the Needwood Mansion parking lot to wet your whistle at another beer garden, grab a snack, and listen to live acoustic music. And back in the main festival area, don’t forget to snag a Parks Ale Trail coozie before you leave!

Just a reminder, lederhosen are encouraged, but not required!


Ale Trail Breakdown

providing green background

Main Festival Area

  • Main stage with Vertigo Red
  • Beer vendors
  • Food vendors
  • Inflatable axe throwing
  • Lawn games
yellow background

Mid-Hike Beer Garden

  • Acoustic stage
  • Beer vendors
  • Snack vendors
  • Kids Archaeology

Food and Drink



Check Out Ale Trail 2022

abundance of beers at the ale trail event
family and friends sitting in the grass with their dog at the ale trail event
ted gerber singing and playing guitar.
couple enjoying a beer at the alt trail
the band playing for a crowd at the ale trail event
a couple and their dog at the ale trail event
Three people holding beer with blue coozie
family sitting in the grass enjoying a nice day at the ale trail event
friends enjoying a beer at the ale trail event
woman hands a man a beer