Is College Park Woods safe?
College Park, Maryland · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates College Park Woods as “Go”.
Gogo's take on College Park Woods
“Go. College Park Woods is a quiet, safe, and established residential enclave tucked next to the University of Maryland and parklands. It has remarkably low violent crime and feels distinctly suburban despite its proximity to a major university campus.”
About the area
College Park Woods is an affluent, heavily wooded mid-century neighborhood comprised mostly of single-family split-level and ranch homes. It is home to university faculty, researchers, long-time residents, and graduate students who appreciate its serene, secluded atmosphere.
- Quiet / Residential
- Wooded
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in College Park Woods
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 44/100
Veo shared e-bikes and scooters operate in College Park, and the neighborhood has convenient access to the regional Paint Branch Trail and Anacostia River Trail systems.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent and property crime rates compared to adjacent Prince George's County corridors
- High homeownership rate and stable, well-maintained mid-century housing stock
- Peaceful, shaded neighborhood streets with minimal cut-through vehicular traffic
- Immediate access to nature, university grounds, and adjacent recreational trails
Cons
- Isolated location requires a car or bike for nearly all daily errands and dining
- Very limited commercial amenities or nightlife within walking distance
- Subdued lighting on some residential streets late at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and encampments are virtually nonexistent within this purely residential neighborhood, with minimal transient activity.
What College Park Woods is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and pleasant, with residents walking dogs and joggers using the quiet, winding streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and safe, with light local traffic and occasional university commuters or delivery vehicles.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding-down with neighbors strolling; extremely low crime risk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and tranquil; while personal safety is high, visibility is limited due to dense tree cover.
Transit, parking and getting around
WMATA Metrobus (C8, R8) and UMD Shuttle-UM routes serve nearby Metzerott Road and University Boulevard, connecting to the College Park-UMD Metro Station (Green Line, about 2.5 miles away).
Street parking is widely available and free throughout the neighborhood, though certain blocks near campus access points may have city residential permit restrictions.
Things to do in College Park Woods
- Walk or jog through the shaded neighborhood loops connecting directly to local parkland
- Play a round of golf at the nearby University of Maryland Golf Course on Metzerott Road
- Explore the nearby Paint Branch Stream Valley Trail for extended biking and birding
Local favorites
- The Board and Brew · Cafe & Board Game Lounge · 4.6★ (1100)A popular campus-adjacent gathering spot serving espresso drinks, craft beer, and casual fare alongside hundreds of board games.
- Marathon Deli · Greek Deli · 4.7★ (950)A beloved local staple famous for authentic gyros, loaded fries, and signature Marathon sauce.
- Mulligan's Grill and Pub · American Restaurant & Pub · 4.3★ (320)A casual clubhouse eatery located on the UMD Golf Course offering burgers, sandwiches, and scenic green views.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.