Travel and Stay
Conference Venue
As environmental humanists, we recognize that in-person meetings such as the ASLE conference are largely made possible by fossil fuels and thereby contribute to climate change. Guided by the goals outlined in the 2020-2026 ASLE Strategic Plan, we selected this conference site due to its relative proximity to the majority of ASLE members as well as its connectivity to interstate rail transit. Additionally, College Park is located on the Green Line of the DC light rail metro system, and we encourage attendees to utilize it when possible. The stop is about a mile from campus. https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/college-park.cfm#
The nearby area boasts several projects and landmarks of interest, including ECO City Farms, the Hyattsville Food Forests, the Rachel Carson House, and the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. As per tradition, the conference will include field trips of this type, as well as a local Cultural Crawl night. Local committee members will also compile some “create your own adventure” suggestions.
The University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship university, located just outside Washington, D.C. One of the nation’s preeminent public research universities with an enrollment nearly 41,000, UMD has a commitment to environmental and social values, such as the programs, projects, and events offered through the Office of Sustainability’s SustainableUMD network and the School of Public Policy’s Do Good Institute.
Attendee Message Board for seeking Rideshares, Roommates/Suitemates, Childcare/Activities for Families: Please use THIS LINK to post/search under your topic at the padlet message board.
Lodging Options
Lodging blocks have been arranged at several places on or near campus. Your stay at one of these places means ASLE won’t be on the hook for unfilled room blocks, so we really encourage you to book your stay at one of them!
Dorms on Campus
Dorm rooms at the University of Maryland will be available for 4 or 5 night stays only.
Campus overnight lodging is available in the South Hill Community. Bookings can be made via this link.
Suites in the South Hill Community are centrally located on campus, and a short walk to conference sessions. Suites range from 3-5 bedrooms (combining Single-Occupancy and Double-Occupancy rooms) per Suite with 1-2 baths in each Suite. They include furnished living rooms and bedrooms and can house up to 8 participants per Suite. You may designate your roommates and/or suitemates at registration. Laundry facilities are available.
Includes South Campus Dining Hall breakfasts day after check in and day of check out, and lunches day after check in and days of stay. Prices listed are per person, and include all MD state taxes.
- 4-night (July 8 -11) Double-Occupancy: $385
- 4-night (July 8 -11) Single-Occupancy: $575
- 5-night (July 7 -11) Double-Occupancy: $485
- 5-night (July 7 -11) Single-Occupancy: $720
To save Pheedloop fees and pay the mandatory 6% Maryland state tax, the lodging/meal or lunch only packages listed above can be purchased via this link
The Hotel at the University of Maryland
7777 Baltimore Ave
College Park, MD 20740
Distance from campus: adjacent, closest to College Park restaurants and metro station
Conference Rate: 1 King or 2 Queen Beds $179/night (after taxes $202.27/night)
Reservation Cutoff Date: June 16, 2025
Conference Rate Reservation Link
College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
3501 University Blvd E
Hyattsville, MD 20783
Distance from Campus: adjacent
Conference Rate: $149/night king (after taxes $168.37/night), $169/night double (after taxes $190.97/night)
Reservation Cutoff Date: June 16, 2025
Conference Rate Reservation Link
Transportation
Airport Transport
Reagan National is the closest airport to the UMD campus, although it is easily reached from BWI airport, Dulles International is farther away, but still an option.
A summary of travel options, including driving, trains and metro, can be found at this link.
Around Town
Capital Bikeshare rental bikes and e-bikes are available at three locations on and around the University of Maryland campus.
UMD Campus Shuttle
UMD operates a free campus shuttle, and some routes do not require a university ID to ride. This includes Route #104, which goes to the College Park Metro Station and downtown College Park, as well as has a stop near the Hotel at the University of Maryland. Please be aware that many other routes are limited or do not run in the summer.
College Park Metro
There is a DC metro stop in College Park, about a 20 minute walk or short shuttle ride (see ) from campus. It is on the Green Line, and has stops in downtown near Smithsonian museums.
TheBus
Prince Georges County operates a system called TheBus, and several routes service the College Park area. Cost: $1 per ride, and seniors/youths/those with physical limitations ride free. Please note that TheBus service does not operate in the evenings; last pickup at the College Park Metro, for example, is at 6:42 PM.
Dining
Breakfast and lunch is provided as part of all on-campus dorm lodging packages.
Lunch packages for the campus dining hall at UMD are available at registration for attendees not staying on campus ($60/4 lunches). Due to the lack of easily accessible lunch venues, and to promote more opportunities to interact outside of sessions, we highly encourage purchasing this package.
The following links can help you to find out more about the area’s eating options for other meals.
Childcare
While ASLE is unable to provide on-site childcare, we acknowledge and support how difficult it can be to be a single-parent academic, parent of a young child or infant, or one of many other complex family situations that are part of our attendees lived experience.
We welcome the presence of children of any age at any conference venue under the care of their parents. McKeldin Library offers a lactation room for new mothers. The room is private and lockable and has a chair, table and refrigerator.
In addition, here are some links and options to assist parents in arranging care if they are in need of it during the conference. Please note: ASLE is not directly affiliated or contracted with any services, we are providing information only.
This multi-topic message board has a Childcare thread, and provides a forum for connecting with other attendees about nanny share or babysitting swap.
Other links to explore:
https://family.sittercity.com/
https://locatesearch.marylandfamilynetwork.org/city/college-park-md
https://winnie.com/place/dulce-leon-college-park
https://winnie.com/place/theresas-family-child-care-and-preschool-college-park
Exploring the Region
Coming Soon: We will post a list of attractions in the area curated by our local committee members!
Other College Park Information
Coming Soon!