The Greenbelt Forest Preserve is nestled between the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the historic city of Old Greenbelt, Maryland, at the intersection of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD-295) and the Capital Beltway (I-495). The closest exit is Greenbelt Road (MD-193-East), which intersects with Southway, one of the main roads through Old Greenbelt.

The North Tract entrance is located off of Northway Road extended, near the intersection of Ridge Road and Northway and the City of Greenbelt Observatory. Parking is available in nearby Northway Fields.

Old Greenbelt is served by Metrorail and Metrobus , Prince George's County TheBus and the Shuttle UM, the bus service of the University of Maryland.