Woah, Jonathan is writing about Virginia again?! Who could’ve guessed.
Growing up outside D.C. granted me a wonderful opportunity to explore the surprisingly forested suburbs of Virginia. Here are some of my favorite natural escapes in the area!
Prince William Forest Park
I’m not entirely convinced that this park exists outside the necessity for a forced forest to give the FBI some coverup.
Look at us, starting off strong!
This park, owned and maintained by the National Park Service, sets its own standard for federally protected land. It’s the only ‘Forest Park’ in the nation!
About 30 miles from D.C. in Triangle, Virginia, it has 37 miles of trails, 21 miles of biking, several campgrounds and even cabins. The trails wind around the park visiting highlights such as an abandoned mine, a lake and a creek with (very small) waterfalls.
The park’s visitor center is a great place to orient yourself before venturing into the woods.
Being NPS-protected land, there is an entrance fee of $20/car, which can easily be bypassed with a National Park pass.
Manassas National Battlefield
Arguably one of the most historic points in NOVA, this National Battlefield was the site of two encounters in the Civil War.
Today, the horror and destruction of war are long past. The rolling green hills now provide a tranquil walk through the shady woods and along a creek all under a view of the somewhat-imposing Bull Run Mountains.
Manned by the National Park Service, the park has a state-of-the art visitor center with exhibits on the two conflicts. Artifacts found on-site and an introductory movie are the best way to launch your tour.
Mason Neck State Park/Leesylvania State Park
Here’s a fun fact about me, I grew up going to a ‘Junior Ranger’ summer camp at Leesylvania. I’ve made the decision to lump these two together as they have similar offerings. They’re actually only three miles away, but the beauty of driving makes the trek 30 minutes. Mason Neck is bigger and closer to DC and would therefore be my personal recommendation.
The protected “neck” in the Potomac River is Virginia’s closest state park to the District. One of my favorite things to do is rent kayaks to paddle around Belmont Bay. I would never recommend swimming in this water, but they do have a few sandy beaches for waterside reading or picnics.
Both parks have gorgeous views over the Potomac and Leesylvania has a little pond I fondly remember scanning for snakes. The parks each have trails, with the larger Mason Neck beating Leesylvania out for total trail length.
Bull Run – Occoquan Corridor
This river/trail/corridor plays home to a number of great parks along the river. Linking them all is the shady 20 mile Bull Run Occoquan trail winding over the hills lining the river.
The northernmost park is Bull Run Regional Park. Hosting Atlantis waterpark, several trails and a drive-through Christmas light display, this Fairfax County park is about 45 minutes west of D.C.
Moving south, is the Bull Run Marina. This glorified parking lot provides access to the trail and a members only boat launch.
Fountainhead Regional Park is next. Another base for the trail, this park has a public marina and tons of trails specifically designed for mountain biking.
The best way to see them all is by hiking the entirety of the trail! If 20 miles doesn’t sound like your speed, choose a few miles from one of these three parks.
Mount Vernon Trail
Another extra long trail, the Mount Vernon Trail is more focused on biking. Following the Potomac River from Mount Vernon to Teddy Roosevelt Park, its 18 miles take you through Old Town Alexandria and right by National Airport while giving magnificent views of the city across the river.
The trail also leads right into Arlington’s neighborhood of Rosslyn, just under a mile away from Georgetown
There are many parts of the trail that are metro accessible, making it one of the easiest trails to visit from the city.
Huntley Meadows
Nestled away from Old Town Alexandria, the small wetlands’ star is a mess of boardwalks to observe the wildlife below.
The roundtrip boardwalk trails total about two miles with the opportunity to tack on some extra miles in the adjacent woods. The wetlands are accessible from a parking area off Harrison Lane and Lockheed Blvd. The park also has a visitor center with restrooms and a gift shop. Plus, unless you have 12+ people, there’s also no entry fee!
The historic Huntley Home sits on the park’s grounds. The historic house is open for tours on some Saturdays. The house was built in 1825 by Thomas Mason, George Mason’s grandson, who was the mayor of Alexandria. It’s recognized as a National Historic Treasure and protected by the NPS. It’s been closed whenever I visited the park, but I’d be interested to tour the home next time I’m here.
Great Falls Park
One of the area’s most popular natural areas, this park sits just outside the beltway and overlooks the Potomac River’s largest waterfalls. There are quite a few trails over the park’s hills and three overlooks of the waterfalls. The park is managed by the National Park Service and has a steep entrance fee.
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If it’s just the waterfalls you’re after, the Maryland side doesn’t have a fee. It does, however, have an absolutely terrifying rock scramble! My friend Rebecca and I were unaware of it until it was too late. I thought we were plummeting into the river! Nearby Riverbend Park also offers free parking and is only about a mile walk to Great Falls. I would definitely recommend dropping a few bucks in their pay-what-you-wish boxes.
Both the Maryland and Virginia sides of Great Falls have orientation centers.
Burke Lake Park
This Fairfax County park is home to one of the area’s prettiest lakes. The trail around it is about five miles.
I used to run my high school cross country regional races here, so there’s definitely a bit of trauma I had to work through to return.
However, biking in what’s seemingly the middle of the woods alongside a surprisingly beautiful lake is pretty cool; especially considering how densely populated the surrounding area is.
Neabsco Creek Boardwalks
The 3/4-mile boardwalk winds over the marshy wetlands below where tall grasses rise from pools of standing water.
The park has so many birds, with the Potomac right around the corner. I’ve also seen otters and raccoons frolicking around the marshy area.
The small trail is part of the larger Neabsco Regional Park which includes the 43 acre Rippon Lodge, built in 1747.
The park is in Prince William County about 20 miles south of D.C. It’s also right next to Leesylvania State Park, so it’s a perfect add on if you’re headed down there.
Leopold’s Preserve
Is this park technically a trail weaving through a neighborhood? Yes, but trust me when I say it’s worth a visit.
The park’s trails aren’t super challenging, but they feel a lifetime away from the adjacent suburban neighborhood. The free park has seven miles of trails and views of Bull Run Mountain over the marshland.
It’s a bit of a trek from Washington, in western Prince William County.
Scott’s Run Nature Preserve
Just a bit upstream from the city, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve is a park on the Potomac River with another waterfall. It’s a relatively short uphill trek from the tiny, free parking lot to the falls.
What the falls lack in power (compared to Great Falls, at least), they make up for it with a starker vertical drop.
Other than the waterfall, there are several trails around the preserve.
Turquoise Skies 