Northern Virginia is blessed with many beautful parks and marinas. Here’s a list of the one’s I know about. Let me know of any others!
Aldie Mill Historic Park
39401 John Mosby Highway
Aldie, VA 20105
703-327-9777
www.nvrpa.org/aldie_mill_historic_park
At Aldie Mill the unique heritage of water powered gristmills is remembered and preserved. Touring and grinding demonstrations are help seasonally on weekends from April to November. Check website for details.
Algonkian Regional Park
47001 Fairway Drive
Sterling, VA 20165
703-450-4655
Located on the scenic Potomac River, Algonkian Park hosts the Volcano Island Waterpark ( a favorite with my son when he was young), a par-72 golf course, mini golf, trails a boat launch, picnic shelters, barbecue grills, vacation cottages and a wedding/ meeting center. Open year round (waterpark Memorial Day to Labor Day).
Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
Ball’s Bluff Rd
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-737-7800
www.nvrpa.org/park/ball_s_bluff
Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park preserves the site of the largest Civil War engagement in Loudoun County. It offers weekend guide tours and living history events. Open year round, seasonal tours.
Beaverdam Reservoir
42400 Mt. Hope Road
Ashburn, VA 20148
703-327-3403
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/beaverdam-reservoir
Water access on Beaverdam Reservoir will close temporarily beginning November 1, 2016. Beaverdam Reservoir’s marked trails are open for public access from dawn to dusk. During the closure water access is prohibited. No fishing, boating, paddling or other water activities permitted.
Blue Ridge Regional Park
Bluemont VA 20135
703-352-5900
Nestled on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge mountains, Blue Ridge Regional Park offers the ideal setting for group camping. Basic necessities such as parking, fire rings and picnic tables are provided. Open year round by reservation only.
Brambleton Golf Course
42180 Ryan Rd
Ashburn VA 20148
703-327-3403
Built on rolling farmland and designed by Hank Gordon, this picturesque course opened in 1994. Open year round (weather permitting), tee times are encouraged although not required.
Bull Run Marina Regional Park
12619 Old Yates Ford Rd
Clifton VA
703-250-9124
www.nvpra.org/park/bull_run_marina
Located on the waters of the Occoquan Reservoir, this park offers opportunities for high school crew practice, fishing and boating. Open March through December (consult website for details)
Bull Run Regional Park
7700 Bull Run Drive
Centreville, VA 20121
703-631-0550
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-regional-park
Spacious tree-lined fields can accommodate thousands of people for everything from picnics to camping to special events. It offers the only public shooting range in Northern Virginia and an indoor archery range. Atlantis Waterpark offers a pair of riveting waterslides and an awesome dumping bucket. Open year round (waterpark seasonally from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day).
Cameron Run Regional Park
4001 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
703-960-0767
www.nvrpa.org/park/cameron_run/
Offers a variety of recreational activities including Great Waves waterpark, Paradise Play beach themed play structure, fishing on Lake Cook, mini golf, a batting cage, picnic shelters and a special events pavilion. Open year round.
Carlyle House Historic Park
121 N. Fairfax St
Alexandria VA 22314
703-549-2997
www.nvrpa.org/carlyle_house_historic_park
Carlyle House was built in 1753 and is unique in that it is the only stone, 18th century Palladian-style house in Alexandria. It offers daily tours, event for school children, reenactments and other events throughout the year. Open year round.
Eakin Community Park
8515 Tobin Rd
Annandale, VA 22003
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/plandev/eakin-park.htm
350 acres including a playground, athletic fields, trail connections, picnic areas, and access to the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail, the park is a popular community draw. Open: Year round.
Fountainhead Regional Park
10875 Hampton Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
703-250-9124
www.nvrpa.org/park/fountainhead
Fountainhead offers a spectacular view of the widest part of the Occoquan Reservoir, where visitors can fish, canoe, kayak or rent a boat. Also offers a challenging mountain bike trail. Open: Varies based on amenity, see website for details.
Fox Mill Park
2431 Fox Mill Rd
Herndon, VA 20171
703-324-8662
www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/fox-mill-district-park.html
Approximately 4 miles of trails between Fox Mill and Lawyers Road in Herndon. Open: Year round.
Franklin Park
17501 Franklin Park Dr
Purcellville, VA 20132
540-338-7603
https://www.loudoun.gov/FranklinPark
203 acres with trails, a horse riding ring, a water park, a performing arts center and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Open year round, dawn till dusk, water park open seasonally.
Frying Pan Park
2709 West Ox Road
Herndon, VA 20171
703-437-9101
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fryingpanpark/
The park and KidWell Farm preserve and interpret a 1920s through 1950s farm, agricultural process, rural community life and landscape. Open: Year round.
Gateway Regional Park
Pickett & Old Pickett Roads
Fairfax. VA 22013
703-729-0596
www.nvrpa.org/park/gateway_regional_park
Gateway Park is a crossroads rest stop for the W&OD/ City of Fairfax Connector Trail and the Accotink Creek Trail. Open year round.
Gilbert’s Corner Regional Park
23575 Watson Rd
Aldie, VA 20105
703-327-9777
www.nvrpa.org/park/gilberts_corner
Includes 155 acres of rolling countryside with a number of waking/ hiking trails in this historic park which was witness to skirmishes in the Civil War. Open: Soon
Hemlock Overlook Regional Park
13220 Yates Ford
Clifton VA 20124
800-877-0954
An outdoor education center operated by Adventure Link, an ACA accredited campsite. Hiking and Horse Trails open year round. Hemlock amenities year round by appointment.
Huntley Meadows Park
3701 Lockheed Blvd
Alexandria, VA 22036
703-768-2525
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows-park/
1,452 acre park south of Alexandria. Has a visitor center, a beaver created wetland with boardwalk, wildlife observation platforms and trails. Open: Year round.
Ida Lee Park
60 Ida Lee Drive NW
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-777-1368
http://www.leesburgva.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/ida-lee-park-recreation-center
Full service recreation facility with fitness center, two indoor pools and full size basketball court, racquetball, banquet hall, fitness programs. Open: Year round except Christmas day.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court
Vienna VA 22182
703-255-3631
www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/
95 acres of ornamental gardens and native plan collections and an indoor tropical atrium. Open year round.
Mount Defiance Historic Park
35945 John Mosby Highway
Middleburg, VA 20117
703-327-9777
The key site for the Battle of Middleburg, this park will eventually have walking trails and interpretative signage. Open year round (park under development).
Mount Zion Historical Park
40309 John Mosby Highway
Aldie, VA 20105
703-327-7777
The site of Mt. Zion Old School Baptist Church, built in 1851. Open: Year round, visit website for hours.
Mount Zion Regional Park
9751 Ox Rd
Lorton VA 22079
703-690-2121
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/occoquan-regional-park
440 acres scenically located on the Occoquan River. Offers shelters, gazebos, batting cages, shoreline fishing, boat launch and storage and trails. Open: Year round, check website for details.
Pohick Bay Regional Park
6501 Pohick Bay Dr
Lorton, VA 22069
703-339-6104
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/pohick-bay-regional-park
Water oriented park on the Potomac River with canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, paddle boards and jon boats for rent. Also hosts Pirate’s Cove Waterpark with water slides, spraying palm trees, slides and pools. Open: Year round. Pool open seasonally.
Pohick Bay Golf Course
10301 Gunston Rd
Lorton, VA 22079
703-339-8585
Well maintinaed 18 hole, 6400 yard, golf course. Open: Year round, weather permitting.
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
2845 N Marcey Rd
Arlington, VA 22207
703-528-5406
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park
70 acres of peaceful woodlands, trails, picnic areas and an organic vegetable garden. Open: Year round.
Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park
43098 Edwards Ferry Rd
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-779-9372
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/red-rock-wilderness-overlook-regional-park
67 acres with 6 nature trails. Open: Year round until dusk.
Rust Sanctuary & Rust Manor House
802 Children’s Center Rd
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-669-0755
Several miles of trails and numerous habitats for viewing different species of plants and wildlife on 68 acres and a mansion house. Open: Year round, see website for hours.
Sandy Run Regional Park
10450 Van Thompson Road
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039
703-690-4392
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/sandy-run-regional-park
Open to the public for education, training, practice and racing for sculling and rowing. No public bat access, but the rails are open to the public. Open: Limited access, visit website.
Seneca Regional Park
101 Seneca Road
Great Falls, VA 22066
703-450-4655
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/seneca-regional-park
Located on the Potomac River, offers hikes on the remains of the Patowmac Canal. Open: Year round, seasonal tours.
Temple Hall Farm Regional Park
15789 Temple Hall Lane
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-779-9372
www.nvrpa.org/park/temple_hall_farm
Beautiful working 289 acre farm that dates back to 1810.Tours and hayrides available on weekends. The Maize and Fall Festival offers a 24 acress corn maze, paintball, pedal cars, bouncy horses and more. Open: Year round.
Upton Hill Regional Park
6060 Wilson Rd
Arlington, VA 22205
703-534-3437
A large water park complex, Ocean Dunes Waterpark, mini golf, and batting cages in the heart of Arlington. Open: Seasonally, varies by amenity, check website.
W&OD Railroad Regional Park
21293 Smiths Switch Road
Ashburn, VA 20147
703-729-0956
www.nvrpa.org/park/w_od_railroad/
100ft wide W&OD has been called the skinniest park in Virginia. Runs 45 miles between Shirlington and Purcellville. Open: Year round, varies by amenity, check website.
Webb Nature Sanctuary
12829 Chestnut St
Clifton, VA 20124
703-690-4392
20 acres of trails with wildlife. Open: Year round, dawn to dusk.
White’s Ford Regional Park
43646 Hibler Rd
Leesburg, VA 20176
703-779-9372
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/whites-ford-regional-park
Half mile long stretch of waterfront on the Potomac River with access for non-motorised vehicles. Open: Year round.
Here are some other lists of things in our lovely area:
Arts & Crafts in Loudoun County
Breweries in Loudoun and surrounds
Community Supported Agriculture in Loudoun
Where to Stay in Loudoun and Surrounding Counties
Wineries in Loudoun County and Surrounds
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