The Best Parks and Trails in Northern Virginia, From the W&OD to Great Falls

Northern Virginia’s best parks and trails start with two long paved routes, the 45-mile W&OD Trail and the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail, and branch out to Great Falls, Prince William Forest Park, Huntley Meadows and dozens of regional and county parks. You can bike from Arlington to Loudoun, watch kayakers below the falls, and walk a wetland boardwalk, all within a short drive of most neighborhoods. Here’s my guide to the standouts by area, plus how trail access fits into a home search.

The long trails that connect the region

Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail

Built on a former railroad bed, the W&OD runs 45 paved miles from Shirlington to Purcellville, passing through Arlington, Falls Church, Fairfax County, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn and Leesburg, according to NOVA Parks. A separate gravel path runs alongside for about 32 miles for horseback riders. It’s a commuting route, a weekend long-ride and a neighborhood walking path all at once. Downtown Vienna, Reston Town Center and downtown Leesburg all sit close to the trail.

Mount Vernon Trail

This National Park Service trail runs roughly 18 miles along the Potomac and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, from Theodore Roosevelt Island through Arlington and Old Town Alexandria to Mount Vernon. Expect skyline views, airplanes landing at Reagan National near Gravelly Point and plenty of company on nice weekends.

Other connectors

• Custis Trail: links the Rosslyn area to the W&OD along I-66 in Arlington.
• Four Mile Run Trail: follows the stream along the Arlington and Alexandria border and meets the W&OD and Mount Vernon Trail.
• Fairfax County Cross County Trail: a long, mostly natural-surface route running north to south across the county from the Potomac near Great Falls to the Occoquan River, linking stream valley parks along the way.
• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail: segments run along the Virginia side of the river, including through Riverbend and Great Falls.

Standout parks by area

Park	Where	Best for	Good to know
Great Falls Park	Fairfax County (McLean/Great Falls)	Overlooks of the falls, river trails	National Park Service fee area
Riverbend Park	Fairfax County (Great Falls)	Quieter river walks, paddling	County park next to Great Falls
Theodore Roosevelt Island	Arlington	Wooded loop trails steps from Rosslyn	Pedestrian bridge from the parkway lot
Huntley Meadows Park	Fairfax County (Alexandria area)	Wetland boardwalk, birding	Bikes and dogs have restrictions on trails
Burke Lake Park	Fairfax County (Fairfax Station)	Lakeside loop trail, fishing	Popular on weekends
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens	Fairfax County (Vienna)	Gardens and seasonal displays	Admission fee
Prince William Forest Park	Prince William County (Triangle)	Forest hiking, camping	National Park Service fee area
Leesylvania State Park	Prince William County (Woodbridge)	Potomac shoreline, boat launch	Virginia State Parks fee
Mason Neck State Park	Fairfax County (Lorton)	Bayside trails, eagle watching	Virginia State Parks fee
Algonkian Regional Park	Loudoun County (Sterling)	Potomac frontage, golf, cottages	NOVA Parks
Red Rock Wilderness Overlook	Loudoun County (Leesburg)	Short hikes with river views	NOVA Parks
Manassas National Battlefield Park	Prince William County	Open fields, history trails	National Park Service

Great Falls Park

The falls of the Potomac are the region’s most dramatic scenery, with three overlooks a short walk from the visitor area and longer routes such as the River Trail. The park charges $20 per private vehicle, and since January 2025 it accepts card or electronic payment only. On spring and fall weekends the lot fills early, so arrive in the morning or come on a weekday. If you live in Great Falls or McLean, it can be a quick drive.

Fairfax County favorites

Huntley Meadows protects a large freshwater wetland off Route 1 with an accessible boardwalk and observation tower, a favorite with birders. Burke Lake Park wraps a lake with a nearly five-mile loop trail. Lake Accotink Park in Springfield connects to the Cross County Trail. Close to Kingstowne and Lorton, Mason Neck State Park and the neighboring national wildlife refuge are known for bald eagles. More on those areas in my guides to Burke and Springfield and Kingstowne and Lorton.

Prince William County

Prince William Forest Park is a large protected forest near Triangle with miles of hiking trails, a scenic loop road popular with cyclists, and cabin and tent camping. Leesylvania State Park sits on a peninsula on the Potomac with a beach area, fishing pier and boat ramp. Manassas National Battlefield Park pairs history with long, open trails.

Loudoun County

Algonkian Regional Park has Potomac frontage and a riverside trail. Red Rock Wilderness Overlook near Leesburg offers short wooded hikes to bluffs above the river. Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve south of Leesburg has meadow and forest trails. And the W&OD ties it together: you can ride from Ashburn to Leesburg and Purcellville.

How trail access fits into a home search

When buyers tell me a trail is high on their list, I suggest checking a few things beyond the map pin:

• Real walking distance to an entrance. A trail 300 feet behind a home may be blocked by fences or a stream, with the nearest access half a mile away.
• Trail-side privacy and noise. Backing to a busy trail means passers-by, cyclists and sometimes lights. Some buyers love it; some don’t.
• Floodplains. Many trails follow streams such as Four Mile Run, Difficult Run, Accotink Creek and Bull Run. Check FEMA flood maps and ask about water history. My post on checking flood risk explains how.
• Parking and weekend traffic. Homes near popular trailheads may see overflow parking on nice days.
• Commute potential. The W&OD, Custis and Mount Vernon trails are real bike commuting routes into Arlington and DC. Compare with my commute guide.

A worked example: comparing two homes (illustrative)

These are hypothetical numbers, not real listings, to show how trail access can factor into a decision.

	Home A	Home B
Distance to W&OD access	0.2 miles (4-minute walk)	2 miles (drive or bike on roads)
Illustrative price	$825,000	$800,000
Weekly trail use the buyer expects	5 to 6 times	1 to 2 times
Floodplain status	Rear of lot near mapped flood zone	Outside mapped flood zone
Annual flood insurance (quote needed)	Possibly required by lender	Optional

In this example, Home A gives daily trail access for $25,000 more, but its rear lot sits near a flood zone, so the buyer should get an insurance quote and an elevation certificate before deciding. If the quote is modest and the buyer will use the trail daily, A may be worth it. If not, B plus a short drive is the better value.

Common mistakes when choosing a home for outdoor access

• Assuming a park behind the house means open access from the backyard.
• Skipping the flood map check for homes near stream valley parks.
• Visiting trailheads only on weekdays, then discovering weekend parking crowds.
• Overlooking future trail projects or road crossings that change how a path feels.
• Paying a premium for proximity to a trail you’ll realistically use once a month.

For more on picking an area, see my guide to choosing a neighborhood and browse the areas I serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the W&OD Trail?

The paved W&OD Trail is 45 miles long, running from Shirlington in Arlington to Purcellville in Loudoun County, with a separate gravel horse trail along about 32 miles of it.

Does Great Falls Park in Virginia charge an entrance fee?

Yes. Great Falls Park charges $20 per private vehicle and accepts only card or electronic payment. National park passes are honored.

Where does the Mount Vernon Trail start and end?

It runs about 18 miles from Theodore Roosevelt Island in Arlington south through Old Town Alexandria to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.

What are the best easy hikes in Northern Virginia?

Good options include the Huntley Meadows boardwalk, the Theodore Roosevelt Island loop, the Burke Lake loop and the short trails at Red Rock Wilderness Overlook. Each is mostly flat or short, but check current conditions before you go.