To my surprise, this trail was found by accident as I had finished an errand in Herndon and needed…read morea place to kill time and explore. This trail/park allows you to see the beautiful nature Northern VA offers with the trees, streams, trails, and surroundings of buildings and landscapes. It's a long trail and it intersects with the WO&D trail. Plenty of space and mileage to explore and perfect for biking/walking/jogging. Get those steps in!

I love walking this easy trail with my dog and am so fortunate to have it located so close from…read morehome. There is plenty of shade and is great for bikers, runners, dog walkers and if you are looking for a simple trail to take your family to! There is also a really neat wall of painted rocks that the community has been contributing to which is awesome because we all get to add to one big piece of art! On a few of my walks here, I've seen deer, raccoons, and foxes so there is a pretty good chance you may spot some wildlife too.

Reservoir Park is such a gem. Peaceful, spacious, and perfect for a reset--whether you're walking,…read morerelaxing, or just taking in the view. There is a spot to boat launch and you can also rent kayaks by the hour. There is plenty of parking. Restroom are clean and pavilions available to rent.

Plentiful parking, nice facilities, and a pretty well maintained trail system make this a very nice…read moreplace for recreation. It's dog friendly and the trails are well marked.

It's bigger than you think. 18 miles for the car tour and a ton more hiking paths. It was also…read morehillier than I thought. Once you're there you'll understand how prominent Henry and Matthews's hills are. Well worth the visit.

The walk and drive through history is easy at this national park and it's well worth a visit. If…read moreyou go in the warmer months use insect repellent. I picked up a tick during my mid March visit when I walked all the unfinished rail line. This is a no-fee park so if you're looking for something interesting and free, this is it.

My boyfriend and I decided to make a fall date out of visiting Temple Hall Farm after seeing the…read morebeautiful pumpkin and sunflower photos online. It is a little under an hour from DC, and tickets cost 15 dollars per person. That price includes a pumpkin and as many flowers as you want to take home, which sounded like a great setup for a festive afternoon. When you arrive, they take you on a wagon ride out to the fields. Once you get off, they give you a little cart along with a mini saw and a pruner so you can cut your pumpkin right off the vine. They also point you toward areas marked with orange flags, where pumpkins are supposedly still growing. That part was fun in theory and we were hopeful at first. Unfortunately, once we started searching, the experience went downhill. The pumpkins in the flagged areas were either completely rotting, cracked open, or shriveled. We checked everywhere they recommended and still struggled to find anything worth taking home. It took more than 15 minutes just to find a single pumpkin that was not in a sad state. Honestly, if you do choose to come here, do not even bother walking into the actual fields. There are pumpkins sitting near the entrance that are in far better condition. Grab one of those and save yourself the disappointment. The sunflower situation was even more surprising. Every sunflower was dried out and brown. After seeing so many bright, Instagram-worthy photos online, it was a huge letdown. We were really looking forward to cutting some fresh flowers to bring home, but there were none to be found. Because it is marketed as a family friendly fall destination, we expected more activities too. There was only a slide and a bouncy pad for kids, and not much else. The whole area felt neglected and honestly a bit forgotten. I can only imagine how many parents end up taking home pumpkins that will not last through the week, just so their kids can feel like they found one. There were a few vendors selling snacks. We tried the apple cider, which had good flavor, but it had a fizzy hint that made it seem like it was already starting to ferment. We left feeling disappointed and wishing we had gone somewhere else. The farm has so much potential based on the photos online, but the reality did not match at all. If you are searching for a fun pumpkin picking date or a festive fall atmosphere, I would not recommend Temple Hall Farm. There are definitely better options out there for the same drive and price.

We LOVE this farm and the best thing is that it's free (except during their fall festival from ~Sep…read moreto Oct). So many things to do, the trampolines are a huge hit with my kids, the sand it amazing, so soft! Love the big slide and playground and the animals are always hanging near the fences (unlike other farms) so you always get a good sighting of them. We've even been lucky enough to come during feeding hours and they let the kids help with the feeding. Ample parking and clean bathrooms, what else can you ask for?

I went on one of the monthly astronomy nights. The program was great and it was wonderful to see…read morethe stars at night I. This dark sky area. It was also exciting to look through the telescopes that many volunteers brought to share and see things like Jupiter and its moons, Venus in phase, and double stars! If you come for an astronomy nights, I recommend downloading an app about constellations and bringing a red light flashlight or using a red light app on your phone.

We stumbled upon this gem after visiting a nearby orchard. Just a gorgeous autumn afternoon to take…read morepictures. The Love sign is near the parking lot. We did not take advantage of the trails, but is definitely something to do in the future!

The entrance and parking for the Chapman DeMary Trail is behind the building at 205 East Hirst…read moreRoad. Look for a sign and some picnic tables. The trail runs along the South Fork Catoctin Creek. Good option for pleasant stroll on flat ground in a forest. One downside: it is close enough to Hirst Road and Leesburg Pike (Rt 7) that you hear traffic noise the whole time.

My spouse, tween daughter, and I enjoyed our visit here. We went on a Sunday early afternoon and…read moredid the wagon ride for $6 per person. It was 25 minutes long and it took you to the back fields and through the woods. It wasn't mind blowing but it was a pleasant ride to immerse in and kind of feel like you are on a farm. We bought tickets at the store where they also have cool old-timey simple toys for sale, along with items like apple butter. We loved seeing the animals including cows, calves, horses, pigs, peacocks, ducks, and very vocal sheep! Parking and general admission are free! If you are in the area, this is a wonderful stop to make. You can even milk cows at certain times of day.

What a fun place! I went with my partner and it was very enjoyable. We greatly enjoyed seeing all…read moreof the animals, especially the baby goats. They were so adorable! The Fairfax county parks system does an incredible job making experiences all ages can enjoy. Will return!

A lovely park with a lot to offer visitors to the area…read moreClaude Moore Park, located near Dulles Airport in Sterling, VA, is a hidden gem offering a mix of natural beauty and recreational activities. It spans over 350 acres and provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the nearby airport and city. The park features a variety of walking trails that wind through forests, meadows, and around serene ponds, making it a perfect spot for nature enthusiasts, photographers, and families looking for a relaxing outdoor experience. The park also has sports fields, picnic areas, and a visitor center with exhibits about the local history and wildlife. For those interested in history, the Lanesville Heritage Area within the park offers a glimpse into 18th and 19th-century life, including a historic house and farm buildings. During my visit, I found the trails to be fairly well-maintained and the signage helpful for navigating the expansive grounds. Parking near the visitor center was limited but there are other lots near the fields. Our group was there so that we could use the rustic buildings and forest as a natural backdrop and the park was perfect for that. The trails to the lake and around the older barns and buildings are not paved and may be difficult for the mobility impaired but they are level. Overall, this is a good park with a lot to offer visitors from sports to nature. It's a peaceful, enjoyable spot worth visiting if you're in the Dulles are