If you enjoy watching planes hovering over your head as you stand there in amazement, this is the place for you. I heard about Gravelly Point Park and finally had the opportunity to visit. The park is picturesque with a slight view of the Washington Monument, the dome of the Jefferson Memorial, Potomac River, riverboats, trails with walkers, riders and runners are nearby. There are plenty of trees and shaded areas to bring a blanket. That's exactly what we did... until I couldn't take it anymore. I was like an excited child videoing and taking plenty of pictures of commercial airliners arriving on the runway across the field and river. Slo-mo video shots come in handy as the planes hit the pavement and smoke poufs in the air. Its simply an amazing excursion. read more

Great place to watch planes land and throw a frisbee! Nice path along the potomac to walk the dog, walk or bike ride! Parking is tough on nice weekends! read more

Very cool viewing area. Could be a romantic spot to sprawl on a blanket and watch the planes take off.

This place is a must-see for airplane buffs and has easily been one of the highlights of our trip to D.C. For the most excitement, sit or stand on the small hill next to the airport fence. This spot is directly under the path of planes coming in for a landing. I can't tell you how thrilling it is to see a plane headed right towards you, hear the roar of the engines as it flies directly overhead, and feel the draft of air it leaves behind as it approaches the runway. It's also super fun to try to get pictures of people with giant planes looming in the background. Just a little side note: if you use the Metro to get there, take it to the Crystal City station and then hike a little over a mile on the Mount Vernon trail, which is actually a bike path so be on the alert and stick to the periphery. read more

I love the place . It get crowded in weekend but it's kinda fun too! What you need is a blanket and some snacks and drinks;) read more

I used to fish here as a child. But nowadays I come with a blanket to relax on the grass. There's also a paved trail if you're looking to jog or bike. The best part is being so close to the planes that fly directly over you to Reagan airport (DCA). Pack a picnic and come out to airplane-watch! read more

This is one of my favorite places to "get away". You've got everything: the water, lush green open space, picnic tables, rugby matches, bike trail/running path, the Potomac River, ample parking, and planes landing and taking off. This park is right beside DCA and the view watching airplanes take off as you lay in the grass is everything. My favorite is coming here on a sunny, Saturday morning and seeing everyone out and about getting some sun and air. It's usually busy here, but has never been too crowded since there's so much open space. This place is also super dog friendly! Like others have mentioned, don't forget to bring your frisbee or a soccer ball. read more

Plane spotting at it's best. This is not a picnic spot but if you get a sandwich or something to eat makes your time go faster. I've been here twice and always enjoyed it. Best time to visit is in the evening when the sun is setting or not on fire. Be prepared to spend at least 30 mins to get some views. The runway could be take off or landing depending on the time.Not sure how you can identify that. One of the visitors was listening to ATC radio and thought of that as clever. Check this place. Kids will have fun. read more

This is a beautiful park. I love the thrill of how low the airplanes get. This is our new go to summer chill spot for the family.

I always run through Gravelly Point on the Mt. Vernon Trail and my biggest fear is that I'll have to use the port-a-johns at Gravelly Point. They are absolutely disgusting, which is puzzling. Forget using one of those things, I can't even stand to smell them when I run by. I always have to hold my breath. Every once in a while one of the port-a-john doors will be open and it's the most horrifying sight on the face of the planet. I don't believe those things are ever cleaned. They really need to be replaced. Other than making sure you never need to go to the bathroom, Gravelly Point us awesome. It gets pretty crowded so go a little earlier. read more

Gravelly Point Park has been a favorite of mine since 1994. On Tuesday May 24, 2016, I took a friend there for her first time. She has lived in the DMV for many years but had never been here or knew about it. She enjoyed herself so much that we came back with some of her family on Sunday May 29, 2016 (day before Memorial Day). We all had such a wonderful time. We got to the park on Sunday around 10:30a. There was no problem finding a parking space. We left just before it poured down raining around 4p(in my word did it pour!), as it was forecast. Now she's planning(along with me)the next trip here and she and I are talking about bringing even more people along. BTW, we had four little pooches with us. Whom all had a wonderful time so much so that when we left in my truck, all dogs went to sleep along with a six year old child. Also the view of Washington DC skyline is awesome. The landing of airplanes just above your head is awesome too. Come and see. read more

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WOW..standing directly (200 feet or so) under a plane as it approaches the airport to land is incredible...beautiful waterfront area too.

As far as parks go, this one is just so-so: a big grass field with some soccer goals set up. A boat ramp (if you have a boat). A riverside location with a nice view of DC across the way. And, oh yeah, PLANES! Zooming over your head (around 100 feet) as they come in to land at DCA! What's not to love about that?? And it never gets old. Gravelly Point is a blast. read more

I used to hang out here stoned when I was in high school to watch the planes take off over the river. Now it's merely a pee stop for me as I bike the Mt. Vernon Trail. There's a portapotty right along the trail. This is an excellent spot for a picnic, sunbathing, or a place to wow your out of town relatives. It's amazing that amid the post 9/11 fearmongering this place is still accessible. read more

I love this place! It's great to come out on a nice day and relax. I bought my boyfriend and my dog here for a nice little picnic. We were able to see the planes take off and take some really cool pics. Definitely a must see if you live in the DMV read more

I love going here to watch planes land or take off. It's a great place to take out of town visitors for something different than the usual DC stuff. Also a great place to take kids to see something different and get a nice park experience if you need to tire them out for the day. Plus you can live dangerously knowing you're in a crash zone at the end of the runway! That's why it's a park and not a housing development! Enjoy! read more

One of the dc metros few spots that take you away to another place away from the routine lifestyle in our area. I've been a couple times, most memorable was with a group of friends, we rented bikes in old town and settled at rock creek. I think it's perfect for anyone who enjoys being in nature, the scenery is breathtaking and the vibrations you feel as the planes take off on top of you is definitely a rush. read more

It seems to me any long-time resident of the DC area should know about Gravelly Point, but strangely not everyone does. Other than being a nice little park on the Potomac (although you do need to put up with airplane noise), it's best known as an awesome place to hang out and watch planes take off from and land at National Airport, as the nearest runway is incredibly close. Super great for little kids who like planes, especially if you manage to be there at the same time as various plane enthusiasts who have binders of plane photos and who listen into the traffic controllers, thus know various details about each plane/flight. read more

I absolutely love this place! The views of the planes passing by is just incredible. If anyone is looking for a date idea, I highly suggest this place. One tip I have though, is to make sure you use the restroom before you go! The port-a-potty is DISGUSTING. And if you're not a big fan of loud noises, don't even bother going. The planes gets pretty loud. read more

Awesome place to watch planes take off and land! Not at all touristy, more of a local secret. Spent a good hour laying on the grass staring at the planes not more than 100 feet above me, it was such a cool experience that never really gets old. Also some great photo ops (plane in your palm, etc)! We had to leave because a storm was heading in, but definitely give this place a visit! read more

What a rush!!! Only thing is, you can definitely smell the jet fuel. :(

This is personally my favorite place in all of DC to just relax. I love watching the planes take off/land from DCA. It is roughly 2 miles away from the Crystal City entrance to the Mount Vernon Trail and has a nice soccer field next to it. read more

My favorite park, its a bit too crowded in the weekend but weekdays are perfect.

the one helpful thing i can add to the other reviews is that people grill (i saw about 5-6 families unabashedly having a grill session)..they're not supposed to, but i guess they take the risk of not being able to eat their meat if somebody feels like reinforcing that rule. we went for memorial day which turned out to be a scorcher, so maybe avoid 100 degree weather....i almost went ahead and put my toes in some very questionable water... we rented a car to come here but there's some guy in these reviews who took metro and had a 20 minute walk, so that's a possibility although it might be burdensome if you bring coolers and all of that sort of thing. you can also walk by the water--keep going (facing the water, that would be a left), over a bridge and you'll find a pretty neat sculpture and a huge weeping willow--super nice chill spot. just be careful about not walking in the --right? or left? lane...i was looking at a duck and and almost got run over...there are more bikes than pedestrians. the porta-pottys are naaaasty, but, hey, you already knew that. read more

Love this place. I have a three year old boy who thinks things that locomote are the highlight of life. I have a two year old girl who agrees with her big brother. Hours can be happily spent here. There is a big field to run around and play in, and all the visitors can be accomodated with plenty of room to spread out. There is a nice view of the capitol and Potomac, and evenings with airplanes landing (as opposed to taking off) are especially nice. Two problems -- 1. There is not a lot of parking. 2. There are not enough picnic benches. read more

Gravelly Point Park is about 700ft from Washington Reagan National Airport's runway's 15 and 19. There are several picnic benches and a running / bike trail around the park for use as well. Watching planes land from only a few hundred feet above is quite an experience. It is actually not as loud as I thought it would be, and I was surprised to see how different sized planes produced different sounds in the air as they passed overhead (this is often heard about 10 to 20 seconds after they have passed by - kind of a whisteling sound). We took a picnic and had a fun time. I can see that in the summer you would probably want to bring some type of mosquito repellant, as this is right on the water as well. This park also has a great view of some of the monuments in DC and is probably a great place for watching fireworks on 4th July. read more

I've chased many a plane here, a lot of tears as well. Great for hanging out on a picnic blanket and killing an afternoon.

Nice park to go to on a nice sunny day. The parking lot gets full easily so you might have to wait a little bit before a car leaves. It's a good place to bike, fish, picnic, or sleep. read more

Probably the best place that not any of the tourists check out when they're here. This place is pretty amazing. It's vast, and open, and parking is mostly always available. Out of all the places that I've seen, which is basically all DC, this place is in top 5. read more

This park is a nice hang out spot to run, workout or just to relax and enjoy the scenery of downtown D.C. and the planes landing.

I LOVE Gravelly Point Park. Located on the Mt Vernon Trail, this park is also next to Reagan Int'l Airport. They have some picnic benches and plenty of grass to sprawl out on and watch the planes either land or take off directly over your head, depending on the wind. I could sit there for hours. They also have a wide field where people can play football, baseball, frisbee, you name it! Located along the Potomac River as well, I have seen people fishing and boating. There are also great views of the different memorials and monuments. Great place for everyone read more

I love going there to exercise and read a book!! It's especially fun when the shadows of the plane go right through you.

Remember that scene from Wayne's World where they are under the plane arguing about Wayne ditching Garth on the show, and the plane flys over? You can do that here. 5-stars from that. read more

Absolutely 5 stars for all the reasons others have mentioned. For the plane buffs: it's much more spectacular when the planes *land* over Gravelly Point than when they take off, because then they are much much lower. They usually land over GPP if the wind is generally from the South, so check the weather forecasts if you can. Better still, if you have a smartphone, go to www.flightaware.com, and watch the activity over National (the four letter name is KDCA). Then you'll see which planes are about to land, where they come from, etc. Double the fun. read more

Great FREE family fun - watch planes land with a close up feel - Plus beautiful view with the boats on the lake and there's a bikepath also read more

I actually love Gravelly Point but the condition of the porta potties has been deplorable for years so I've giving it one star. Despite numerous complaints years ago the NPS has made no effort to fix. My weekend bike rides take me through the area throughout the year and the odor is hoorendous during the summer months. The doors are broken and litter is strewn about. You would think the popularity of this park would prompt NPS to clean it up! read more

Great spot to enjoy the planes taking off, but the restrooms are so dirty. They need to do something about it.

Wasn't as comfortable as I thought it'd be. For some reason I expected it to be set up like a nice park, but it's mostly just gravel and half grown grass. However watching the planes taking off were cool to see. read more

Park at Roosevelt Island and take the trail to National Airport. Bring your camera.

Tons of fun to watch the airplanes land like 100 ft over your head. Too bad the only way to get here is if you have a car or want to ride a bike a ways next to them. read more