A very nice walking trail that is very close to DC/Rosslyn. A bit of a walk to get there from the…read moreRosslyn Metro station, but definitely worth it. Wish that there were more walking routes with a better view of the water, but it was pleasant and easy to walk--not at all strenuous.

Thedore Roosevelt Island is filled with trails and it's a little dilapidated now. The fountains…read morearen't running and it's not in such good shape, which is a real shame. The trails are overgrown & there wasn't much to see or do here. The view of DC from the island was disappointing.

Ideal place to enjoy the park, see wildlife, bicycle, walk, and just immerse yourself in beautiful…read more nature. It was our first time here, and we enjoyed bicycling the area for the first time. I liked how you had a two way lane to bike and walk. There was a lot of renovations on the Mt Vernon Trail going through the park and marsh area. It does get crowded there yet there was a lot of parking. It is parallel to Belle Haven Park. There were no nearby restrooms. You do hear sounds of cars & traffic along the Mt. Vernon Trail. The trail gets narrow at some areas and can get uncomfortable by the renovation area - close to oncoming cars. Bicycling through the woods over bridges and stopping by areas to enjoy the views were highlights we enjoyed at Dyke Marsh. We decided to just bicycle for an hour, yet it was enough for both of us. Looking forward to bicycling through all 18 miles of the Mt. Vernon Trail.

Dyke Marsh is a gem. Hidden a few south of Old Town Alexandria, and situated between the Mt Vernon…read moretrail and Potomac, Dyke Marsh is a wetland preserve that George Washington noted centuries ago. This wooded area with a trail that runs a bit more than a mile along the river, has owl and eagle nests and amazing guess of small islands in the Potomac. On any day, there are families, couples, people with dogs. The Marsh attracts lots of birders with their binoculars and photographers with seriously long zoom lenses. This is a place to amble for 45 minutes and connect with the natural world. It's managed by the US Park Service. If you're interested, join the Friend of Dyke Marsh to help preserve this treasure.

Amazing experience. 5/5 Stars. $10 parking…read more I had a great time at Leesylvania State Park. They have paved roads in plenty of parking spaces. I experienced some of the most majestic birds. I seen my first great blue heron. Osprey and Turkey Vultures are also here and can be seen throughout the park. The trails were well-maintained and easy to navigate, offering beautiful views of the Potomac River. The fishing pier was a peaceful spot to relax and take in the scenery. I highly recommend this park for birdwatchers, nature lovers, and anyone looking to escape into a serene, well-kept natural space. I will definitely be coming back!

I used to like it more. While happy it's more popular than it used to be, am on the flip side…read moremissing the relaxing solitude. Would hike the trails here and see, either no one or very few people. That's no longer the case, and kudos to other folks being active. This is still a nice place to go. I'm not sure about swimming in the Potomac River. Fishing is decent from the walk out pier. Again I won't eat the catfish out of here, as I still have some concerns about pollution. They are of good size. Get chicken livers and catch lots of them. The parking lot is huge. If you have a boat they have a ramp.

New little adventure for Desmond and I. I was on Yelp looking for a new dog park or trail for my…read moredog and I to explore not too far from home. Dora Kelley nature park was such a great find! There are several entrances. We entered off the Sanger Ave entrance next to the Nature Center. There's lots of informational signs along the trail, explaining all of the different things to be on the lookout for, including plants, flowers, birds, and other species you may encounter. There's a paved and unpaved trail that runs along a creek. I usually keep an AirPod in and listen to music or audiobook, but there were so many earthly sounds that made me want to walk in silence and take in everything nature was offering.

This is a lush, peaceful neighbourhood park. We parked on N Chambliss and headed south, and…read moreimmediately past the playground, a tree-lined paved trail opened up. The trails are mostly wide enough for 3 adults, and mostly flat with gentle slopes. The trail ran along a wide gorge creek, and we came across several families enjoying the outdoors. It's easy enough to navigate, and connects multiple nearby neighbourhoods. I appreciate this green space being maintained and freely available to the community.

A favorite spot for a nice walk…read more If you don't like dogs, be prepared that some people will often bring their dogs unleashed to the park (although not allowed). The green boats program (which offers hour long kayaking sessions where you also pick up trash from Kingman lake,via water) is one of my favorite activities on the program, in addition to enjoying all of the lovely trails. It's a great (less traffic filled) short cut to get from Benning road to Oklahoma avenue, if you are on foot or bike. The trail can be bumpy and rocky in places so I don't recommend for road bikes or scooters and absolutely no motorized vehicles.

A little known fact is that Washington, DC has several islands throughout the city where you can…read moreescape from the hustle & bustle of city life and commune with nature right within the city limits. I used to visit the Kingman and Heritage Islands Park quite often when I lived in the DMV. They tend to have a lot less foot traffic due to their NE DC environs.

I recently visited this park and it was honestly a pretty disappointing experience. The grass was…read moreovergrown and looked like it hadn't been maintained in a while. Several trash cans were overflowing, and there was litter scattered around the walking paths. The playground equipment also seemed worn down and not very clean. On top of that, the bathrooms were in poor condition and didn't seem to be cleaned regularly. It made the whole park feel neglected. Parks are supposed to be relaxing places to spend time outside, but this one just felt poorly taken care of. I hope the city puts more effort into maintaining it because it could be a really nice spot if it were cleaner and better managed.

I really do like the town of Occoquan. There have been some changes. It's been yuppiefied…read moresignificantly, and fishing isn't allowed on either side of the river in town. That's not a huge loss, but for those who love angling, it's disappointing. Such is life as River Mill Park has some nice river views. My guess is when it warms up, maybe they'll have some outdoor concerts or family events here. Park in the public lots. This isn't a long walk. There's the cheesy "Love" sign you can get a picture with your significant other if you have one. I do like that there was a menorah and Christmas tree. Today this plus the holidays wreaths on the bridge were done with class. The new rocking bench is solid. Do I wish it was wooden? Yep but it's probably for safety reasons. The walkways had some ice on them. Definitely watch your step. I think this is a good place to chill from the busy land of northern Virginia. If you're in the area it's worth stopping by here.

I first learnt of this place through a coworker, someone who is from the area, went to school at…read moreUniversity of Maryland, and someone that has a little more knowledge of the history of the area as well. Also, I had not clue how extremely close I have been to this area on so many occasion and never discovered this until recently. Well hidden gem. If I hadn't done any type of research on this place, I would have assumed that this had always been here in the state that it is. When you see 'Natural Area' in the title of a place, you usually think that it was always wilderness. But not the case here. How Lake Artemesia is currently is due to the construction of the College Park and Greenbelt Metro stations. Locally sourcing materials from this area aiding in the construction. Once the metro stations were completed the lake as it is now was constructed. Fun fact: there are no naturally occurring lakes in Maryland, they are all manmade. But well before the Metro made its way through the area, the lake was created after stone was quarried in the area in the 1800s. Obviously a bit smaller than what you see today, but it was still there. Another fun fact, the smaller lake was originally used to raise goldfish. The history here also should be know that where the lake is was part of the Lakeland community. An African American community before being absorbed by College Park. This is the one thing I wish they focused on with the park. There are informative signs around the lake, touching on the wildlife you might stumble upon. I wish they would put some in with the history of the land. (I was also a little sad that I didn't get to see an otter) also, if there were some on the history, I just didn't see them or they were some that need some TLC)) This is a great park overall. It can be accessed by so many directions. I came in from the Berwyn Heights area, got a little dizzy on the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Green Line. The paths are ample for walking/bicycling. Sometimes, not everyone observes the fact that there are other people here and may take up the whole path, even though it is set up as a road essentially. Tons of seating throughout if you want to take a break. Great view of the ever changing skyline of College Park. I am sure this is better to visit when it is warmer, not on a cold, blustery winter day.

My thankful Thursday goes to Lake Artemisia. This place is beautiful. When they say some of the…read morebest things in life are free! I agree. The loop is roughly 2.4 miles, it's paved and clean; I've never seen litter or trash lying around. The lake was also home to a historical African American community called Lakeland established in 1890. Walking the park you'll see a few plaques and markers with brief history. Many years ago the citizens of this segregated society, developed their own institutions and cultural traditions, including the area's only high school for African Americans, built in 1928. There is a Lakeland Community Heritage Project that was created to preserve its history and the stories of its people through photographic archives and now the Lakeland College Park Community Center. Thankful that this is a peaceful place to run, walk, ride my bike, or simply sit and reflect. Greenery unique to the area is the mimosa trees that bloom in the summer and the giant reed grass surrounding the lake. Parks & Planning along with other organizations also hosts activities like birdwatching and community walks . In addition to this, there is a small playground and ergonomic gym. Lovely in every season and rich in American history, Lake Artemisia is the beating heart to lots of people in the Greenbelt community. Let's love, honor, and cherish Her for generations to come! #ThankfulThursdays

So cute! A darling little beach with good nature trails just an hour from DC. Make sure that you…read morereserve your day pass in advance as you can't get in without one on busy weekends. It's free right now but the gate attendant said eventually it will be $6. They are currently building bathrooms and a rinse-off station, but they have porta potties for now. Nicely paved roads to get there, a Safeway en route (coming from DC), and an easy walk to the beach from the parking lot. Entering the park via the gatehouse, the beach is to the right. Follow the trail and signs past the small playground on the right and past the pond on the left. I recommend going to the right once you get to the beach itself as it was less crowded the day I was there. A couple rules important to know before you go. You can drive up closer to the beach to unload, but no parking there unless you have a handicapped sticker/plate. Also, no dogs on the beach unless it's a service dog. There is a ranger walking around so don't try it as you'll be disappointed (as I saw two families have to leave). And no climbing on the break wall rocks. Seems fun, so why not? The ranger said that very aggressive (but non-poisonous) water snakes live there, eek! Also, since I went in August, beware of the jellyfish--they were everywhere. But I also saw huge schools of tiny fish and lots of birds (seagulls, pelican, etc). The beach does not have any natural shade. I had read on the website no umbrellas or tents but I saw tons of families with them and they didn't get in trouble. Bring your snacks and drinks and beach comforts as there are no concessions, just the beach! And the water itself was clear to start but then got more cloudy and had seaweed as the day went on. It's nice and shallow, so I think we will come back when the jellyfish aren't so numerous.

45-minutes from Washington, D.C. Beverly Triton Nature Park is one of the closest beaches to the…read morecity. On top of that, it's a protected park with trails and views. Here's why you should visit: 1) Parking: There's a small lot that fills up fast during the summer. My daughter and I went on an August Friday morning and had to wait a few minutes for someone to leave. There is a lot across the street, but it also fills up too. Parking is free. 2) Trails: There are several short hikes perfect for toddlers. My four-year-old daughter was able to hike the Triton Trail on her own without a stroller or asking to be carried. 3) Beach: The fastest way to the beach is down the paved trail by the main parking lot. It takes 1-2 minutes to walk to the long, but narrow public beach. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. There's no shade at all. 4) Outhouses: There are two outhouses at the main parking lot AND another one at the beach entrance. Unless you want to change in a dirty outhouse, put on your swimsuit before you arrive.

Piscataway Park is steeped in history and offers a unique connection to the past. The trails…read morethemselves are a bit limited (and don't forget insect repellent!), but the river view of Mount Vernon Estate across the Potomac was clear. The park has a working farm feel -- the livestock were out during my visit -- and the butterfly garden was a delightful surprise. The river trails don't offer much unless you're fishing, so this isn't really a hiking destination or photography in September. What makes it worthwhile is the history and atmosphere. It's a peaceful place to reflect, take in the landscape, and enjoy a slower pace just outside the bustle of DC.

On the Potomac River in Maryland, Piscataway Park showcases natural landscapes, cultural history,…read moreand views of the river and Mount Vernon. Established in 1961, the park preserves the historic view of George Washington's Mount Vernon and the surrounding area. Piscataway Park houses the National Colonial Farm, a recreation of a small 18th-century Maryland tobacco farm. Operated by the Accokeek Foundation, the farm includes historic buildings, heirloom crops, and livestock breeds typical of the colonial period. We visited Piscataway Park towards the end of the day. We walked the path through the farm and saw the Hog Island Sheep. This is a heritage breed the park seeks to preserve....there are less than 2000 of them left worldwide. The park is fairly small and there wasn't a ranger on site when we were there. The passport stamp is in the gift shop. The interpretive signs have seen better days, but still it was a lovely, albeit brief, visit.

Awesome trails that are well marked and we'll maintained. Don't get confused with Annapolis Rock…read morebeing down near Annapolis, MD and don't get confused over the Washington Monument that's out here too - we're in Myersville haha. Seriously my current favorite stretch of trails in the state of Maryland, you have the option of going to either vista(we did both when we were out there and added a few miles on another trail) and both views are awesome. Be prepared for some good elevation climb, I clocked our highest gain of being 1800 feet - felt hard core. Just doing either one of the trails will be a good trek and not overwhelming for any novice hiker. Doing both might be a bit much for those not well versed in walking for really long periods of time. Dog friendly, but please leash your creatures. All it takes is one friendly unleashed dog to run up to a not friendly leashed dog and then everyone's trail experience is ruined. We finished just shy of 15 miles for our day, and felt great! Annapolis Rock is the steeper climb albeit shorter at around 2.2 miles out then 2.2 miles back(4.4 mile hike). Washington Monument is an easier trail though it's a bit longer and around 3.5 miles out then 3.5 back. Highly recommend, super easy to find with the parking strip right off the road!

I'm so glad to finally be able to write a review on this place. It was so hard to find for me. But…read moreit was totally worth the trouble. It was an amazing hike. The right amount of hard work and great view The actual address for the trail head to Annapolis Rock from Maryland is 11142-11150 Baltimore National Pike Myersville MD 21773