This is a decent place. Fairfax County Park Authority, please fix maps along the trail. Also more…read moreparking spots on Pohick Road would help. Weekends can be busy here. My suggestion is weekdays. The lake and adjacent trail, are surrounded by a number of neighborhoods. Expect to see a good amount of folks with their dogs walking. As for fishing, there are some bluegill, sunfish, and bass. Yet I know of far better spots for this wonderful activity. Wildlife viewing is quite good, as have seen deer, foxes, raccoons, and my beloved serpents. The best view is from the flood plain. Here you're looking down at the lake. Most of the trail is well maintained, but one section pointlessly ends into the lake, while the other is part of this system.

This lake has limited public access. If you can get into the park it is nice. The local H.O.A…read more "Nazis" have made it difficult to access. The only place to park is a small gravel lot off Hooes Rd. It is not a very secure spot. Traffic coming both ways on Hooes Rd. can be treacherous.

This is a small neighborhood lake. At 12 acres, and 50 acres of land, it's not going to blow your…read moremind in any way. Was pleasantly surprised today, as someone added wood planks to walk over the muddy trails. A few folks had a canoe out. This is a backup spot for me to try my fishing equipment, or to catch an occasional bluegill or bass. By no means is it a hub of activity. The wildlife I've seen are the fish, ducks, deer, foxes, and an occasional serpent friend. As a fan of snakes, please be mindful all help humanity, and are defensive and not aggressive. The weeds by the lake would have you believe bass central, but it's a mirage in many ways. On a plus note it's a quiet place to relax. It was good to go back here today, and I hope to return soon.

Located in the Derwood/Rockville area of Moco!…read more My alumni association recently did a hike here but I missed it so I decided to explore this trail on my own. I visited on an early Sunday morning. I parked off Avery Road and there were a few cars already there. The change of scenery was nice. I enjoyed the scenic and peaceful views!

This is a lovely park, with plenty of hiking options and the feel of being in deep woods while…read moreactually located in the middle of town (Rockville). The lake itself is gorgeous, and always so picturesque.... I have hiked the Lakeside Trail a few times, which is about three miles and mostly wooded, with two creek crossings (one easy, the other more difficult, requiring stepping on stones that could be slippery or even, at times, underwater). The first time we hiked the trail we did get lost as we skipped the difficult creek crossing and ended up going straight, and almost right back out of park...so bring water to drink and wear (or bring) a pair of shoes that can handle the creek water (it's not safe to swim--so I'm assuming, or wade around--in). UPDATE: Part of the Lakeside Trail has construction going on around it (near the easier stream crossing) and last time we encountered it we decided to turn around rather than trying to get around the mess...but there are other parts of the trail to explore, including hiking along the path that' intersects with Rock Creek Trail (or you can go around the other end of the Lakeside Trail, close to the Avery Park entrance...) Usually when we're here we don't do the entire trail, anyway, but turn around at various points, depending upon how long we want to walk. Although the park does get busy on weekends (and it can be difficult to get a parking spot at the Avery Park lot) the further along the trails you go the less people you'll encounter. Weekdays are also pretty peaceful. I look forward to visiting the Meadowside Nature Center when it reopens--this is located at the other park entrance at Muncaster Mill Road.

Great for nature walks whenever I need to relax my thoughts I take a nice 5 mile stroll around Lake…read moreArtemesia to clear my mind!

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

When I lived in Maryland, we came to this park often just to walk. We no longer live in Maryland…read morebut when I come back to visit, I still come to this park to walk and just enjoy the scenic walk and be outdoors. There is a house on the backside of the path that decorates for Halloween so it makes it a lot of fun for the kids on the path.

My daughter (10) and I came to this park for the first time. There was a good amount of parking. It…read morewas a beautifully summer day in the 90s and the great thing about this park is that there is lots of shade. There was a large picnic space as you enter the park area along with an area with play structures to the right for the little ones. The lake is the centerpiece of the park and the trail goes around it. There were a good number of benches and sitting areas where you could sit and enjoy the view. There were a number of people biking on the trail. The trail was a loop and it was enough distance to get some exercise but not too long that you will get worn out. Everything was green and there were lots of beautiful views. I definitely can see myself coming back here with the entire family.

great lake for paddling or fishing…read more lots of smaller largemouth bass, but a developing population of larger ones. no gas motors are allowed. concrete boat ramp with a small floating dock and attached canoe/kayak launch. even when the parking area is crowded, I've never seen it full. & the lake looks empty even when the parking is full. limited shore fishing. some picnic tables & such. there are restrooms on the hill above the boat ramp. only flaws are a population of wasps at the dock that repeated complaints to the County have not resolved, and a tendency for all-about-me folks to park along the ramp (which is NOT a parking area, except for the small handicap area) or leave their vehicles there for extended periods.

Lake Mooney is technically a reservoir but it definitely has that lake feel and is perfect for…read morefishing or kayaking. Gas motor boats are not allowed; only electric motors are permitted on the lake. There's a boat ramp that is easy to get to. A few benches also line the shore. This is a great place for a picnic. I personally enjoy visiting late in the afternoon, as you can watch the sun set.

This is a pretty body of water. As a park it's quite pleasant. The sad part is development is…read moreencroaching the area big time. What used to be a quiet place, isn't what it was. Yet this is a common theme in northern Virginia. Park employees are excellent though. I do like my times over here. Some of my best fishing trips used to be here. Whether it's overfishing or VGIF isn't stocking as much, I'm not sure what's going on. There are some walleye. Last few years I've caught some crappie, catfish, and bluegill. The bass caught have been small. Used to find the area by the water containment to be top notch. Now I use the walk our dock that's got a roof on it. This is a great structure to relax by the water, yet the fishing quality has dropped substantially.

Be careful if you go out to the wooded area. Lots of ticks this year. Make sure you are really…read morechecking we found 8 in one day