Amazing hiking trails! Trails are pretty accessible for all levels…read more The trail maps need updating as there are some new trails.

It's closed for months to repair a sewage siphon in spring, which is ridiculous. There's a sewage…read morepipe that empties into the waterfall area, but people don't seem to care and they swim, even though you can smell the sewage. The whole place and even the forest is littered with hard lemonade and beer bottles, babies diapers, dog poop and all kinds of food wrappers.

I'm visiting from California, and I have to say this is the most epic park I've ever seen! I've…read morebeen to plenty of parks in California with newer playground equipment, kids' slides, climbing towers, and even electronic interactive features. But what makes this park truly special is how thoughtfully it's designed and how incredibly spacious it is. There's so much to explore, and the entire park feels unique and well worth the visit. My daughter absolutely loved it! I've taken her to so many playgrounds, but I've never seen her have this much fun. It's amazing to see a park that offers so many activities while giving kids plenty of room to play and explore. This park is an absolute MUST-VISIT! I give it a 9.5 out of 10!

Amazing path tot children and families. There were so many things for the kids to play with…read more Perfect place for toddlers and kids. My kids are 6 and we stayed for at least 2 hours before they were ready to go. If you live near by def bring bikes because they have a kid bike path and race path The carousel costs about $5 per ride and probably not worth it, but it's in the middle of the park so kids immediately want to ride.

Beautiful park with a lot of different areas that are like their own little landscapes. A great…read moreplace to take photos and even saw a proposal (she said yes!) while I was there. Fun to walk around and enjoy nature. Good place for families or kids or even a casual date. There are plenty of benches and areas with shade. Parking is abundant and the fee to enter is pretty cheap!

Meadowlark is the best spot to view cherry blossoms in the DMV, hands down. Visit on a weekday…read moreduring peak bloom if you can, but even on a busy day you can get better views of the blossoms than at the Tidal Basin. Don't sleep on this hidden gem during cherry blossom season! The rest of the botanical garden is well worth a visit, with a greenhouse, polished garden favorites, and wild woodland scenery. There are also children's gardens and a small playground, as well as many benches with different views to enjoy. One of my favorite spots is the fairy garden right outside the entrance, with all kinds of small-scale flowers. Admittedly, I've only been to Meadowlark during two seasons and have yet to witness fall and winter. I'm eager to go for the holiday lights, which I've heard great things about.

This climbing spot is more than that. The Billy Goat Trail goes through it passing stunning rock…read moreformations that bleed into the Potomac River. There's a large parking lot with restrooms, drinking fountains, and clear signage. It's also close to many other things to do in the area like Lockhouse 10, Glen Echo, and more.

I love the Canal Tow Path. I have run along it a couple dozen times. I usually enter in Georgetown…read moreor at Fletcher's Cove. But I also start at Carderock for a change or if that is how the race is set up. I don't do much in the park itself. But I see it is a lovely, underused facility (which I don't want to ruin). There is, as people have mentioned, a military facility nearby. I wonder as I drive around, if they are conducting surveillance or if you'd get in trouble for doing something such as taking photographs. I've never had an issue though, if you were wondering. I have gotten lost, however, because it's not quite clear (and GPS is not precise) how you get to where you want to go once you take the exit. I recommend Carderock highly for a hike. I believe it also is a nice place to hang out, even if you don't get to the trail (but why would you go here and not at least take a gander at the water).

This is a small neighborhood park. To its credit there are trees in a high density urban area. This…read morealone can bring a welcome reprieve from the madness of civilization. It's close to a number of apartment and condo communities. Parking is a cinch, and the playground is basic, but good for little ones. There's nothing worth driving miles to get here for. Yet if in the area, comfortable grounds to read a book. The basketball court is extremely well maintained. Have gotten several games of HORSE in. Tyson's is quite a cluster, but this provides a reprieve. If in the area it's basic but can offer some recreational opportunities.

Small but hidden park right near Tysons Corner, it is a well maintained green space on the…read moreoutskirts of Tysons. It has a small playground and a basketball court as well as a volleyball court. It also has a clean running trail or a path to walk your dog. They have dog bag spots so you don't leave the dog poop around. For PeachTree residents, this park seems to be great for families during the summer. There's no parking nearby so you'll have to make do with what there is. It is just okay.

Ummmm, okay Arlington County -- I mean you already kind of ruled the roost in terms of boss…read moreplaygrounds, and then you had to go and outdo even yourself?! Mosaic Park in Arlington (not to be confused with Mosaic District in Merrifield) is located near Ballston and is a totally unique, amazing, super fun spot for kids and adults like!! The entire playground is made out of that awesome squishy rubber stuff, but it's not just used as flooring, they've built mountains and molehills for kids to zoom around on - making it an even more unique space than it already is! There's a large rock wall, rope climber, and soccer field as well to appease older kids, but the play structures with slides and stuff are actually pretty perfect for the younger kiddos, which as the mama of a 1 and 3.5 year old, I appreciate immensely. There is a small dedicated parking strip as well as street parking all around the large playground area, and benches lining the edges. I can see how the lack of shade might possibly be an issue in the hotter months, but for a spot to get outside to when it's chilly, it's pretty perfect. Just bundle up your babies and let 'em go! I hear there will be even more stuff added to this already very impressive playground, and I can't wait to see what else they come up with. Mosaic park is definitely being added to our regular playground rotation!!

A great urban park with great potential. Good greening initiative of the county. However there's…read moretoo much concrete and too little greenery. Instead of concrete or tarmac there should be more grasses, lawns, and shade. Plant some trees please especially around the children's playground. It's so hot! No one felt like coming here when it's so hot. Very little shade as well in other parts of this small park.

I love this sweet little tranquil spot. It's small, but a nice little pocket to walk through.read more

This park is nothing significant to Arlington County parks. It is a small stretch of wooded area…read morethat causes North George Mason Drive to dead end the resumes on the other end of it. Cars cannot drive through here. It is located in the Yorktown neighborhood. It is true that it has a small drainage creek that runs through beside a paved path and two bridges to cross within the confines of the small park. It just goes straight, no real turn off except to go into other local neighborhoods that surrounded it. It's a cute walk, but doesn't have anything kid friendly in it. Just a walk through.

The McLean Central Park playground was recently renovated and we visited one of the first opening…read moreweekends. The slide/swings look very new and there are different levels of playground for various age groups. The playground is small compared to the nearby Clemyjontri park but the "brand new" facility is attractive to kids. There are trails nearby as well which we may come back for another time. Plenty of parking nearby.

This is my son's favorite park! The equipment is new and in good condition. There is a variety of…read moreequipment for different ages and interests. There are gazebos if you want some shade. It's never too crowded and we've always had a good experience with the other families and kids that play here. There is easy parking in a parking lot with a short walk to the park. It is connected to the McLean Central Library, which is convenient.

Begrudgingly, I am rating Lake Fairfax with 4 stars. Let me preface by saying I am not an…read more"outdoor-sy" type of gal. Spas and sparkling rosé...more my speed, but I am always up for different experiences. Having said that...I've experienced it, and umm...with mosquito bites still itching, this was cool...not sure if I would say, "yes" again. While he set up the tents, I went to grab a margarita. Upon my return, I was impressed with the setup. Who knew camping could be "chic"? lol. After sending my daughter pics, she said it was, "glamping," not "camping." Lol Honestly, I enjoyed. Just hated the bugs. I love to read. If you do too, bring a good book. The camping ground is spacious. You're assigned a lot where you set up your tent(s). Seems like he had the entire gamut -- blow up couch, blow up bed, portable grill, speakers for music, bug repellent, food, and libations ;-) You will hear everything that is nature at night. I swear I heard a fox howling/barking. All-in-all, it was a cool experience...five days later, still itching from those bites. Oh! There's a water park too...arrive early to get in because they do have a capacity limit.

Wayyyyy back in the day, my dad bought a RV, and the one place that I can explicitly remember us…read moregoing, was Lake Fairfax Park. I also remember having a great time on the lake paddle boating and swimming in the big "L" shaped pool. Fast forward decades later, I have taken a liking to camping. I still consider myself a novice, and over the last 3yrs, I have accumulated some cool stuff. I have an annual camping trip with a large group next month, but I wanted to do a small intimate trip to one of my favorite childhood places. I must say, Lake Fairfax has one big change from when I was a child. It now has a HUGE waterpark that has giganic water slides as soon as you enter. I was a little disappointed to hear from the check-in Park attendant, who had the personality of a disinterested teenager, that the L shaped pool I referenced was no longer there. My picture of laying poolside or chillin in the pool were shattered, because with waterparks, comes tons and tons of young kids.. and honestly, I would just rather not..LOL! Once we made it to our assigned camping lot, I was super pleased at how close we were to the extremely clean rest rooms that were equipped with showers. The camping site was noticeably quiet, almost library quiet, so that suprised me a little. I didn't want to disrupt the flow, so I kept my speaker at a low level. :) All in all, I had a memorable experience at Lake Fairfax Park and I can definitely see myself coming back sometime next Spring/Summer!!