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.

Attended a family reunion at indoor facility. The indoor space was very nice. Holding many people…read more Bathrooms right at entrance. Sadly there are no playground areas in the park. We couldn't find picnic tables either. So for us with little ones in tow, being outdoors wasn't a good experience. It's such a beautiful park hopefully a playground area is in the works.

This is a great hidden park It's very quiet and clean and…read moreeveryone is very friendly. They have a peer that you can go fishing on as well as crabbing and they also have a kid friendly outdoor pool which is separate from where the pier is located. It's very inexpensive only three dollars to enter and everyone is nice. I've never had any problems and the kids are super friendly Cash Only (it's not posted on the web site) and be ready to have a lot of fun!!

Our retired women's group walks each week at Jonas Green Park. The paths are paved & well…read moremaintained. The loop is short but we go around several times. Parking and bathrooms are available and you can't beat the views.

We wanted to go to Sandy Point Beach Park one Saturday afternoon, but the lot was full. I asked one…read moreof the cops directing traffic for another recommendation and he said "Google Jonas Green." Which I did, and 15 minutes later we were at Jonas Green, and there were lots of spots available. Jonas Green is a small park, with a small and very calm beach -- perfect for our toddler. Like most of the waterfront around Annapolis, it has beautiful views, plus restrooms, grills and picnic tables, and a nice variety of people: couples, families, kids. Very family friendly and quiet. We loved it, and will definitely go back.

Didn't know this actually had a name. Who knew! Skip the banter, the answer is YES! VISIT! Everyone…read moredoes! It's a staple landmark in DC! Story Time! I came to the Georgetown Waterfront in my Season of YES, which apparently includes saying yes to waterfront views, questionable boat dynamics, and accidental raccoon contour. My friend wanted to show me all things water for a memorable Holiday weekend, so Georgetown Waterfront was the obvious meet‑up, because this girl was NOT driving to Potomac, MD. Boats, docks... I was getting the full tour of our brown waters of the DMV. And honestly, this area is perfect: lively, scenic, and full of characters to watch. The park area has no tie‑ups, so if you want to have a picnic off your boat, the park grassy area is a short walk away. I grew up in DC and if you did too, you already know the rule: You do NOT get in the Potomac. We were raised on stories about what's in that water; dead bodies, secrets, evidence, probably a missing chapter of DC history. And no, it's not saltwater. It's Potomac, MD water: a very specific shade of brown that politely tells you to mind your business. Fast forward 25 years... Potomac still looks brown, still looks suspicious, still looks like it has a backstory it refuses to share. But here I am, floating on top of it like I'm not fully aware of its reputation. Now let's talk about the people‑watching, because THAT is the real attraction when you come to the Georgetown Waterfront. You've got the oldies but goodies, seasoned gentlemen with boats, confidence, and clearly the budget to sponsor a whole afternoon. And then you've got the young women they're "hosting," who look like they were born after the iPhone. The dynamic is... noticeable. The math is mathing. If I feel out of place with someone who is 16 years older, I can only imagine how these college girls felt. But let me give it to these girls, they laughed at the jokes and listened to stories from these men's "good ole college days"... 45 years ago. It made for GREAT entertainment. I found myself staring like, "Should I ask their ages or just assume this is a mentorship program?" I chose silence. Once a woman can be your daughter... I don't know. It's a little off‑putting. But here I am, on a boat, sharing space with someone's grandpa and someone's young college daughter. Seasoned men taking younger women out is a thing, and here I am watching the circle of life. Very interesting. I realize in this moment older men just want companionship and they will treat women to dinner and fun for the exchange. Eeeek. At one point I caught my reflection and realized the "charcoal contour" on my face. I looked like I'd done a charcoal face mask and forgot to rinse, nope, just hair dye from a hopeful silver fox. Not sure why men do this to stop the aging. Grey is in! Stop putting in dye on your beards gentlemen! It's not cool. Suddenly the college girls' side‑eyes made sense. They were trying to figure out if I was okay or if I'd just escaped from a fight. Nope ladies, it was beard paint all over my face calling me out, like, "Let's give you more attention and Racoon Eyes." Overall, the Georgetown Waterfront is beautiful, entertaining, and full of life. Great views, great energy, and always something to look at, even when you're trying not to. Best place to come, relax, picnic, tie up (if you have a boat), and enjoy the restaurants all along the water. Tip: Use the DC Wharf or National Harbor for gassing up! Georgetown lets you tie up without a fee, chaos in the best way.

Georgetown Waterfront Park is a beautiful park along the Potomac River in the heart of Georgetown…read more It stretches along the banks of the Potomac River on K Street from 31st Street NW to the Key Bridge. It is adjacent to the restaurant district, Washington Harbor, and Lowes movie theater. There are beautiful gardens, sculptures, fountains, greenspace, and pavilions throughout. The park has long walkways for cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians. Over the years, street parking has reduced as the city has prioritized bike lanes, however, there is ample paid underground parking. Street parking is easier to come by during early morning hours and late evenings. On weekends, driving and parking a long K Street is difficult due to pedestrian traffic, so be careful. The views across the river are beautiful as you can see the Rosslyn, VA skyline, Washington D.C. Mall, The Watergate Hotel, and Key Bridge. During warm months, boaters, kayakers, and competitive sports teams use the Potomac River as their recreational space. CONS: Parking - sometimes it can feel like a disappointment not being able to park on the street. The garages don't have the best ingress and egress and seem inconveniently situated. For such a large park, the limited street parking is a concern. At one point the street parking was ample, but the reconfiguration and reduction of street parking to construct bike lanes hasn't seemed like the best use of street space considering cyclists also ride on the mixed-used paths. Rats - at night, the rats run rampant. Trashcans often overflow onto the ground, making an ideal environment for rats to thrive. Narrow sidewalks - sidewalks along K Street are unbelievably narrow. Leading up to Washington Harbor, the mixed-use pathways are incredibly narrow. It wouldn't be an issue if the paths were for walking only, but they also accommodate cyclist, runners, and skaters. Not to mention groups, strollers, and people often casually strolling. Overall, a great space for strolling and leisure.

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.

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

A beautiful, summer-like day in the spring brought me outside to Gravelly Point. The park was…read morepacked, but I was still able to find a nice spot far enough away to feel alone. Seeing the planes come around the corner and get closer and closer until they're directly over you is such a surreal experience. Every 2-3 minutes, another plane is heading towards you. I enjoyed seeing the variety of airlines as well.

If you're looking for a unique activity on a nice day, I highly recommend Gravelly Point. It has…read moreplenty of green space to lay down a blanket, set up a picnic, and watch airplanes fly right above you! Perfect for a date night, solo adventure, family time, or group fun! There are also plenty of walking/biking paths, some picnic tables, and portapotties. It's also really fun to people watch. There is free parking but be warned that the lot gets a little hectic/crowded in the evenings.

Fletcher's Cove is just a few miles from downtown, yet it feels miles further away with its…read morepeaceful water and forested banks. Even with my paddleboard exploding when inflating, it was a wonderful trip. The park entrance is fee-free, and there is plenty of parking just a few feet away from kayak launches, a small dock with rental kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards. Cramming myself and my friend into our single remaining inflatable kayak worked out great. The Potomac has a lazy flow at the fastest, and there is a large area with little movement that makes lazy drifting easy and perfect for kids and those looking for more relaxation than paddling. Absolutely great spot to go after work or with the family on weekends!

I have run many races, from 5k parkruns to half marathons, that start at Fletcher's Boathouse or go…read morepast. The Canal Tow Path is terrific: flat, smooth, straight, soft, and scenic. I am writing for three reasons. I have revised this review, because my description of the parking was only partly accurate. That is due to my stupidity, looking primarily in the summer -- I was able to perceive more clearly when the leaves were off the trees, in the winter. I just came back from the venue moments ago. So I can be much more clear. First, there are two parking lots. There is a tiny one right there. I would not count on it. The one time, I flew on a redeye flight just as the pandemic was ending, to run a half marathon. I am not in the shape needed to do that anymore. I arrived maybe 6am. That meant I could find a space and take a quick nap. But fifty feet down the dirt road is a tunnel. It is so cramped you might not believe your car will fit. But that is what it is for. A sedan will do fine; an oversize SUV, maybe not. It's also two way with room for only one car width. This passage leads across the canal. There is a much bigger parking lot. I have had good luck. I would bet it fills up on busy days later in the morning, but in the 7am range it's half empty. Usually, I Uber to this destination or I park in the neighborhood, and walk the remaining half mile. Second, the turn into the parking lot is tight. I cannot describe it. It'd be easier to draw a diagram. It's more than two roads meeting; the angles also are oblique. People don't understand how the intersection works. That is aggravating. I try not to be judgmental. Probably there will be an accident sometime, and that will lead to reform. My wife refuses to drive down here. The narrowness of the sidewalk renders it dangerous for pedestrians. Please, be careful. Third, they have restrooms. They are kept clean. This is a huge boon. I am always on the lookout for public restrooms of high quality. I share for the benefit of all.

This section of waterfront is in the process of developing. I'm glad that land is available for…read morepedestrian use, but this is still very much a work in process. After bypassing a fenced in yard that separates this park from Downtown Alexandria, I was greeted by a nice little path but a bunch of collapsing boardwalk structures with signs to stay away. Hopefully in its final form the park will have more to offer, but at this point it's just an area to walk through.

I've been to Oronoco Bay Park on two occasions: 1. the International Food Festival (don't quote me…read moreon that name) and 2. Alexandria Half marathon post-race shenanighans. I love that fact that this park sits on the shore of the Potomac River. Everyone says that if you visit Alexandria that you have to take a quick stroll around this park. While the park is nice, it feels more like a huge lawn, rather than an actual park. However, there is nothing wrong with that because it's a perfect place to have large events such as food festivals. Also, the views of the Potomac River are pretty nice. I will say that during my last visit, I noticed quite a bit of trash/debris that washed up on shore. But, this wasn't something too off putting.

My wife had been trying to arrange a fly fishing trip for us over the last month or so; she…read moresearched high and low and finally settled on Shenandoah Valley Fly Fishing. I say settled, but that definitely isn't the case with this local fly fishing operation. Galen, the owner/operator was extremely nice to work with and rearranged his schedule several times to accommodate for poor weather/fishing conditions to ensure we had a great time learning how to fly fish. Once we met him near the river, we learned how to cast a fly rod on dry land. He has a lot of patience and was very supportive, even when we were doing poorly. After an hour of practice we hit the water on his white water rafting rig. We stopped at several places along the river to fish, and he would critique and provide tips along the way so that we caught as many fish as possible. While on the river he provided all of the fly fishing gear, beverages and even catered to our dietary needs. We will definitely be back to fish with Shenandoah Valley Fly Fishing in the near future - it was a low stress and high excitement experience for us. If you are ever looking for lessons or a guided tour, I would use Galen over any of his competitors. If you choose to go with Shenandoah Valley Fly Fishing, make sure you mention that one movie that takes place in Montana that has a lot of fly fishing in it, I think it's called "A River Runs Through It", or something like that. Galen looks a lot like Brad Pitt, if that helps. Great job, Galen, you have made customers for life!

My little brother (14) and I (26) went for a float trip with SVFF this past weekend and had a…read moreblast! Galen was great. He took some extra time to give us casting tips before we started our trip (my brother was new to fly fishing), and was an excellent instructor throughout the day. Our trip was such a success! Even when the weather went to hell, Galen had a plan and made sure we still had a great time. I would highly recommend SVFF to anyone looking for a float trip!