Do you need to find a happy place or do you need to unwind from electronics?! Look no further. One…read moreof the nicest trails in MOCO ... its a very easy path. Not that many steep hills. Depending on time of year, you can rent boat..or canoe. You can see different types of birds here if your a bird watcher. You can plan a nice picnic here too. There are a few different entrances. The most convenient one for me is off Needwood Rd or you can enter from Avery Rd.

First, if you need an address to find this park, you can use either 15700 Needwood Lake Circle,…read moreRockville, MD or 15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Derwood, MD. This park has two entrances - one on Avery Road and the other on Needwood Road. The one on Avery Road is closer to Go Ape Adventures which is located within the park (at a cost). As you enter this part of the park, and go down a hill, the road will eventually end at a stop sign. It is here you will see a sign that says, "Rock Creek Regional Park, Lake Needwood". You then have to decide if you want to go right or go left. If you turn right, you will come across the Golf Course, Picnic Area, and Archery. If you turn left, you will come across the Boat Shop, Picnic Areas, and Hiker/Biker Trails. Going Right at the "Rock Creek Regional Park, Lake Needwood" sign If you turn right, you will go over a few speed bumps. After you pass this area (and you will see Go Ape to your right), you will also see part of the lake to your left and a little crossing bridge (not for cars). On this side, I have seen people have picnics, go fishing, and hiking as well. If you continue on the road, you will come across a playground to your left and a parking lot - I guess there are more trails back there (I have not gone in the area beyond the playground). To the right of that lot is a place for archery. If you continue on this road, you will exit the park onto Needwood Road. Going Left at the "Rock Creek Regional Park, Lake Needwood" sign If you turn left, you will see a parking lot on your immediate right. Next to this lot, is a volleyball court - I have seen folks play volleyball here. If you continue through a walking path in the trees, you will come across some covered picnic tables and more trails taking you closer to the lake. As you get back in your vehicle, past this parking lot and follow the road, it will steer you to the right and you go down towards the lake. In this area of the road, I have seen people park on the road whenever the park gets crowded (there are marked spaces). As you continue down, you will see a much smaller parking area which is next to the boat house. You can walk through the boat house to another part of the lake, but as far as renting boats, that is only available during the summer months. Most times, this lot is filled, but not to worry, because if you continue traveling just a few feet more, you will come across an even bigger parking lot. It is in this bigger lot, you will come across a map layout of the whole park - more of Lake Needwood. There are also a few porta-potties. Within the area is a huge grassy field that is perfect to just lay a blanket and chill, but you may have to complete with geese in the area. There are 2 trails on this side by the map - if you go to the left, the trail is on a very flat surface - be careful when walking as you will end up crossing a few roads like Southlawn Lane and Avery Road, to name a few. By that same map, if you take the trail to the right, you will go up a hill, cross over the lake and continue on even more trails in this park. I like coming to Lake Needwood. I have done walks here on a few of the different trails and have even gone off the beaten path. Had lunch on a picnic table or two and even did pedal boating, however you won't ever find me in a kayak. Overall, it is nice to come here to just chill and enjoy nature. To gather more info on your own, check out these links: Lake Needwood Trails: https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/rock-creek-regional-park/rock-creek-trails/lake-needwood-trails Lake Needwood Boats: https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/lake-needwood-boats

This is one of my favorite zen places. Or when I feel artsy, I bring my sketch pad and just…read moreunwind... very scenic views especially at sunrise or sundown. I prefer sundown... There's a steep incline when you get here but its worth it... Its a good work out... Its also good for avid bird watchers!!

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!

One of my favorite parks in the DMV....there are several wonderful walking paths running through…read more(and around) this former golf course, and even a small trail connecting to another huge park across Avery Road. You can take as short or as long a stroll as you're in the mood for here...it's always beautiful and often very quiet. There's also a dog park a few small ponds and benches, and plenty of wildlife, greenery and open space, This a lovely and mysterious park, not to be missed if you enjoy nature and being outside....

RedGate Park is what every old golf course dreams of. The cart paths are now perfect walking…read moretrails, the pond is pure serenity, and the dog park is basically a canine networking event. Plenty of benches for reflection, and the autumn foliage is picturesque. Quiet, spacious, and downright peaceful--an easy yes.

I love this park and all the arts and crafts opportunities (and social dances!) they offer here! My…read morekids took pottery lessons here for years and had a lot of fun...the classes are in the very unique and interesting yurts close to the Arcade building (where the main offices are). I'd also highly recommend the super fun swing dances in the Spanish Ballroom ....the live music is great and the dances are usually well attended, meaning lots of dance partners! I've gone to the contra, swing, and waltz dances (there are free lessons before each), these have all been worthwhile and entertaining. Less well known but equally highly recommended are the folk dance lessons...these are usually given in the space behind the ballroom or in the bumper car pavilion...I really enjoyed these dances and they are quite different from the swing and contra dances. You feel as if you are dancing as a group, even more so than with the contra dances.... I feel it's a great way to bring everyone together, almost like singing in a choir but with dancing... My kids and I have also gone to puppet shows at the park and ridden on the antique carousel (which has limited hours or is often under repair)...there is a little cafe located in a building where I think they also used to have Irish step dance lessons. I believe the cafe is run by the great local bakery, Pralines (which has great sandwiches). The Washington Conservatory is also located at the park and offers music lessons. There is a lot packed into this little park, and the surrounding area also has a lot to offer (it is near one of the small parking lots that has access to C&O canal)

interesting place hidden and nestled in what felt like a secret pathway and maybe even a secret…read moregarden in the forest when I went here with my ex-husband Leo Mejia in 2013! Ill never forget how charming it was but how it hauntingly left something to be desired

Great park with plenty of activities happening throughout the week! Lots of trails heading in north…read moredirections along the river- we walked about one mile from the visitors center and reached the Potomac dam which has great views. The trails were well taken care of. I arrived around 9am and there was plenty of parking and not too many other people on the trail

Hands-down, one of my favorite parks to go to in the Great Falls area. There's plenty of parking. I…read morelove to come here with my Doggo and hike, the trail all the way to the view of the falls.

BP had seen the park before, but I hadn't and I was so glad that I had the chance to explore it!…read more The park is clean, spacious, green, and beautiful. The playground has an impressive amount of equipment and there are plenty of benches and relax on. There are even hills I would want to sled off of! Oh, and so many amazing spots for photo ops. There is a shelter, but the picnic tables are in an uncovered area. It would still be a great place to have a smaller party!

Very nice clean neighborhood park. 4 basketball hoops, a long flat field where you can kick a…read moresoccer ball around. No goals though. A shelter with a couple picnic tables and a grill. Kids playground and cute bridges that go over the stream running through the park.

This is the Anacostia river just outside the city line. It is a substantial built-up place with…read moreboating and picnic facilities, paved paths, and a footprint across the river. I think the river gets better as you go downstream, but those looking for a quiet walk or to use some of the amble facilities here will be well served.

We stumbled upon this wonderful PG county park while biking on the Anacostia River Trail. 100% -…read moreAdd it to your to do list: Join a short cruise down the Anacostia River to see the wildlife such as turtles, eagles, herons, and egrets; Rent kayaks from the friendly and professional Park Manager Quinn Mathewson; and interact with his experienced staff such as Brittany. Well done.

I have so many fond memories of this place.. My mini mees' and my hubs would often hike and take…read morepics and then we would go home to paint a scenic mural on canvas. When you reach the overlook be careful there are snake pits! My hubs thinks its funny when he sees me scream in a panic and I thought all of Maryland heard my screams! I suggest wearing pants and bring repellent especially for ticks.. wear socks and shoes with good traction. No Crocs, No Yeezys, No Birkinstocks, No AF1s. You will have to climb some rocks or trees so you dont wanna slip n slide . If youe coming here for a picnic get your chicken and grub from the Dickerson market!! Best time to go is mid October when the leaves change colors!

I visited this place for the first time. Beautiful view. Now, as a non-hiker this was a little…read morechallenging BUT, very rewarding! There are a lot of rocks to walk and shift over, a few fallen trees you have to sorta climb over. (Not too hard) Those steps however, MAN! Them things will take you out! Lol. There were plenty of areas to stop for breaks though so do it your own pace. Everyone there was very friendly and few shared very helpful tips! Overall a great experience, and as crazy as it sounds, I do it again! Something to think about though...I wore shorts, but I would suggest wearing pants. Someone I was with kept getting these green spiky things stuck to them and I have no idea what that was but it's a no. Also, if you have some hiking shoes or boots wear those. Trying to walk on rocks and walk downhill you might slide a little bit. You want to have some sort of stability. Last they have these, for a lack of better word, hiking sticks that a lot of other hikers had that seem to be very helpful from what one of them told me I would suggest getting a pair of those as well. I hear they have them at Costco.