SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS
Wonderful nature centers, lush parks, and picturesque open space are available throughout the metropolitan Washington DC region. Many of these relaxing and beautiful preserves and national parks also boast historical significance and living history attractions. Regardless of where you decide to settle in the metro area, you’ll find active groups dedicated to protecting the legacy of nature’s bounty.
National Parks & Forests
Anacosta Park
1900 Anacostia Drive SE
Washington, DC 202-426-6905
https://www.nps.gov/anac
C & O Canal Historical Park
Tri-State Potomac River Area
Hagerstown, MD 301-739-4200
https://www.nps.gov/choh
Fort Washington Park
13551 Fort Washington Road
Ft. Washington, MD 301-763-4602
https://www.nps.gov/fowa
Greenbelt Park
6565 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD 301-344-3948
https://www.nps.gov/gree
Great Falls Park
9200 Old Dominion Drive
McLean, VA 703-285-2966
https://www.nps.gov/grfa
Harpers Ferry Historic Park
US Route 340
Harper’s Ferry, WV 304-535-6029
https://www.nps.gov/hafe
Kenilworth Park
Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE
Washington, DC 202-426-6905
https://www.nps.gov/keaq
Manassas Battlefield Park
12521 Lee Highway
Manassas, VA 703-361-1339
https://www.nps.gov/mana
Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm
6411 Oxon Hill Road
Oxon Hill, MD 301-839-1176
https://www.nps.gov/oxhi
Piscataway Park
13551 Fort Washington Road
Ft. Washington, MD 301-763-4600
https://www.nps.gov/pisc
Prince William Forest Park
Joplin Road
Triangle, VA 703-221-7181
https://www.nps.gov/prwi
Shenandoah Park
3655 US Hwy 211 East
Luray, VA 540-999-3500
https://www.nps.gov/shen
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
1551 Trap Road
Vienna, VA 703-255-1800
https://www.nps.gov/wotr
State Parks & Forests
Caledon Natural Area
11617 Caledon Road
King George, VA 540-663-3861
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/index.shtml
Elk Neck State Park
4395 Turkey Point Road
North East, MD 410-287-5333
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Hart-Miller Island State Park
2813 Jerusalem Road
Kingsville, MD 410-592-2897
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Gunpowder Falls State Park
2813 Jerusalem Road
Kingsville, MD 410-592-2897
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Leesylvania State Park
16236 Neabsco Road
Woodbridge, VA 703-670-0372
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Mason Neck State Park
7301 High Point Road
Lorton, VA 703-339-2380
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Morgan Run Natural Environment Area
8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 410-461-5005
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
North Point State Park
2813 Jerusalem Road
Kingsville, MD 410-592-2897
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Patapsco Valley State Park
8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 410-461-5005
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Patuxent River State Park
11950 Clopper Road
Gaithersburg, MD 301-924-2127
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Pocomoke River State Forest/Park
3461 Worcester Highway
Snow Hill, MD 410-632-2566
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Rocks State Park
3318 Rocks Chrome Hill Road
Jarrettsville, MD 410-557-7994
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Seneca Creek State Park
Clopper Road off I-270
Gaithersburg, MD 301-924-2127
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Shenandoah River State Park
Daughter of Stars Drive
Bentonville, VA 540-622-6840
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Sky Meadows State Park
11012 Edmonds Lane
Delaplane, VA 540-592-3556
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area
5100 Deer Park Road
Owings Mills, MD 410-922-3044
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Susquehanna State Park
3318 Rocks Chrome Hill Road
Jarrettsville, MD 410-557-7994
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Westmoreland State Park
1650 State Park Road
Montross, VA 804-493-8821
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Regional Parks Contacts
District of Columbia Parks & Recreation
Information 202-673-7647
https://dpr.dc.gov/
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Information 877-620-8DNR
Maryland State Park & Forest Service
Information 800-830-3974
Reservations 888-432-2267
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission
Bi-County Office 301-454-1740
https://www.mncppc.org
National Capital Parks-Central
Information 202-485-9880
https://www.nps.gov/nacc
National Capital Parks-East
Information 202-690-5185
https://www.nps.gov/nace
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
Information 703-352-5900
https://www.novaparks.com
USDA National Forest Service
Information 202-205-8333
https://www.fs.fed.us
Virginia State Parks
Information 804-786-1712
Reservations 800-933-PARK
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks
West Virginia State Parks/Forests
Information 304-558-2764
Reservations 800-CALL-WVA
https://www.wvparks.com
Regional Gardens
The Bishops Garden
Washington National Cathedral
Massachusetts & Wisconsin Avenues NW
Washington, DC 202-537-6200
https://cathedral.org/
Secluded garden next to the cathedral features winding stone paths and boxwoods.
Brookside Gardens
Wheaton Regional Park
1800 Glenallan Avenue
Wheaton, MD 301-949-8230
https://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens
Fifty acres of gardens combine with two conservatories and cascading waterfalls surrounded by colorful seasonal floral displays.
Constitution Gardens
900 Ohio Drive SW
Washington, DC 202-426-6841
https://www.nps.gov/coga
This living legacy to the founding of the republic graces a 50-acre park that was once beneath the Potomac River.
Dumbarton Oaks Garden
31st and R Streets NW
Washington, DC 202-339-6410
https://www.doaks.org
Sixteen acres of formal English, French and Italian gardens and flowers create a dazzling display.
Hillwood Museum & Gardens
4155 Linnean Avenue NW
Washington, DC 202-686-5807
https://hillwoodmuseum.org/
Former estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post is especially renowned for its azaleas and rhododendrons.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court
Vienna, VA 703-255-3631
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens
Ponds, gardens and picturesque landscaping grace a regional park.
United States National Arboretum
3501 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 202-245-2726
https://www.usna.usda.gov/
Various displays, exhibits, attractions, and educational programs make this a fascinating center.
U.S. Botanical Garden & National Garden
245 First Street SW
Washington, DC 202-225-8333
https://www.usbg.gov
Enjoy a myriad of brilliant blooms that include a First Ladies water garden, a rose garden, and exceptional educational exhibits.
Regional Attractions
Algonkian Regional Park
4701 Fairway Drive
Sterling, VA 703-450-4655
https://www.novaparks.com
Activities and amenities include swimming, camping, sleeping cabins, 18-hole golf course, miniature golf, fishing and boat launch.
Audubon Naturalist Society
8940 Jones Mill Road
Chevy Chase, MD 301-652-9188
https://anshome.org
Imposing 1920s mansion with native gardens now serves as the headquarters of the Audubon Naturalist Society.
Bull Run Regional Park
7700 Bull Run Drive
Centreville, VA 703-631-0550
https://www.novaparks.com
Activities include camping, horseback riding, games, golfing, hiking, picnicking and trap shooting.
Cameron Run Regional Park
4001 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 703-960-0767
https://www.novaparks.com
The family can enjoy canoeing, swimming pools, water slide, wave machine and rides.
Dickerson Conservation & Black Hills Regional Park
20700 Martinsburg Road
Dickerson, MD 301-972-3476
https://www.montgomeryparks.org
Scenic 300-acre park borders the Potomac River and provides fisherman access to the warm-water fishing area.
East Potomac Park/Hains Point
Ohio Drive & 14th Street Bridge NW
Washington, DC 202-426-6841
https://www.nps.gov/nacc
Hains Point is home to The Awakening, a half-buried statue of a reclining figure that’s irresistible to kids.
Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area
376 Fair Hill Drive
Elkton, MD 410-398-1246
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/default.aspx
Bordered by Pennsylvania to the north, this 5,613-acre expanse is known for its pristine fields, woodlands and natural beauty.
Fletcher’s Boat House
4940 Canal Road NW
Washington, DC 202-337-9642
https://boatingindc.com/boathouses/fletchers-boathouse/
Old-style wooden rowboats are available at this historic and renowned fishing and recreation site.
McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area
Seneca Road
Poolesville, MD 410-356-9272
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/default.aspx
More than 2,000 acres of forests, streams, ponds, and fields provide relaxation and a sportsman’s paradise.
Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary
11704 Fenno Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 301-888-1410
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands
The sanctuary is planted with crops that attract waterfowl. Geese stack up over the fields and creek from October through March.
The National Colonial Farm
3400 Bryan Point Road
Accokeek, MD 301-283-2113
https://www.accokeekfoundation.org/
Mid-1700s farmstead includes extensive herb garden, nature trail and seasonal craft and skill demonstrations.
Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park
Edwards Ferry Road
Leesburg 703-737-7800
https://www.novaparks.com
Trails, hiking, nature sanctuary and Potomac River views are among the attractions.
Rock Creek Park & Parkway
3545 Williamsburg Lane NW
Washington, DC 202-895-6000
https://www.novaparks.com
Historic and cultural attractions, sports facilities, and natural beauty are waiting in one location.
Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park
21293 Smiths Switch Road
Ashburn 703-729-0596
https://www.novaparks.com
Often called the “skinniest park in Virginia,” the recreational trail runs 45 miles between Arlington and Purcellville in Loudoun County.
