Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park in Leesburg, VA!

This weekend the family and I checked out Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park in Leesburg, VA. This 67-acre Loudoun County park has three different hiking trails, red, orange and white trails that lead to the Potomac River. The ruins that surround the parking lot were built by Charles Paxton in 1869 when he purchased 200 acres in Loudoun County. The farmhouse and ice house are the only structures still standing with the farmhouse being private property.

We took the orange trail then we met up with the white trail which led us to the Potomac River. I recommend taking the white trail if you have little ones. The white trail is wider and a little easier hike. The white trail is located at the back of the parking lot and clearly marked with white rectangles can be seen on the trees along the path. The only area that you wouldn't be able to take the a stroller or wagon on the white is when you get to the Potomac. You have to scale some steep trail and some steps. Once you get down by the water the kids have plenty of area to walk around. The water table was pretty low when we were there so it might not be such a large area in the wetter months. There are no restrooms at the park and it's a take your trash with you site.

If you're into geocaching there are many caches hidden in the park. Like this one that the kids and I found on our walk.

This is great park to walk around as the trails aren't that long for the kiddos. There are several picnic benches near the parking lot and trail heads if you want to pack a lunch or snack. It's too bad that there are no restrooms or we would of have stayed longer. The park is off of Edwards Ferry Road and if you're coming from the West it's hard to see the park entrance. But if you're coming from the East you can see the park sign clearly.

Glencarlyn Park in Arlington, VA!

Last week we checked out the Glencarlyn Park in Arlington, VA. This park has two different entrances to the park and like Bluemont Park the W & OD and Four Mile Run Trail run right through the park. The playground can be approached from either entrance with just a short walk down the trail to the equipment.

The park has one piece of large play equipment and one small airplane for the little ones to play on. The equipment will have a ton of shade once the leaves are back on the trees. There is an indoor restroom and porta potties are available in April through October. A creek runs through the park and has several bridges that cross over and are great for the kids to see the fish. The park also has paved trails, nature trails, fishing, canine recreation area, and rental picnic shelters.

This is a great natural park and if your family is into geocaching this another nice site to find hidden caches. If you live in the Glencarlyn portion of Arlington County and like to get out into nature this would be a nice place to hike, jog or bike ride. 

Nokesville Community Park in Nokesville, VA!

Last week we were able to sneak in one last park before the rain started in Nokesville, VA. The Nokesville Community Park is a very large park in Prince William County.

The park has a lot to offer everyone including the sports community, equestrian community and anybody who enjoys being out in nature. Nokesville Community Park has soccer fields, baseball fields, volleyball courts, two equestrian rings, horseshoe pits, hiking trails, and picnic pavilion. A playground is also tucked away down a small trail from the parking lot. The playground is very conveniently located next to the indoor restrooms. But being that it was February the restrooms were winterized. There was one piece of play equipment which was in good condition along with toddler swings and a tire swing that was missing. The area is heavily wooded with lots of shade even without the trees having leaves. This park is also great for geo-caching and it has many caches throughout the park.

It's too bad I couldn't get anymore pictures of the park since it decided to start raining heavily. The kids and I are going to go back and check out the hiking trails throughout park. One note of advice I need to give is that you can't see the playground from the parking lot so just keep an eye out for the park sign with arrows.

This is a very nice natural park with lots to offer everyone!

Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington, VA!

Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington, VA straddles Fairfax and Arlington County.  The park is surrounded by great older single family homes that Arlington is known for and lots of local shopping. The park has a miniature golf course, Ocean Dunes Waterpark, bocce ball pit, batting cages, and playground. If you're into walking/hiking the park has lots of trails that take you through naturally wooded areas. If you are into geo-caching there are lots of hidden caches in the park.

On our visit we walked some of the trails and hit up the playground. Where the play equipment is placed you can tell it use to be an old fountain and the kids had a blast walking up the stairs between the two different play areas. The playground is in pretty good shape and in plenty of shade. The park does have restrooms but not down below near the equipment. If you're interested in the play equipment you can either park on Wilson Blvd or park above near the waterpark and walk down the trail.

This nice natural park is great to see amongst the busy area of Arlington and has lots to offer everyone!

White Trail in Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling, VA!

My family and I are always looking for nice nature trails that the kids can manuever through without difficulty. One that I frequent with friends and family is White Trail in Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling, VA!

The head of this Loudoun County trail is located near the entrance to Volcano Island and situated right next to RV/Boat Storage lot. The trail takes you through the woods and never gets you close to the river so you won't have to worry about the little ones falling in. It actually ends up on the other side of Volcano Island so if you park in the lot you won't trek far to get back to your car. The trail is maybe a half mile and very flat with resting benches in a couple areas. The trail is clearly visible but every once in awhile after a storm a downed tree will block the trail. The park authority is really good about clearing the larger trees off the trail. In the areas where the ground can get a little swampy they have placed bridges to ease in crossing over. No bikes are allowed on the trail only walkers and joggers. I would say you could take a wagon through here but I would recommend a backpack for the smallers kids due to the down trees that are sometimes across the path.

Great little trail for the kids to get out on and get close to nature we almost always see deer out in the woods. If you're a geo-cacher this trail has lots of hidden caches to be found!

Potomack Lakes Sportsplex in Sterling, VA!

We are very lucky to live close by the Potomack Lakes Sportsplex in Sterling, VA. This Loudoun County park is near the entrance to Algonkian Regional Park off of Cascades Parkway. Most people know the park as the "Algonkian Park" due to its proximity to Algonkian Regional Park. Communites near the park are Cascades, Countryside and Lowes Island with many single family homes, townhomes and condos.

The Potomack Lakes Sportsplex includes 4 lighted softball fields, 6 soccer fields and a large playground with picnic pavilion. Clean restrooms are available both by the softball fields and soccer fields. The playground is huge and has 4 large pieces of age appropriate equipment with two sets of swing sets. It is surrounded by large trees that allow the kids to step out of the sun and into the shade. Many benches and picnic tables are available to rest or have a picnic lunch.

If you are a hiker or bike rider you can find a path heading east away from the playground. A portion of this path is the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and also part of the Cascades Community pathways. Painted green squares on the trees let you know when you pick up the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. It's possible to hike about 12 miles all the way to Difficult Run in Great Falls, VA. Also if you like to geo-cache this trail is a great place to find many hidden caches.

The Potomack Lakes Sportsplex is great if you're into sports and if you enjoy a huge park with lots of equipment. This playground is one of the best in the area!

Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, VA!

Today my kids and I checked out Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, VA. This 493-acre park located in Fairfax County has a large lake, 4-mile shaded trail around the lake, playground, carousel, miniature golf course, shaded picnic areas, picnic pavillion, snack bar, restrooms, boat rentals and boat launch. On your way to the park off of Backlick Road you head through older single family homes and a small industrial area. You would never know that such a beautiful natural park is on the other side.

The playground is located at the furthest parking lot you can drive to tucked behind the ticket kiosk for the carousel and miniature golf course. The equipment was newer and completely in the shade. During the week the carousel opens at 12 p.m. and runs every 1/2 hour until the park closes. The park also had several picnic shelters and a pavilion to rent for get togethers.

After the playground we walked along the gravel trail around the lake. Almost of all the trail is completely in the shade and there are resting benches and trash cans all along the trail. After you enter the park you pass under a train trestle well off the ground and out of harms way. My oldest son loves trains and when we were there two trains came through and made his day. At the end of the lake there is a small dam that allows overflow to be relieved and sometimes this run off will cut the walking trail off near the bridge. If you're a fellow geo-cacher there are many caches hidden along the trails too.

The kids and I really liked this park. If you're into walking through natural areas around a lake you'll really like Lake Accotink Park!

Signal Hill Park in the City of Manassas Park, VA!

A few days ago we checked out Signal Hill Park in the City of Manassas Park located in Prince William County. This 110-acre park includes a water park, playground, multipurpose field, basketball courts, softball field, picnic pavilion, picnic area and grills, walking paths and a fishing pond. The Signal Bay Water Park includes a zero entry pool and lazy river.

The playground doesn't have any shade but on a nice day the equipment is decent and there is a swing set. There is two shaded picnic tables near the playground with restrooms. If the kids get tired of the playground you can walk along the trails to the pond to check out the ducks and geese.  If you're into geo-caching this park has plenty for you to track down.

This park has a lot to offer for sport enthusiasts and the kids!

James S. Long Park in Haymarket, VA!

Last week we headed out to James S. Long Park in Haymarket, VA. Located in Prince William County, the regional park is spread out over many acres and includes trails, baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, several different picnic pavilions, an equestrian ring, equestrian friendly trails and grass equestrian area. A small Gainesville Library is also located on the property. The park is located just down the road from the communities of Piedmont, Westmarket and Dominion Valley.

 There is a playground in the park that offers two different pieces of equipment. The playground is partially shaded by a large tree near the equipment. The playground sits higher up on a small hill where you can overlook all the ball fields. Restrooms are located nearby and you use either the porta potties or the restroom located in the library.

James S. Long Park is very diverse in all the different activites you can do here. If you enjoy geocaching or just like to get out an enjoy nature you can walk along the Carthapin Creek for about 3.5 miles. It's great for walking, jogging, biking and equestrian usage.

This a great park for the kids and a bonus for the local sports communities!

Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, VA!

This past week we checked out Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, VA. Lake Fairfax Park is a 476-acre park in Fairfax County nestled between single family homes in the Lake Fairfax Estates community.

 The park offers campgrounds, tons of trails and picnic areas under large shade trees. If you like to geo-cache there are many hidden caches in the park. The lake has paddle boats you can rent but no swimming and windsurfing is allowed on the lake. A large walkway leads you down to the small marina where you can rent the paddle boats or drop in a canoe or kayak. Fishing is permitted from the docks but not while in boat on the lake.

For the kids, The Water Mine waterpark has an admission fee and includes a lazy river and waterslides. A carousel is also available for the kids and free of charge. If the waterpark and carousel aren't enough there is a small playground for the kids.

The kids and I had a great time walking around the lake along the trails. The carousel was also a favorite along with the playground. We'll definitely be returning to camp or just walk the trails at Lake Fairfax Park!