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!