Wooded stream valleys, teaching gardens and a nearby island escape.
Sources checked 2026-10-19. Check the official links for current hours and availability.
Mount Vernon Trail at Gravelly Point with a departing aircraft, June 2009. Bobco85 / Wikimedia Commons · CC0 · License. Resized for web display; source license retained. Display crops may vary.
Choose a place to explore.
These selected destinations have source-verified coordinates. Pins identify places, not trail routes, parking permission or accessibility. Other entries retain their official access and address links.
Arlington's off-street trail directory brings together paved multi-use routes and additional hiking options. Choose a manageable segment with a clear start and finish instead of assuming every named trail has the same surface or difficulty.
Before you go
The directory also distinguishes county trails from routes maintained by NOVA Parks and the National Park Service, helping you find the right place for closure information.
Sources checked 2026-10-19.
02
Arlington
Visit Long Branch's stream valley
Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, VA
Go for
Stream-valley trails, ponds, native gardens and live-animal exhibits in Glencarlyn Park, with connections to the W&OD.
Before you go
The nature center is at 625 South Carlin Springs Road and closes Mondays. Parking is limited; consult the program listing for reservations and the actual meeting point.
Sources checked 2026-10-19.
03
Arlington
Potomac Overlook Regional Park
Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N Marcey Road, Arlington VA
Go for
NOVA Parks’ Potomac Overlook at 2845 North Marcey Road combines woodland trails, a nature center and educational gardens. Download the park map before choosing a short loop or longer connection.
Before you go
The nature-center hours differ from simply being outdoors, and organized programs need their own planning. Volunteer options include animal care and invasive-plant work; the operator specifically notes that its demonstration gardens already have designated volunteer partners.
Sources checked 2026-10-19.
04
Arlington
Bon Air Park’s gardens and play spaces
Bon Air Park, 850 N Lexington St, Arlington VA
Go for
Bon Air Park at 850 North Lexington Street offers a memorial rose garden, other teaching gardens, playgrounds and picnic areas. It makes a useful choice when a group wants both a gentle stroll and space for children to play.
Before you go
Flower displays depend on season; a garden visit is not a promise of peak bloom. Use the county’s reservation links for a shelter or formal gathering rather than assuming public space can be exclusively occupied.
Sources checked 2026-10-19.
05
Arlington
Theodore Roosevelt Island: a nearby federal park
Theodore Roosevelt Island parking, Arlington VA
Go for
Theodore Roosevelt Island is in Washington, D.C., but its land access is from the Virginia side of the Potomac. It is a nearby National Park Service outing rather than an Arlington County park, with wooded trails and the Roosevelt memorial.
Before you go
Use its access instructions when combining the island with a Rosslyn walk, and check the trail surface before choosing footwear or mobility equipment. The memorial and the island’s natural habitats reward more than a quick photo stop.
Sources checked 2026-10-22.
06
Arlington
Long Bridge Park
Long Bridge Park, 475 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington VA
Go for
A nearly three-quarter-mile Esplanade for aircraft, train and bird watching, plus play areas, rain gardens and fitness stations.
Before you go
The outdoor park is at 475 Long Bridge Drive. Fields give priority to permit holders; indoor aquatics and fitness have separate admission. Check weekday parking meters before leaving the car.
Sources checked 2026-10-19.
07
Arlington
Gulf Branch Nature Center
Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington VA
Go for
Natural and cultural exhibits, live animals, a pollinator garden, vernal pond and restored nineteenth-century log cabin.
Before you go
The nature center remains open during the Gulf Branch Stream Resilience Project, but some trails are closed. Stay outside fenced areas and check current trail and access notices before visiting.
Sources checked 2026-10-22.
08
Arlington
Gravelly Point
Gravelly Point, Arlington VA
Go for
Gravelly Point is a National Park Service destination beside the Potomac and Reagan National Airport, known for watching aircraft and connecting with the Mount Vernon Trail. Use the NPS directions to plan vehicle access; nearby parkway roads do not work like a neighborhood street grid.
Before you go
Keep the trail clear for passing users and follow airport-area rules. A riverside stop can be brief, while a longer trail outing needs its own return plan.
Sources checked 2026-10-19.
09
Arlington
Lubber Run Park
Lubber Run Park, 200 N Columbus St, Arlington VA
Go for
Paved and natural-surface paths through a wooded stream valley, an amphitheater, and play areas near the community center.
Before you go
Use the county map for the path and facilities you need. Ordinary park access ends at dusk; performance and court schedules differ. The outdoor park and community center are separate destinations.
