Spring is just around the corner, and it is the perfect time to get outdoors to connect with nature after the long winter! One of our goals at NVCT is to not only preserve Northern Virginia’s natural landscapes and water for the ecological health of the area but also to make the wonders of the outdoors accessible to all. Here’s our list of the top 10 publicly accessible nature preserves and parks we helped protect over the years that you should visit this spring!
Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve
Crow’s Nest Natural Preserve is one of the most diverse landscapes in our region, and we have had the honor of helping to expand it significantly.. In Stafford County, less than an hour from the Beltway, Crow’s Nest Preserve lies on a peninsula adjacent to the Potomac River with varied topography and is home to bald eagles, great blue herons, and king rails. The preserve features moderate and easy trails through mature hardwood forests and wetlands. Trails like the Potomac Creek Overlook Trail are great for hiking, biking, and birding! The preserve is open to the public March 15 – October 31st from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and November 1st – March 14th from 8:00 am – 5:30 pm. All trials are open from Thursday through Sunday
For more information:
Leopold's Preserve
Leopold’s Preserve is our flagship preserve located in Broad Run near Haymarket. It spans 380 acres and allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the different landscapes of the park via 7 miles of trail. A vast wetland is visible from the observation deck, and educational signage throughout the preserve provides insight into what wildlife to look for! An upland swamp that waterfowl and amphibians frequent in the spring and summer is visible off the main Leopold’s loop trail. Smaller trails branch off Leopold’s loop, providing views of the meadow and more of the wetland, perfect for spotting birds! Leopold’s is often hailed as a popular birding spot, with over 200 species being recorded in the area; a few recent sightings include red-tailed hawks, hooded mergansers, and pileated woodpeckers. Leopold’s Preserve requires no entrance fee and is open daily from dawn to dusk.
For more information:
Pohick Bay Regional Park
Looking for a nature escape that has activities for the whole family? Visit Pohick Bay Regional Park! This park is in Lorton, VA, and features a small water park, a mini golf course, playgrounds, and a golf course. This park is also perfect for the typical outdoorsman, offering campsites, cabins, equestrian trails, hiking trails, and even an Occoquan water trail. Pohick Bay has 1,000 acres of Bay access and provides kayak, paddleboard, and canoe rentals for those who want to get on the water. You can also bring your boat and use the public boat ramp to dive right in. The Gatehouse opens March 1st, and many park amenities are available weekends and holidays until May 23rd; afterwards, the park is fully operational every day all summer!
For more information:
Doves Landing Park
Doves Landing is a 308-acre Prince William County Park made up of forests with wonderful views of the Occoquan River. Explicitly protected to ensure that nature always comes first in future park plans, Doves Landing is perfect for anyone looking for a more peaceful and undisturbed trip into nature. 3 miles of trail run through the park, and a parking lot at the trailhead provides easy access. Along with trails is 1 mile of shoreline access to the Occoquan River. A majority of the property is forested with gently sloping landscapes, making it an accessible hiking destination for those looking for peace and quiet. Doves Landing is officially open to the public daily, and entry is free!
For more information:
James S. Long Regional Park
Are you looking to get more active outside but still enjoy the beauty of nearby nature? Try James S. Long Park in Haymarket! Amenities on park grounds include basketball courts, a covered playground, sports fields, and an equestrian ring! When you’re ready to cool down from all the activity, you can walk through undisturbed forested areas that NVCT forever protects. 4 miles of hiking trail cut through this forest. A stream that flows into Catharpin Creek invigorates the land it touches with life and provides a serene addition to the park. Finally, covered picnic areas and pavilions are the perfect rest stop after a fun day. Park entry is free, and the park is open daily.
For more information:
Locust Shade Park
Another park that offers a wide array of recreational opportunities is Locust Shade Park in Triangle. The park has tennis courts, miniature golf, a driving range, hiking trails, a sand volleyball court, and more! For fishermen, the eight-acre pond on site is stocked with trout through April and channel catfish in the spring. Of the 400-acre park, NVCT protects 173 acres of undisturbed forest with a stream running through it. The John Palmer trail runs through this portion of the park, an easy 2-mile trek through stands of American beech, tulip poplar, and hickory trees. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and amenities like the golf course open after April 3rd.
For more information:
Piney Run
Located in Kingstowne near Springfield, this preserve has 20 acres of forest, wetland, and a restored meadow. Piney Run is the perfect small nature preserve for those who like to take things slow and admire the natural environment. The stream for which the preserve is named flows into Dogue Creek, which feeds back into the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. A short trail loops through the property, and recreational equipment is scattered throughout. This public trail is located inside the Crest of Alexandria residential community. The easement is accessible from the nearby Kingstowne Park. Please be respectful of surrounding neighborhoods if you plan to visit!
Address: 6191 Shertzer Drive, Alexandira, Va 22135
Howser's Branch
This property in Leesburg is named after the stream flowing through the property that branches off into different paths, hence the name “Howser’s Branch”. The preserve is almost 50 acres of wetland, perfect for kids who like to splash around in streams. The Bull Run Mountains are visible from the preserve. Notable bird species on the property include the indigo bunting, yellow-billed cuckoo, and scarlet tanager. After visiting the NVCT protected section, explore the entire 156 acres of rolling countryside that is Gilbert’s Regional Park. Visitors can hike throughout and learn about the history of the Civil War on the land. The park and NVCT preserve are open daily, and entry is free!
For more information: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/gilberts-corner-regional-park
Clifton Park
Located in Clifton, Va, this park encircles a significant portion of Popes Head Creek, an important tributary of the Potomac River. The creek is visible from the Clifton Creek Nature Trail on the property. The land comprises bottomland forest, and trees will be in full green foliage come spring! This small 8 acre preserve is great for a quick dog walk or to let the kids get a run in! It is accessible from Newman Road and Main Street, Clifton.
Address: Newman Rd, Clifton, 20124
Ruckstuhl Local Park
The final preserve on our list is the Ruckstuhl Park in Fall Church, VA, soon to be listed as an official Fairfax County Park . Donated by Dr. Lily Ruckstuhl to NVCT in 2008, the property includes 7 acres of forest, open space, and a brand new playground for kids. Significant work has been done to convert this preserve into a more accessible park for the public and restore many of the natural assets, such as several original home lots. We’re happy to share that as of February 2025, the preserve is officially open to the public! This is a perfect nearby nature escape for those looking to get back down to earth.
Address: 7545 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, 22043
Honorable Mention: The Terborgh Terrace Garden
While the Terborgh Terrace Garden isn’t necessarily a public park, it receives honorable mention because it is a community resource in North Arlington that facilitates the connection between visitors and nature! This property has stayed true to its original use as a terrace garden, and roots from future crops only reach about 12 inches, causing minimal ecological disturbance. Once the garden is fully up and running, it will be used as a community garden, and produce will be donated to nearby food banks as part of the Plot against Hunger program. For now, the garden is a peaceful stop before continuing down the hill to a new access point for the Donaldson Run trail. Come by for a quick visit to learn about what we have planned for the future of the Terborgh Terrace Garden, a fitting tribute to former resident Anne Terborgh who donated part of the property to NVCT and the rest to Arlington County!
For more information: https://www.nvct.org/ttg
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