School’s ending and the nice weather is here to stay (knock on wood). In the spirit of summer, jump into some fun adventures with this guide of the best outdoor activities in the DMV area! In no particular order:
- Fletcher’s Cove
Located off of Canal Road, Fletcher’s Cove is located right on the edge of DC connected to the Potomac, across from Arlington. This is the perfect place for nice walks by the river and streams, and an awesome place to rent a kayak to go out on the water!
2. C&O canal or Capital Crescent Trail
The C&O canal and Capital Crescent Trails are right next to each other, starting by the Georgetown waterfront and diverging to end at different spots. Both are great for a nice bike ride or a long walk! For a shorter trail, you can take the Capital Crescent which stretches to Bethesda row. If you’re up for a real challenge, you can explore the historical C&O canal trail that ends all the way in Cumberland, Maryland. Along the way you’ll be able to stop at some amazing sites with great history and views of the water!
3. Dumbarton Oaks
Located in Georgetown, the Dumbarton Oaks gardens are a must see! For those who want a little less walking but still great places to take photos, this is the place for you. The house is beautiful and the estate is full of flowers and plants of every form. You can always find something new to explore!
4. Great Falls Park
Great Falls Park is located in Great Falls, Virginia right off the Potomac River. If you’re looking for a moderate hike with rapids, waterfalls and gorgeous overlooks, then look no further! The hike takes around two hours to complete so feel free to make a day out of it by checking out the many many trails located in the area.
5. Burnt Mills East Special Park
Located near Woodmoor, Maryland right off Colesville Road, Burnt Mills is a beautiful trail located on… you guessed it, a river! Look out for a man-made waterfall and lots of dogs. If you hike far enough you may even find the perfect place to take a nice dip in the water!
6. Lake Anna
Located by Spotsylvania, Virginia, Lake Anna is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. Lake Anna is a man-made lake around two to three hours away from DC. The lake is gorgeous and there are tons of awesome campgrounds and marinas. If you’re looking for some real fun, check out the Sandbar where there’s water volleyball, live music, and more!
7. Chincoteague/Assateague Island
This is one of my personal favorites, giving us DC natives a chance to catch some waves! There are many sites where you can camp out on the beach and see the famous wild ponies that live on the Island. If the ponies are what you love, then check the island out on July 24, where the 99th annual pony swim will commence. The weeklong festival has games, food, music and more! The following Wednesday the ponies will swim across the Assateague Channel and come ashore on the east side of Chincoteague Island. And the sunsets are gorgeous, so make sure to stick around to see one!
8. Calvert Cliffs State Park
Located near Lexington Park, Calvert Cliffs State Park is right on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Known for its awesome cliffs, fishing, and trails, you are sure to be entertained. As you hike down to go hangout on the sandy cliffside beach, look out for some fossils, you never know what you may find!
9. Devil’s Bathtub
This one is definitely a drive as it is right at the border of Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina. However, it is worth it. Soaking in the gorgeous natural turquoise pools is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you’ll remember forever. Not to mention it’s dog-friendly with awesome hiking trails and waterfalls!
10. Stiles Falls
Located past Roanoke, Virginia, Stiles Falls is a must-see waterfall. There’s an amazing hike with waterfalls that will be a one-of-a-kind photo backdrop. The woods and greenery are absolutely gorgeous but the waterfalls take the cake for why you must visit and see it for yourself!
So there you have it, my list of top 10 outdoor activities to do in the DMV. Whether you want something within walking distance or something that’s more of a drive, you’ll find it here. Take advantage of your time out of school and go make some memories at some unforgettable locations!
So there you have it, my list of top 10 outdoor activities to do in the DMV. Whether you want something within walking distance or something that’s more of a drive, you’ll find it here. Take advantage of your time out of school and go make some memories at some unforgettable locations!
