Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban life and spend some time in nature? Interested in local history? You can satisfy both of those desires at national parks. From historic battlefields to the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland and Virginia are home to over 30 national park sites, each with their own unique history and environment.
We’ve compiled the area’s top five national park travel destinations. Whether you want to hike a mountain or explore the area’s history, you’re sure to have an interesting and memorable experience at one of these parks.
Great Falls Park
If you’re looking for beautiful waterfalls, Great Falls Park is the place to be. While swimming and wading in the water is illegal, there are still plenty of options for waterfront adventuring on the Potomac river, such as whitewater rafting and kayaking. If you’d prefer to not get your feet wet, though, Great Falls Park is full of hiking trails with picturesque waterfall views, as well as trails for biking and horseback riding. And with over 800 acres of forest, it’s a great place for nature enthusiasts to spot woodland animals and rare plants.
If you want to hit multiple parks at once, Great Falls Park is a short distance away from the George Washington Memorial Parkway. It’s well-known as a great place for a leisurely car ride, especially during the fall, when the leaves change color. The parkway links several other national park sites as well, including Theodore Roosevelt Island, the Arlington House and the Clara Barton National Historic Site.
nps.gov/grfa
Glen Echo Park
While it’s not as naturalistic as other national parks, Glen Echo Park has been a popular day-tripping destination for generations. It was one of the DMV’s most popular amusement parks for over 50 years, and while most of its rides are now long gone, the park still acts as an entertainment hub with attractions aimed at audiences young and old.
Families may be interested in booking an appointment at the Glen Echo Park Aquarium, where guests can have a private tour of Chesapeake Bay wildlife, or riding the Dentzel Carousel, which is the amusement park’s last remaining and operational ride. The park’s historic Spanish Ballroom and Bumper Car Pavilion host community dances every week, with events focusing on a diverse selection of music genres and dance styles.
Glen Echo Park also has a notable focus on art, with three on-site art galleries showcasing works from local artists, and art classes with mediums ranging from drawing to puppetry to silversmithing.
nps.gov/glec
Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farms
This humble farm has a surprisingly deep history. It’s a member of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom for the many enslaved people who escaped the plantation that used to occupy the property, and the area later became the home of several free Black families who owned land at a time when it was rare for them to do so. Many historical displays and exhibits at Oxon Cove Park pay tribute to that history.
Oxon Hill Farms is a popular destination for field trips, giving children an opportunity to learn about farm animals and the agriculture industry. Many animals live on the farm, including cows, goats, horses and critically endangered Ossabaw Island Hogs. There is also a short hiking trail on the property for nature walks.
nps.gov/oxhi
Piscataway Park
Maintained by the community-run Accokeek Foundation, Piscataway Park is a 200-acre park teeming with wildlife and filled with plenty of things to do. It’s the site of National Colonial Farm, an organic farm maintained using 18th-century farming techniques that helps preserve historic plant varieties, many of which are not commonly grown anymore.
Plants are not the only kind of wildlife that Piscataway Park helps preserve — its resident livestock are several critically endangered species, including American Milking Devon cattle, Hog Island sheep and Java chickens. These species are native to the United States, but are endangered because other livestock varieties eclipsed them in popularity and they largely fell out of favor with farmers.
There are seven nature trails running through the park, all of which are fairly accessible and highlight the park’s natural flora and fauna. There’s also the Fairy Trail, where park guests can search for tiny, handmade fairy houses and participate in the Fairies Favorite Trees Scavenger Hunt. Piscataway Creek runs through the park, with the Fort Washington Marina being an ideal spot for fishing and boat rentals.
accokeek.org
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park was the first national park dedicated in Virginia and is one of the largest in the state. It’s a hiker’s paradise, with over 500 miles of hiking trails, from easy strolls to challenging journeys. One of the most well-known trails is Old Rag Circuit, a difficult experience that can take up to eight hours to traverse and requires a ticket to take part in. But it’s one of the park’s most popular trails, as those who take the journey are rewarded with gorgeous views from the summit of Old Rag Mountain.
The park’s other claim to fame is for drivers rather than hikers. Skyline Drive is a scenic road that stretches 105 miles long, with 69 scenic overlooks where people can stop and enjoy the view. It’s most popular during the fall, where it’s widely regarded as one of the best places to view fall foliage.
With opportunities for horseback riding, rock climbing, stargazing and even basket-making classes offered during the summer and fall, there are endless ways to enjoy the park and all it has to offer.
nps.gov/shen/
