The following local parks are part of the U.S. National Park Service, which care for more than 400 national parks and help communities preserve their historic places and open spaces. You can find a complete list of US National Parks by visiting http://www.nps.gov/.
Claude Moore Colonial Farm: 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101
Step back in time and experience life on a small farm in northern Virginia. Living history programs and demonstrations offer a glimpse of what life was like for a poor farm family, just before the Revolutionary War.
Great Falls National Park: 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22102
At Great Falls, the Potomac River builds up speed and force as it falls over a series of steep, jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. The Patowmack Canal offers a glimpse into the early history of this country. Great Falls Park has many opportunities to explore history and nature, all in a beautiful 800-acre park only 15 miles from the Nation’s Capital.
Prince William Forest: 18170 Park Entrance Road, Triangle, VA 22172
Prince William Forest Park is an oasis, a respite of quiet and calm. In 1936, Chopawamsic Recreation Area opened its gates to house children’s ‘relief’ camps during the Great Depression. Renamed Prince William Forest Park in 1948, these fragrant woods and trickling streams have welcomed generations of campers, hikers, bikers and nature lovers.
Shenandoah National Park: 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835
Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is your escape to recreation and re-creation. Cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, quiet wooded hollows—take a hike, meander along Skyline Drive, or picnic with the family. 200,000 acres of protected lands are haven to deer, songbirds and the night sky.
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA
No matter what your age or taste in shows, you’ll find something you like onstage at Wolf Trap. From May through September, multiple amphitheaters in the park present performances such as musicals, dance, opera, jazz, and popular and country music. A good time to explore the beauty and history of the park without the crowds is October – April.