Huntley Meadows Park wetland boardwalk

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Huntley Meadows Park wetland boardwalk

Photo: Paul Zucker · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

🥾 Hike · Alexandria

1.5 hours · Free · No reservation needed

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 5.0
1–3 yrs
★ 5.0
3–5 yrs
★ 5.0
5–10 yrs
★ 5.0
  • 🚗
    About 50 min drive
    From Rockville · Parking: Free lot at the Lockheed Blvd entrance, next to the visitor center
  • 🍼
    Stroller-friendly
    Flat surfaces — bring the stroller
  • 🌳
    Some shade
    Great on sunny days · Good on cool days · Wind-OK
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 1.5 hours
    Best seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall

Northern Virginia's biggest freshwater marsh: a half-mile boardwalk runs straight out into the reeds and open water, with frogs, turtles, herons, and a beaver dam close enough to touch, plus an observation tower. From the lot to the boardwalk is a smooth forest path, no stress for a stroller the whole way.

💡 Tips
Spring mornings have the most birds and the loudest frogs; mosquitoes are fierce in summer, so bring repellent. The visitor center is open on weekends with a small exhibit and restrooms. The boardwalk has no lower rail, so hold on to new walkers.

What this place offers

✓boardwalk
✓bird watching
✓beavers
✓turtles
✓free
✓visitor center
✓restrooms

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Alexandria

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

🌦️
Sat 10/17
Drizzle · 43–59°F · 57% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 39–62°F · 4% rain

Location

Alexandria, Virginia

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