Beyond the Falls: 13 Great Adventure Day Trips

Posted by Jennifer on June 6, 2016 in Fun | Leave a comment

Looking for outdoor adventures?  Great Falls, RiverBend, Scott’s Run, Dead Run – there are plenty of great trails in our back yard, but what about something new?

Here are 13 great outdoor adventures within a few hours drive.

Great Hikes

Pohick Bay Regional Park – Pohick is located on Mason Neck Peninsula, and is about an hour from McLean and Great Falls.  The park offers miles of hiking trails, a boat launch wit boats for rent, and a huge waterpark.

Prince William County Parks – a network of parks with many different types of trails.  Great for all ages, and dog (with leash) friendly.

Sky Meadows State Park – A gem of a park, located on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Sky Meadows State Park is spread out over 1862 acres with 12 miles of hiking trails.  A Sky Meadows trail accesses the 2180 mile long Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine.  In addition to hiking, there is camping, fishing, and horseback riding, as well as some Civil War history.  Dogs on leash welcome.

Old Rag (Shenandoah National Forest) – Great for older kids and adults, Old Rag is a long hike and gets a little intense toward the summit.  It an be very crowded, especially toward the top when the scrambling starts.  Go during the week, if possible, or start very early on the weekend.  Spectacular views – it is hard to believe that you are just a few hours from DC when you are sitting on top of the mountain.  If you are going to the top, leave the dog at home.

Biking

Mount Vernon Trail: 18 Miles – Paved
This beautiful trail runs along the Potomac River to George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon.  There are parking areas in different spots along the way.

Washington & Old Dominion Trail: 45 Miles – Paved
The W&OD is probably the best all around trail in the area. This is a rail trail between Shirlington and Purcellville, VA.  Access it in our area in Reston.

Chesapeake & Ohio Towpath: 184 Miles – Natural Surface
This awesome trail runs from Washington DC all the way to Cumberland, MD.  It runs along the north bank of the Potomac River.

On the Water

Fishing on the Chesapeake – Chesapeake Bay charter fishing is a great way to introduce kids to fishing.

White Water Rafting – There are loads of charter companies out in Virginia and West Virginia.  Shenandoah River Outfitters in Luray is great.  They rent canoes, kayaks, tubes, rafts and also have camp sites.  Dogs are allowed.

Pirate Ship in Annapolis – Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake is great fu for little kids.  They take part in a cruise on a pirate ship in search of buried treasure.  Great for ages 5-10.  (no dogs)

Other outdoor adventures

Go Ape – Located in Rockville, MD in Rock Creek Park, Go Ape is a “treetop adventure” with zippiness, climbing and “tarzan swings”.  Minimum age is 10, plus a height requirement.

Treehouse Camping – Year round camping and hiking at the Treehouse Camp at Maple Tree Campground.  Camping is in “treehouses”.  Near Harper’s Ferry, backing up to the Appalachian Trail.

Fossil Hunting – Think you can’t find 22 million year old fossils around here?  Think again!  Try digging on the beaches at Calvert Cliffs on the Chesapeake.