Washington, D.C. is an urban paradise for lovers of all things history. The Smithsonian museums are free to public and showcase topics as diverse as natural history, space and aeronautics, and Native American art. As a result, few know the capital city actually makes a wonderful base for exploring a variety of national parks, each rich with natural beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Below, learn more about five national parks near Washington, D.C. – each is less than ninety minutes from downtown, and makes for perfect for day trips or weekend escapes.
1. Prince William National Forest – Triangle, VA
Located near Quantico, the training base for the DEA, Marine Corps and FBI, Prince William Forest Park boasts a stunning array of trails and rapids in an otherwise quiet corner of rural Virginia. Three of the park’s trails lead hikers to the site of the historic Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine, a post-Civil War era integrated workplace in an overwhelmingly segregated region. Employing largely African-Americans and immigrants from Ireland and Italy, the mine proved to be dangerous and poorly managed. Multiple men were killed on the job, pay was terrible, and a justified worker’s strike after World War 1 led to the closing of the mine. If you’re tired of stuffy museums but still crave a history lesson or two, this is the park for you. Read my full-length piece about Prince William Forest Park here.
Distance from Washington, DC: 32 miles
2. Great Falls Park – McLean, VA
I lived in Washington, D.C. for three years and I can safely say, without a doubt, that Great Falls Park is my favorite locale in the region. Just thirty minutes by car from downtown, visitors can admire this spectacular waterfall from three separate and accessible viewing platforms. The park also has ample trails for those looking for a day hike, offering wonderful views the Potomac River’s rough rapids. During warmer months, a small food stand operates inside the park near an array of benches for those who like to picnic. Read about my winter visit to Great Falls Park here.
Distance from Washington, DC: 17 miles
3. Shenandoah National Park – Front Royal, VA
Shenandoah National Park feels expressly designed for a weekend trip away from the city. Skyline Drive, the park’s 105-mile long scenic thoroughfare, allows for the beauty of the Blue Ridge to be accessible for each and every traveler. Meanwhile, rarely does a mile marker pass without a parking lot and a trailhead, meaning hikers have a seemingly infinite number of paths to explore, many of which lead to waterfalls. My personal favorite? Dark Hollow Falls at mile marker 51. Shenandoah also hosts three private lodges and a number of seasonal camping grounds.
Distance from Washington, DC: 70 miles
4. Piscataway National Park – Accokeek, MD
Piscataway Park, located at the end of a small back road in rural Maryland, allows visitors to feel as though they’re worlds away from the bustle of Washington. An off-the-beaten path park, Piscataway’s quiet atmosphere is due, in part, to the park’s private-public partnership. An nontraditional national park, Piscataway was designed to protect the historic ranch that sits on the land, and the privately-owned Accokeek Foundation receives federal money to help preserve this beautiful green oasis. The park’s highlights include a stunning view of Mount Vernon across the Potomac River and miles of boardwalk pathways through foliage-filled marshland.
Distance from Washington, DC: 20 miles
5. Manassas National Battlefield Park – Manassas, VA
The bucolic countryside preserved at Manassas National Battlefield Park bore witness to two of the Civil War’s most gruesome battles: the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861, and the Second Battle of Bull Run in 1862. The former is typically referred to as the first major clash in the Civil War, while the latter left nearly three thousand soldiers dead. Today, travelers can explore the battlefield and scope out sites such as the Stone House, which doubled as hospital during each of the battles, or simply stroll along the paths and admire the awe-inspiring landscape.
Distance from Washington, DC: 31 miles
