Fairfax County is an amazing place for outdoor play. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a casual hiker, or a family just looking for a fun playground, you will never run out of options here. Below we link to county, municipal, regional, state, and national parks (and farms) in Fairfax County. From those links you’ll find many great events the organizations offer all year! Also see our list of annual national events (celebrated locally) all about the great outdoors!
Parks in Fairfax
- Fairfax County Park Authority: Includes 23,194 acres of parkland and 420 parks, including 9 indoor RECenters, 8 golf courses, several lakes, a waterpark, spraygrounds, a skate park, an ice-skating rink, 5 nature and visitor centers, a working farm, several mills, historic sites, more than 371 miles of trails, and more. Also see the online trails map specific to Fairfax County!
- Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority: Almost 11,000 acres of woodlands, streams and rolling Virginia countryside in Fairfax and other parts of Northern Virginia, including 24 regional parks featuring golf courses, swimming pools, water parks, hiking trails and much more.
- Reston Association Parks: More than 1,350 acres of open space including 55 miles of paved pathways and natural surface trails, more than 700 acres of forest, 50 meadows, 4 wetlands, recreation facilities, and more.
- City of Falls Church Parks & Recreation: Twelve parks with playgrounds, trails, and sports facilities.
- Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation: Eleven neighborhood parks plus two walking trails, Sugarland Run Trail and the historic Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD).
- City of Fairfax Parks: Three parks with pavilions, play equipment, sports fields and trails, plus other recreational areas.
- Great Falls National Park: Beautiful 800-acre national park showing the wilder side of the Potomac River and offering numerous hiking trails.
- Mason Neck State Park: State Park in Lorton with 1,825 acres offering hiking and biking trails, a playground, and canoeing.
- Fort Hunt Park: Historic national park along the George Washington Parkway in the county’s south end, featuring lots of open space, picnic areas, and remains of buildings from centuries ago.
- NOVA Outdoors: Great mom-run site featuring detailed reviews of parks in Fairfax and all of Northern Virginia.
Farms in Fairfax
- Frying Pan Farm Park: County-owned working demonstration farm that is a re-creation of the family dairy farm of the 1920s-1950s; see antique farm equipment, visit animals, and enjoy the carousel, wagon rides, farm store, and special events.
- Cox Farms: Privately owned family farm in western Fairfax County known for its huge annual fall festival, friendly animals, corner market, and seasonal events.
- Mount Vernon: The home of George Washington features not only the estate, museum, and education center, but also nearly 50 acres of his extensive plantation, beautiful gardens, and a 4-acre demonstration farm.
- Turner Farm: This County-owned 52-acre park is located on the site of a former dairy farm and now features a celestial telescope and educational facilities and horseback riding and jumping facilities along with a tot lot, picnic area and trails.
Outdoor Activities
- National outdoor festivals: See our list of national outdoor festivals, celebrated locally, designed to get families to enjoy time outside. Our special page lists the dates for this year!
- Lakefront parks in Fairfax County: List of county parks offering fishing, boating, camping, and more activities.
- Bull Run Regional Park Campground: Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) location in Centreville offering various camping options.
- Pohick Bay Regional Park: Camping options at Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, another NVRPA property.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Virginia State Parks and U.S. National Parks!
