2021-12-02 09:02:42
Fairfax County has some truly epic places to explore the outdoors, your way. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or a relaxing moment in nature, a brisk bike ride or a meandering trail, raging falls or trickling streams, you can choose your own adventure here, from wild to mild! Extreme Adventure Fairfax County is teeming with adventure for outdoor thrill-seekers. Are you up for the challenge of climbing the rocks of Great Falls above the Potomac River? This popular Northern Virginia park is one of the few climbing destinations on the East Coast that allows climbing directly above water. Get your blood pumping with the high-flying adventures of Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park in Springfield, where you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view as you traverse 50-foot-high tree-to-tree crossings, a 300-foot zipline and heart-stopping Tarzan swings. Active Discovery Looking to keep active while on vacation? Set out on the 15-mile mountain bike trail at Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax Station. Featuring three loops for various skill levels, the trail surprises with steep inclines, hairpin turns and multiple rock gardens to explore. For an immersive outdoor experience sure to work up a sweat, surround yourself in nature at the 18-mile-long Bull Run Occoquan Trail or head out to Burke Lake Park to try out a nationally recognized fitness trail that loops around a scenic lake. You can also grab your paddles and get on the water for a beautiful way to explore the area’s outdoors. Whether you bring your own or rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard, you’ll want to hit the open waters of Riverbend Park in Great Falls or Mason Neck State Park and Pohick Bay Regional Park, both in Lorton. A Leisurely Pace The outdoors aren’t only for exercise. Soak up their calming effect as you discover waterfalls, gardens and lush hiking trails. Home to some of the most scenic golf courses in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County lets you tee up at more than a dozen of them. Get a unique perspective of the area’s beauty from horseback, with many stables and horse-friendly trails inviting you to roam. With the nation’s first bald eagle refuge at Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Lorton – and other wildlife viewing hot spots like Huntley Meadows Park – Fairfax County is a haven for bird-watchers and nature-lovers. Be sure to cap off your day of play at one of many local restaurants, breweries or wineries offering outdoor dining and tasting areas. Outside, in the City Even when exploring the area’s buzziest cities, there are still plenty of wide-open green spaces to explore. STRAWBERRY PARK Along with perfect space for a picnic, you’ll also find outdoor films, a farmers’ market and other innovative activities at this urban park in Mosaic. LAKE ANNE PLAZA This historic heart and soul of Reston is reminiscent of a European coastal village surrounded by walking trails, waterfront views, dining, retail and a museum. THE PERCH Enjoy a craft beer at Starr Hill Biergarten while listening to live music on this elevated 1.2-acre sky park and village green in the heart of Tysons, Fairfax County’s urban downtown. Fab Family Fun Engage the whole family with these outdoor activities in Fairfax County! At Roer’s Zoofari, your family will get up-close encounters with bison, llamas, zebra and more. Be sure to check out the petting zoo, where your crew can feed animals like goats, ostriches and warthogs. Make a (very big!) splash with a 300-gallon dumping bucket at Pirate’s Cove Waterpark in Lorton or the 25-foot-high play structure at Atlantis Waterpark at Bull Run. Or spend a day with baby animals at Frying Pan Farm Park, a site that also offers a glimpse into a 1930s-era working farm. You’re sure to harvest plenty of smiles all around.
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