The list of hiking locations in the DMV area is endless! We’ve put together a quick list of both the well-known and smaller locations. Under each location, there are multiple trails and points of entry. Check out the websites linked for details on difficulty, activities available, events the parks hold, directions and what’s closest to you!
Maryland
Appalachian Trail
VA- http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/find-a-hike/hikes—va
MD- http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/find-a-hike/hikes—md
MD-
Crampton Gap, Gathland State Park
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Closest Town: Burkittsville and Frederick County
Washington Monument
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Closest Town: Burkittsville and Frederick County
Black Hill Regional Park
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/regional_parks/blackhill/
Location: 20930 Lake Ridge Dr.
Boyds, MD
Phone: 301-528-3490
Boat rentals, private boating, fishing, water trail, lake tours, camping, dog park, visitor center, nature programs, picnic shelters, play areas, and trails!
Trail length: 4.3 miles- asphalt surface for most, steep and rocky in some sections
Brookside Gardens
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/
Location: 1800 Glenallan Ave.
Wheaton, MD
The C&O Canal
http://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm
Visitor centers: Georgetown, Potomac, Brunswick, Williamsport, Hancock, Cumberland
Hiking, biking, visitor centers, guided programs
See website for specific locations! http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/park-brochures-and-site-bulletins.htm
Calvert Cliffs State Park
http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/southern/calvertcliffs.aspx
Location: 10540 H. G. Truman Rd.
Lusby, MD
Fossil hunting, beach, nature trails, picnic areas, fishing, tire playground and more!
Catoctin Mountain
http://www.nps.gov/cato/index.htm
Location: 14707 Park Central Rd.
Thurmont, MD
Fall Color Walks, fishing, camping, picnicking, fishing, cross country skiing, horse trails, hiking, rock climbing and more!
Best Easy Hike: Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Trail, Best Moderate Hike: Falls Nature Trail, Most Challenging: Wolf Rock/Chimney Rock
Cedarville State Forest
http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/southern/cedarville.aspx
Hiking, biking and equestrian trails and camping
Location: Brandywine, MD
Cunningham Falls State Park
http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/cunningham.aspx
William Houck Area- three miles west of Thurmont on Route 77- lake area, falls and camping
The Manor Area off Route 15, three miles south of Thurmont- Scales and Tales Aviary, camping, Catoctin Iron Furnace
Activities everywhere: hiking, swimming, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing and more!
Hiking: Short, flat hikes to steep and rocky ascents. Distances vary from .5 mile – 7.5 miles.
Falling Branch
http://www.mgs.md.gov/geology/geology_tour/falling_branch.html
Location: Harford County- Falling Branch Rd., Pylesville, MD
Waterfall
Great Falls Park
http://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm
Bicycling, boating, bird watching, climbing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, kayaking, guided tours, indoor activities, children’s room and more!
Locations:
9200 Old Dominion Dr.
McLean, VA
11710 MacArthur Blvd.
Potomac, MD
Billy Goat Trail– 4.7 mile trail along the Potomac River in Montgomery County from the Great Falls Overlook. One of the most scenic destinations in the DC area
Greenbrier State Park
http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/greenbrier.aspx
Location: Off Rt. 40, 2-3 miles in
Camping, canoeing, hiking trails, mountain biking, picnic area, playground and more!
Gunpowder Falls State Park
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/guide/visitors-guide-to-top-hikes-in-gunpowder-falls-state-park/
More than 100 miles of trails varying in length and difficulty
Location: Baltimore County and Hereford County
See website for details
Lake Needwood Trail
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/PPSD/ParkTrails/trails_MAPS/rock_creek.shtm
Location: Rock Creek Regional Park
6129 Needwood Lake Drive
Rockville, MD
Phone: 301-948-5053
Patapsco Valley State Park
http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/patapsco.aspx
Location: Ellicott City, MD
Includes Avalon Super Loop- ruins, waterfalls, trains and river views
Patuxent
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/visit/plan_your_visit.html
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, and more!
Location: North Tract: 230 Bald Eagle Dr.
Laurel, MD
South Tract: 10901 Scarlett Tanager Loop
Laurel, MD
Piscataway
http://www.nps.gov/pisc/index.htm
Location: Off Bryan Point Rd.
Accokeek, MD
Potomac Heritage
http://www.nps.gov/pohe/index.htm
Location: DC, MD, VA, and PA: http://www.nps.gov/pohe/parkmgmt/partners.htm
Hiking, bicycling, boating, horseback riding, rock climbing, visitor centers, running and more! A large network of trails, places and communities.
Explore by region or activity: http://www.nps.gov/pohe/planyourvisit/potomac_heritage_explorer.htm
Rachel Carson Conservation
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/PPSD/ParkTrails/trails_MAPS/Rachel_Carson.shtm
Location: 22201 Zion Rd.
Brookesville, MD
Hiking and Horseback Riding
Seneca Creek State Park
http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/seneca.aspx
Hiking and biking trails, boat rental, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, historic interest, picnicking, playgrounds, riding trails and more!
Location: Off Clopper Rd. (Route 117)
Gaithersburg, MD
See website for more detailed directions
Sugarloaf Mountain
Location: 10 miles south of Frederick, MD
Closest village is Barnesville
See website for trail maps!
Western Maryland Rail Trail
http://www.westernmarylandrailtrail.org/WMRT/
Location: Hancock, MD
Biking, hiking and more!
Yellow Trail (Saddleback Horse Trail) – Sugarloaf Mountain
Location: 7901 Comus Road
Dickerson, MD
Phone: 301-874-2024
More Montgomery Parks: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/PPSD/ParkTrails/
Virginia
Appalachian Trail
VA- http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/find-a-hike/hikes—va
MD- http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/find-a-hike/hikes—md
VA-
Compton Gap to Compton Peak
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Closest Town: Front Royal
Mary’s Rock in Shenandoah National Park
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Closest Town: Luray
Hawksbill Loop in Shenandoah National Park
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Closest Town: Luray
Lewis Spring Falls in Shenandoah National Park
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Closest Town: Harrisonburg
Blackrock
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Closest Town: Harrisonburg
Bear’s Den Mountain in Shenandoah National Park
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Closest Town: Waynesboro
Bluff Mountain
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Closest Town: Buena Vista
Apple Orchard
Difficulty Level: Easy
Closest Town: Bedford and Lynchburg
Dismal Creek Falls
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Closest Town: Bland
Bull Run Regional Park
http://www.nvrpa.org/park/bull_run
Location: Take 1-66 to Exit 52 at Centreville, drive 2 miles south, turn left onto Bull Run Post Office Rd. and follow signs to the park entrance
Campgrounds, biking trails, batting cage, canoe/kayak rentals, disc golf course, equestrian trails, fishing, boat rentals, historic museum, gardens, mini golf course, hiking/walking trails and much more!
Burke Lake Park
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelakepark/
Location: 7315 Ox Rd.
Fairfax Station, VA
Fitness Trails suitable for walking, running, or biking!
The C&O Canal
http://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm
Visitor centers: Georgetown, Potomac, Brunswick, Williamsport, Hancock, Cumberland
Hiking, biking, visitor centers, guided programs
See website for specific locations! http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/park-brochures-and-site-bulletins.htm
Crampton’s Gap to Harper’s Ferry on the Appalachian Trail
http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGN129-001
Year round hiking
See website for location details!
George Washington National Forest
http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/HoneQuarryRidge/
The Hone Quarry
Harrionsburg, VA
Overlook – very do-able for kids!
Great Falls Park
http://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm
Bicycling, boating, bird watching, climbing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, kayaking, guided tours, indoor activities, children’s room and more!
Locations:
9200 Old Dominion Dr.
McLean, VA
11710 MacArthur Blvd.
Potomac, MD
Billy Goat Trail-4.7 mile trail along the Potomac River in Montgomery County from the Great Falls Overlook. One of the most scenic destinations in the DC area
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
https://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm
Blue Ridge Mountain vistas, river views, Civil War history and explore Harpers Ferry
Easy Hike: Appalachian Trail North, Strenuous Hike: Maryland Heights, Great Views: Loudoun Heights
Huntley Meadows Park
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows-park/
Wetlands and wildlife watching and hiking!
Location: 3701 Lockheed Blvd.
Alexandria, VA
Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mason_Neck/visit/directions.html
Location: High Point Rd.
Lorton, VA
Mount Vernon Trail
http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/mtvernontrail.htm
Difficulty: Easy
Runs from Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, to the monuments of D.C.
Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/hiking-old-rag.htm
Location: VA – part of Shenandoah National Park, see website for directions
Potomac Heritage
http://www.nps.gov/pohe/index.htm
Location: DC, MD, VA, and PA: http://www.nps.gov/pohe/parkmgmt/partners.htm
Hiking, bicycling, boating, horseback riding, rock climbing, visitor centers, running and more! A large network of trails, places and communities.
Explore by region or activity: http://www.nps.gov/pohe/planyourvisit/potomac_heritage_explorer.htm
Prince William Forest
http://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Location: Off Joplin Rd./VA Route 619
Directions on website
Best Short Hike: Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine Trail, Best Moderate Hike: Farms to Forest Trail, Best Long Hike: South Valley Trail
Hiking, biking, cabins and camping, special events and more!
Scott’s Run Nature Preserve
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/scottsrun/
Two entrances off of Georgetown Pike
Shenandoah National Park
http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm
Location: Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Dr., VA
See website for directions
Best Short Hike: Bearfence Trail, Most Challenging Hike: Little Devils Stairs, Great Waterfall Hike: Whiteoak Canyon
Hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, bicycling, fishing, horseback riding, waterfalls and more!
River Trail
http://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm
Location: Great Falls Park
9200 Old Dominion Dr.
McLean, VA
Phone: 703-285-2965
Other NOVA Parks: http://www.nvrpa.org/park/main_site/content/NVRPA_Parks including Hemlock Overlook http://www.nvrpa.org/park/hemlock_overlook/
Washington D.C.
The C&O Canal
http://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm
Visitor centers: Georgetown, Potomac, Brunswick, Williamsport, Hancock, Cumberland
Hiking, biking, visitor centers, guided programs
See website for specific locations! http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/park-brochures-and-site-bulletins.htm
Mount Vernon Trail
http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/planyourvisit/mtvernontrail.htm
Difficulty: Easy
Runs from Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home, to the monuments of D.C.
Potomac Heritage
http://www.nps.gov/pohe/index.htm
Location: DC, MD, VA, and PA: http://www.nps.gov/pohe/parkmgmt/partners.htm
Hiking, bicycling, boating, horseback riding, rock climbing, visitor centers, running and more! A large network of trails, places and communities.
Explore by region or activity: http://www.nps.gov/pohe/planyourvisit/potomac_heritage_explorer.htm
Rock Creek Park
http://www.nps.gov/rocr/index.htm
Locations:
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium is located at 5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC 20015, near the intersection of Military Road and Glover Rd.
Peirce Mill and Barn is located at 2401 Tilden Street NW, Washington DC 20015
Old Stone House is located in the Georgetown neighborhood at 3051 M Street NW, Washington DC 20015.
Over 25 miles of trails stretching from Washington, DC to Montgomery, County Maryland. Hikers may pick up trail at Beach Drive, Meadowside Nature Center or Lake Needwood. Park rangers lead free educational programs that discuss the natural and cultural features of the park. Historic landmarks include Pierce Mill and Old Stone House.
For a long list of specific trails:
http://www.localhikes.com/MSA/MSA_8872.asp
