Most people like to curl up inside when it's winter in DC. But winter in DC can feel never-ending, so you're going to want to get up and head outside. This is why Sky Meadows State Park is the perfect winter destination! It's just an hour outside of DC, and at just one mile in length, is easily the best easy winter hiking spot near the city.
Sky Meadows State Park is an hour away from DC near Paris, Virginia.
It's a 1,864-acre state park located in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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It's a gorgeous park that has a mix of forests and meadows.
While it's beautiful year-round, Sky Meadows is quite magnificent in the winter.
There are a variety of different hikes for all different levels of hikers.
The Snowden trail is the perfect trail for cold weather.
It's a 1.1-mile loop that includes stunning overlooks of the mountains and valleys.
The trail is relatively flat and is easy for hikers of all ages.
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If you want to extend your hike, there are lots of different trails that intersect and will take you to different areas of the park.
After the hike, check out the historic Mt. Bleak House, which shows what life was like in the 1860s.
For gorgeous views and picturesque winter scenes, take a trip to Sky Meadows State Park.
Where are some of your favorite places to go hiking in DC during winter? Do you have any favorite winter activities in DC? Tell us all about your traditions in the comments!
Because DC is not a state, we don’t get access to cool state parks like many other states do. But we’re lucky enough to live in an area that offers plenty of fascinating national parks around the area to visit! Here are 10 under-appreciate national parks near DC that you should visit. You might just find your new favorite national park to visit in Washington DC.
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1. Piscataway Park
Piscataway Park is part of the National Capital Parks-East program and is 20 miles southwest of downtown DC. The park is made up of wetlands, meadows, and woodlands and is home to bald eagles, beavers, and other wildlife. It also includes the National Colonial Farm, where visitors can learn about the history of the farm and the surrounding park. Read more about Piscataway Park in a previous article.
3400 Bryan Point Rd Accokeek, MD, 20607
2. Catoctin Mountain Park
Catoctin Mountain Park is also located north of DC in Maryland. The park has 25 miles of hiking trails, gorgeous streams, and incredible views of the surrounding area. You can hike the mountain or explore the surrounding trails. Learn more about this national park to visit in Maryland in a previous article.
6602 Foxville Rd, Thurmont, MD, 21788
3. Fort Washington Park
Fort Washington has a rich history as being the first, and at one time, the only fort protecting DC. This peaceful park is right along the Potomac River and offers bird watching, wildlife, fishing, a three-mile hiking trail, and plenty of history for its visitors. Visit the official website of Fort Washington Park.
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13551 Fort Washington Rd Fort Washington, MD, 20744
4. Prince William Forest
This park was originally called the Copawamsic Recreation Area when it opened in 1936 as a place children could live during the Great Depression. In 1948 it was renamed Prince William Forest Park and has been one of the area’s best kept secrets. You can camp, hike, bike, and fish in this fun park in Northern Virginia. Read more about this national park to visit in Virginia in our previous article.
18100 Park Headquarters Rd Triangle, VA, 22172
5. Glen Echo Park
The National Park Service and Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture teamed up to create an artistic and cultural park unlike any other. Ride the carousel; enjoy cultural presentations and dances, and don’t miss the puppet show. This park is perfect for families with young children. Plan your visit to this national park to visit near Washington DC.
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7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD, 20812
6. Anacostia Park
Anacostia Park is one of DC’s largest parks and recreation areas. Known as the city’s urban oasis, Anacostia Park has playgrounds, a roller skating rink, biking, and jogging trails and water activities on the Anacostia River. Visit the Anacostia Park website for more information.
1900 Anacostia Dr, Washington, DC, 20020
7. Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm
Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Cove Farm is technically more than a national park. It is a national historic district, but it’s too fun to not include on the list. Visit this living farm museum, and learn about how the farm transformed from a plantation home during the War of 1812 to the park it is today. Find out why this is one of the best parks near Washington DC.
6411 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD, 20745
8. Jones Point Park
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Technically, George Washington Memorial Parkway is a national parkway designed for recreational driving. Congress protected the sites along the road as a "park and playground" for DC. Jones Point Park is one of these sites. Located on the Potomac River, this park features fishing piers, garden plots, playgrounds, fields, and the Jones Point Lighthouse. Visit the website of Jones Point Park.
125 Jones Point Dr Alexandria, VA, 22314
9. Lady Bird Johnson Park
Also a part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway parks, Lady Bird Johnson Park is the perfect quiet place to enjoy nature. In the spring, thousands of daffodils and tulips emerge and in the fall, the trees show off gorgeous fall foliage colors. It’s a great place for a picnic or for a photo session. Learn more on the official website of Lady Bird Johnson Park.
Washington Blvd, Washington, DC, 20037
10. Turkey Run Park
Turkey Run Park is part of the Potomac Gorge ecosystem, and hikers and nature lovers will enjoy a diverse combination of flora and fauna, streams, riverbanks. It’s a perfect place to hike and observe nature. Check out the Turkey Run Park website for more information.
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700 George Washington Memorial Parkway McLean, VA, 22101
What is your favorite national park to visit in Washington DC? Tell us about it in the comments! If you love these hidden gems, you will love this secret garden in DC!
With close proximity to the beautiful natural splendors of both Maryland and Virginia, Washington DC has no shortage of beautiful state parks to explore. No matter what time of year it might be, it's always a great time to witness the natural beauty galore in seven of the best state parks around Washington DC. Check them out and let us know your thoughts:
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1. Seneca Creek State Park
Seneca Creek State Park is 6,300 acres along 14 miles of the beautiful Seneca Creek in Montgomery County. The gorgeous 90 acre Clopper Lake is surrounded by forests, flowers and fields and makes for a perfect spot for a picnic. Learn more on the official website!
2. Mason Neck State Park
In Fairfax, Virginia, Mason Neck provides many outdoor activities for the whole family. There is miles of trails, a canoe launch, a playground and a picnic area. You can bird watch, rent bikes and explore the ponds and forest around the park. It also just so happens to be the best spot to watch the sunset around here, too.
3. Patuxent State Park
This park is along the Patuxent River in Howard and Montgomery counties. Patuxent River is popular for fishers and hunters and there are also miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding, exploring the beauty of the area. Learn all about it on the official website.
4. Sky Meadows State Park
You’ll be transported back to the past at Sky Meadows State Park. Set on historic farm land in Virginia, you can hike the 24 miles of hiking trails, bike the 9 miles of bike trails, access the Appalachian trail and learn about the post-Civil War life at year-round history programs offered by the park rangers. Read more about this Virginia gem in this article.
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5. Gambrill State Park
If you feel the draw of the mountains, head to Gambrill State Park, which is located on the ridge of the Catoctin Mountains in Frederick, Maryland. The park has two areas: the Rock Run area and the High Knob area. The High Knob area is a three stone overlook with beautiful views of the valleys and surrounding towns. The Rock Run area has a campground, picnic area and small pond. There is plenty to do.
6. Shenandoah River State Park
In the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, the Shenandoah River State Park is right on the Shenandoah River and offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains and park land. You can camp, picnic, hike and adventure around the area. This state park is awesome for scenic drives, too!
7. Seven Bends State Park
Seven Bends is the entry to the Shenandoah Valley. Surrounded by the Massanutten Mountains, the park has acres of open fields, open fields and wild life. It’s a peaceful slice of paradise to visit. Learn more about Seven Bends on its official website.