Suggestions for Short Hikes with Young Children and a Dog

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for suggestions for short hikes or nature trail walks for young kids and a dog, preferably near Falls Church. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

The trail around Burke Lake is flat and pretty good for kids and dogs.

Roosevelt Island is great for kids, although I think pets aren't allowed.


Keep in mind that no matter where you go, there are not off-leash options for the dog.

[Anonymous]

Yes, please keep your dog on a leash. I'm sure he's very friendly and it's wonderful that he's so well-trained. But the reality is that I -- and my kids -- don't want to come around a bend and be confronted by an unaccompanied dog. Not are we willing to share the snacks in our packs/hands, the ones your friendly, well-trained dog is attempting to lick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, please keep your dog on a leash. I'm sure he's very friendly and it's wonderful that he's so well-trained. But the reality is that I -- and my kids -- don't want to come around a bend and be confronted by an unaccompanied dog. Not are we willing to share the snacks in our packs/hands, the ones your friendly, well-trained dog is attempting to lick.

It's great that you assume the worst in people. Really lovely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, please keep your dog on a leash. I'm sure he's very friendly and it's wonderful that he's so well-trained. But the reality is that I -- and my kids -- don't want to come around a bend and be confronted by an unaccompanied dog. Not are we willing to share the snacks in our packs/hands, the ones your friendly, well-trained dog is attempting to lick.

OP here. Wasn't even thinking of letting her go off leash because I am very cautious about my dog, kids and strangers. Your comments not only presume incorrectly, but are also nasty!

[Anonymous]

Huntley Meadows is a great loop for little kids, though not sure dogs are allowed.

[Anonymous]

Great Falls and Prince William Forest have loads of trails and the kids just love the nature centers at each.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Burke Lake!

Anonymous wrote:Yes, please keep your dog on a leash. I'm sure he's very friendly and it's wonderful that he's so well-trained. But the reality is that I -- and my kids -- don't want to come around a bend and be confronted by an unaccompanied dog. Not are we willing to share the snacks in our packs/hands, the ones your friendly, well-trained dog is attempting to lick.

Uh, the OP didn't say that her dog wasn't going to be on a leash.

[Anonymous]

Roosevelt Island does allow dogs and so does Huntley Meadows, though they can't go on the boardwalk.

[Anonymous]

It isn't that close to Falls Church, but we like to go to the National Arboretum in NE DC. There are a lot of great walks that change during the year as different things come into season (daffoldils are coming now and it is cool when all the azaleas are in bloom) and kids really like to see the old columns from the original Capitol building that are standing there. There is also a mini museum of bonsai trees, some of which are hundreds of years old. The dog can go everywhere except the bonsai museum, but could wait in the car for that part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, please keep your dog on a leash. I'm sure he's very friendly and it's wonderful that he's so well-trained. But the reality is that I -- and my kids -- don't want to come around a bend and be confronted by an unaccompanied dog. Not are we willing to share the snacks in our packs/hands, the ones your friendly, well-trained dog is attempting to lick.

You and your kids walk around hiking trails with snacks in their hands? Gross. I guess we know where the litter comes from now.

[Anonymous]

There are some short hiking trails by the Glen Carlyn dog park in Arlington. It's pretty close to Falls Church.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thank you for all the great suggestions!

[Anonymous]

There's a short trail off Annandale Road - small parking lot on Hockett St. It's between Graham Rd and Gallows Rd. There’s a small stream crossing that is kind of fun. Other than the stream crossing, this trail is off-road stroller friendly – most of the trail is gravel.

Fairfax County has trail maps of the entire county - http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/trails/maps.htm

The Cross County Trail is good for a walk. Parts are paved, gravel, or dirt. We normally park at the park on Tobin Rd in Annandale. But if you check out the county trail maps, you'll find other places to park that might be better for you. This trail is off-road stroller friendly, although it can be quite bumpy at times.

Lake Accotink Park has a nice 4 or so mile loop. It feels a little shorter than Burke Lake and is a little less busy than Burke Lake. Although, we always see plenty of people on the trial. We prefer to park on Danbury Forest Dr in Springfield (near Kings Glen Elementary School) because it’s pretty close to the beltway. It’s a longer drive to get to the actual Lake Accotink Park parking lot. To do this as a loop, part of the walk is along this road. If you’re new to this trail, and parking on Danbury Forest Dr, go all the way to the end and you’ll see one of the trail heads. We take our off-road stroller on this trail no problem.

For an actual hike – my favorite not too far away place is the Bull Run/Occoquan Trail. It’s at the western edge of Fairfax County and is 18 or so miles long. Normally about a ½ hr drive from us (by Annandale/Falls Church boarder). But it feels like you’re out in Shenandoah and there really aren’t that many people on this trail. I almost hesitate posting this here because I love how quiet it is. We prefer to park either at the large parking area across the street from Bull Run Marina Regional Park (trail head at the back/western edge of this parking lot) or at Fountainhead Regional park. From Bull Run Marina, the hikes going north or south are both quite nice. From Fountainhead, you generally go north (or west?). This trail is not stroller friendly. http://www.patc.us/hiking/destinations/bull_run.html

Prince William Forest Park is along 95 south and has a lot of hiking trails. I’ve not been here but I’ve heard good things.

There’s some more parks in the area on my list of places to visit. I often find these by clicking around Google maps, looking for the green areas. I zoom in for the name of the park and Google it to see if there’s hiking trails or other points of interest.

Good luck! We live in an awesome area for nature walks and hiking!

[Anonymous]

Great Falls.