Hit the Trails: Celebrate National Take a Hike Day in Prince William County

Break out your hiking shoes and start planning your fall hiking adventures at one of our many parks and trails. November 17 is National Take a Hike Day—the perfect time to get outside, take in the crisp fall air, and explore! The cooler weather and beautiful colors of fall make it one of most enjoyable times of the year to go hiking. There are also numerous health benefits you can experience from hiking. Hiking can help you build stronger muscles and bones, as well as improve your sense of balance. Being in nature can also boost your mood. According to a study done by researchers at Stanford University, spending quality time in the great outdoors reduces stress, calms anxiety and can lead to a lower risk of depression.

We have so many great trails in Prince William County where you can take a stroll and enjoy a beautiful fall day outside. Below are a few we think you’ll enjoy.

Silver Lake Regional Park
Gravel, grass, and natural surface trails within Silver Lake Park in Haymarket, Virginia are open to hiking, as well as biking and equestrian use. The trails traverse the park's woods, meadows and shorelines, providing a diverse natural experience. Visitors can also use the existing portion of the Catharpin Greenway through the Dominion Valley community to Rt. 15 and Waterfall Rd.

Visitors can enjoy the 1.1-mile loop trail at Silver Lake which is generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 21 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Neabsco Regional Park and Neabsco Creek Boardwalk
Neabsco Regional Park and the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk in Woodbridge are great places to see some beautiful fall foliage. Here you can experience the beautiful views along the scenic ¾ mile boardwalk. Part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, the boardwalk connects trails and historic sites throughout Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.  While you’re there you might also see some bald eagles, ospreys, turtles and deer so be on the lookout. The Neabsco Creek Boardwalk is wheelchair accessible, stroller and dog-friendly (leashed), and there are observation decks (via steps) for a better view of your surroundings including Occoquan Bay in the distance.

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park is a 140-acre historic site in western Prince William County. Here, Federal and Confederate soldiers fought the Battle of Kettle Run on August 27, 1862, and the Battle of Bristoe Station on October 14, 1863. You can visit this historic and natural treasure at the corner of Iron Bridge Unit Avenue and Tenth Alabama Way in Bristow, Virginia, just off Bristow Road.

This peaceful landscape features more than 2.7 miles of walking and equestrian trails. The trail is a mixture of gravel, grass and wooden walkways with historic markers along the way. The trail is kids, dog and horse friendly - but be mindful that after rainfall there can be pooling of waters in various areas along the trail. Wildlife abounds in the fields, woods, and ponds. Click here for a map of the park’s trails. 

The parks and trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset free of charge. Please note there are no restrooms, concessions or camping facilities on site.

Lake Ridge Park
Located directly on the Occoquan Reservoir in Woodbridge, Lake Ridge Park is a 74-acre park that maintains unencumbered public access to the Occoquan Water Trail with breathtaking views. 
A popular trail is the Lake Ridge Trail, a .8 mile out-and-back trail. The trail is generally considered an "easy" hike taking an average of 19 mins to complete.

If you're looking for a longer hike, check out the East End Trail, a 5.5 mile out-and-back trail. The trail is considered a moderately challenging route, and takes an average of 2 hours to complete. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.

Occoquan Greenway
The Occoquan Greenway links the County Government Complex to the Town of Occoquan using a mix of paved and natural surface trails. Trail users can expect varied terrain with views of the Occoquan Reservoir as well as water access. Leashed pets are welcome on the Greenway and visitors are reminded to bring their own pet waste bags.

A new bridge was installed in 2023 in the section of the Occoquan Greenway located between Hedges Run Drive and Mohican Road, referred to as Segment 3 of the trail. For the best trail experience, visitors should park at the Lake Ridge Marina trailhead and walk on the natural surface trail and on-street segments to Antietam Elementary School. Visitors should be aware that work is ongoing at Segment 6 of the trail.

Locust Shade Park
Located next to the Marine Corps Heritage Museum in Triangle, Virginia, Locust Shade Park is minutes from I-95 and offers scenic beauty, tranquil water and picturesque trails. 

According to users on AllTrails.com, the most popular place to hike in Locust Shade Park is John Palmer Trail which has a 4.6 star rating from 163 reviews. The trail is 2.1 miles long with an elevation gain of 223 ft and takes an average of 50 minutes to hike.

Looking for more? Download our PWC RecMapper app where you can view photos and information on all of our parks, trails, facilities and historic properties. The app allows you to view amenities by map or list; filter and search what’s important to you; or get directions and map out your route. 

If you’re out on a hike at any of our trails and capture some of the beautiful fall colors, we encourage you to share your photos with us on social media by tagging @PWCparks or by using the hashtag #PWCparks.