Expert Guide to Arlington's Parks

Explore Arlington’s wide variety of parks to breathe fresh air and immerse yourself in nature.

From the Parks Department experts, here are the best spots around Arlington for all of your favorite outdoor and recreational activities:

Best Arlington Parks for Outdoor Sports

Tennis

Looking to work on your backhand? Head to Towers Park or Virginia Highlands Park for a game of tennis. These lighted courts offer beautiful park settings for your next Ace.

Soccer

Enhance your game at Barcroft Park, Thomas Jefferson Park or Virginia Highlands Park. Barcroft offers a synthetic turf field in the heart of the park and both Thomas Jefferson and Virginia Highlands have synthetic turf and natural grass fields.

Baseball

Test out your homerun swing at Gunston Park, which was converted to a lighted synthetic field in 2019.

Basketball

Shoot some hoops at our well-used basketball courts at Rocky Run Park or Quincy Park.

Bocce

Ever tried bocce? Play this relaxing game that originated in Italy at Glebe & Randolph Park or Clarendon-Barton Park.

Disc Golf

Arlington’s only Disc Golf course is located in beautiful Bluemont Park.

Handball

Try your hand at handball! Barcroft Park has the only outdoor walled court in the County.

Futsal

This is soccer played on a hard court instead of a field. Check out Arlington’s only futsal court at Tyrol Hill Park.

Thomas Jefferson Park

Arlington's Best Gardens

The gardens at Bon Air Park are wondrous, particularly in the spring and fall when the roses bloom.

Bon Air Park Rose Garden

Arlington's Most Dog-Friendly Parks

Got pups? Arlington boasts nine County-owned dog parks!

Swing by Shirlington Dog Park or James Hunter Dog Park in the heart of Clarendon for access to nearby restaurants with patio seating for you and your pooch.

James Hunter Park

Top Trails in Arlington

Hiking

Hit the trail and soak up Arlington's natural beauty. Check out the Donaldson Run and Lubber Run trails.

Biking

With approximately 100 miles of trails in Arlington, it’s hard to choose a favorite, but we’re partial to the W&OD Trail for biking.

Best Arlington Parks for Wildlife

Birds

The grounds at Fort C.F. Smith are wonderful for birders. You might see resident and migrating birds including Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Yellowthroat, Magnolia and Black-throated Blue Warbler and maybe even Great-horned Owl.

Other Critters

Like searching for critters? Lush Gulf Branch Park and Long Branch Park are the perfect places for your hunt.

Best Arlington Parks for Families

Playgrounds of your Dreams

Recently renovated parks include Fairlington, Lubber Run and Mosaic Park. Chestnut Hills, Glencarlyn and Rocky Run all have stellar playground equipment in lush, garden-like settings.

Family BBQs Galore

Kick back, relax, and have a family BBQ surrounded by nature at Bluemont Park, Glencarlyn Park or Alcova Heights Park.

Campfire Friendly

Have your own campfire and rent the fire pit at Lubber Run Park.

Planes, Trains, and Maybe Automobiles

Be mesmerized by the trains and planes at Long Bridge Park. Commuter and freight trains chug along the Esplanade and planes take off and land right over the park.

To learn more about outdoor recreation in Arlington, please visit our outdoor activities page as well as the Arlington Parks website.