This time of year is a great time to get out for a walk along the water in NoVA. When you want to enjoy beautiful views, a waterfront walk offers a great opportunity.

Maybe you’ve been feeling cooped up and you really just need to get outside. Even with the pandemic still keeping life from returning to normal, you can enjoy plenty of walking throughout NoVA.

If you’re tired of the same neighborhood trails, it might be time for a change of scenery. Let’s look at some of the top spots in Northern Virginia for a walk along the water.

15+ Top Spots to Walk Along the Water in NoVA

1. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

A wonderful spot to relax, the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens offers plenty of water and beauty throughout. You will need to pay a small fee for access to the gardens, but you’ll be able to spend the day enjoying a walk along the water in NoVA.

The Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is found along Lake Lina, Lake Gardiner, and Lake Caroline. All three lakes offer plenty of beautiful areas to walk along the water.

2. Founders Park

A beautiful park in Alexandria, Founders Park is found right on the Potomac River. You can enjoy a wonderful riverside walk by the garden with your dog or just by yourself. Stop for a picnic along the way or just enjoy the flowers as you walk along the water.

3. Burke Lake Park

A beautiful park found in Fairfax Station, Burke Lake Park offers more than 800 acres of space to enjoy. It’s known for the Burke Lake Loop, which offers plenty of shoreline around the lake to walk along the water in NoVA,

The 4.7-mile trail provides plenty of areas for walking, some paved and some unpaved. Whether you want an easy walk with children or you want to go for a long run around the lake, Burk Lake Park offers a very popular waterfront spot in NoVA.

4. Daingerfield Island

A very unique area for a waterfront walk, Daingerfield Island offers wonderful wildlife viewing with turtles, frogs, herons, and more. It’s very close to Old Town in Alexandria.

Marina Drive is a great area for walking at Daingerfield Island. It’s found right off the Mount Vernon Trail and George Washington Parkway.

5. Lake Anna State Park

One of the most popular spots in all of Northern Virginia, Lake Anna State Park offers 15 miles of trails for walking. With some of the best scenery in the area, you can enjoy plenty of waterfront walking throughout the park.

Lake Anna State Park offers much more than just walking trails throughout. Spend the entire day here or just stop in for a few hours to enjoy a walk along the water in NoVA.

6. Tide Lock Park

Found on the Potomac River, Tide Lock Park offers a beautiful place to enjoy a walk along the water. Your walk will be rather unique as the park is home to the “Promenade Classique”, which is a sculpture found amount pools and waterfalls. The park also features riverfront seating and a biking trail.

7. Oronoco Bay Park

Another park found along the Potomac River in Alexandria, Oronoco Bay Park offers a wonderful spot for a walk. The park offers plenty of picnic spots and it’s the host of several festivals and events throughout the year.

Enjoy the walking, biking, and jogging trails found here with plenty of incredible views of the river.

8. Leesylvania State Park

Located in Woodbridge, Leesylvania State Park offers a wonderful spot for walking along the water. You’ll have multiple options including the Potomac River, Neabsco Creek, and Powell’s Creek to enjoy a walk along the water.

The park provides several hiking trails with beautiful views of the water. You can enjoy walking the Potomac Trail or the Bushey Point Trail for incredible views. Portions of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail are found here, as well.

Leesylvania State Park also offers kayaking, fishing, swimming, and more. Tent camping is also allowed if you want to stay the night and discover even more amazing water views.

A few more wonderful places in NoVA for a walk along the water include:

• Great Falls Park
• Harborside/Shipyard Park
• Jones Point Park
• Montgomery Park
• Fort’s Landing Park
• Windmill Hill Park
• Mount Vernon Trail
• Fountainhead Regional Park
• Lake Accontink Park
• Royal Lake Park
• And More!

There are several wonderful spots in Northern Virginia to walk along the water. With so many lakes and beautiful rivers throughout, it’s not hard to find a trail or paved path to enjoy a walk along the water.