Huntley Meadows Park

Trails and natural areas are daylight destinations. The Norma Hoffman Visitor Center currently opens 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays except Tuesday; weekend hours are seasonal, including 9 a.m.-1 p.m. through August 30 and noon-5 p.m. during spring and fall periods. Check holidays and current alerts.

The main Lockheed Boulevard lot is the correct choice for the boardwalk and Visitor Center. A small lot at 6901 South Kings Highway serves only the hike-bike trail; do not expect it to provide a short boardwalk approach.

Use 3701 Lockheed Boulevard for the main parking lot, Visitor Center, restrooms, Cedar Trail, wetland boardwalk, and naturalist help. The separate 6901 South Kings Highway entrance serves a one-mile paved hike-bike trail but has no facilities.

Restrooms, exhibits, and staff assistance are available at the main Visitor Center during its operating hours. There are no facilities at the South Kings Highway entrance or on the wetland boardwalk.

Individual and family admission is free. Organized groups of 12-60 currently pay $30, with $1 for each additional person over 60; programs, shelters, commercial photography, rentals, and special activities may charge separately.

Fairfax County lists a measured accessible stonedust route from accessible parking toward the boardwalk. The boardwalk is narrow, wetland conditions vary, and visitors needing a specific accommodation should contact the park in advance.

Pets are prohibited on the Restoration and Heron Trails, including the wetland boardwalk. Leashed pets are allowed on other designated park trails, including the separate South Kings Highway hike-bike route.

The Visitor Center, short forest approach, wildlife, boardwalk, frogs, beavers, dragonflies, deer, and more than 200 recorded bird species make this a strong quiet-nature outing. Children must walk rather than run on the narrow boardwalk.

Local bus service reaches parts of the surrounding Lockheed Boulevard and South Kings Highway area, but the final walk and return schedule vary. Map the exact entrance rather than navigating to the preserve's geographic center.

This is a wildlife sanctuary, not an active-recreation park. Walk slowly, stay on marked routes, do not run or jog on the boardwalk, do not fish or use nets, keep wheels at the main entrance, and carry out everything brought in.

Bring water and a backup snack unless a currently open concession is confirmed near the exact destination. Food availability, vending, and event vendors are not consistent across this large public place.