Backlick Run

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: Bren Mar Backlick Stream Val Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Backlick Run is a beautiful waterway located in the state of Virginia, flowing through Fairfax County and Alexandria.

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Summary

The area is a popular destination for visitors due to its scenic views, recreational opportunities, and historical significance. The following are some good reasons to visit Backlick Run:

1. Natural beauty: Backlick Run is a picturesque stream that flows through wooded areas, parks, and residential neighborhoods, providing visitors with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

2. Recreational activities: Visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, and boating, along the stream and its adjacent parks.

3. Historical significance: Backlick Run has played a role in the Civil War and was a significant transportation route for early settlers.

4. Points of interest: Visitors can explore several points of interest, including the Fairfax County Parks Trail System, Lake Accotink Park, and Huntley Meadows Park.

5. Interesting facts: Backlick Run was once known as Dogue Creek and was renamed after the Backlick Mill, which was built on its banks in the 18th century.

The best time to visit Backlick Run is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the foliage is at its peak. Visitors should also be aware of the water levels, which can rise during heavy rainfalls and cause flooding. Overall, Backlick Run is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and history of Virginia.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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