Backlick Stream Val Park

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: Franconia Park Franconia Forest Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Backlick Stream Val Park is a natural park located in Fairfax County, Virginia.

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Summary

The park offers a range of activities for visitors, including hiking, fishing, and picnicking. There are several reasons to visit this beautiful park, including its picturesque views, abundant wildlife, and peaceful atmosphere.

One of the main points of interest in Backlick Stream Val Park is its namesake stream, which runs throughout the park and provides a home for a variety of fish and other aquatic creatures. The park is also home to a number of hiking trails, including the Burke Lake Park Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Other notable attractions in the park include the South Run Stream Valley Park, the Laurel Hill Equestrian Center, and the Burke Lake Golf Center. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic in one of the park's many picnic areas or take part in one of the park's many educational programs and events.

Interesting facts about Backlick Stream Val Park include its location in the heart of the historic Virginia countryside, as well as its designation as a National Wildlife Refuge. The park is also home to a number of rare and endangered species, including the bald eagle.

The best time of year to visit Backlick Stream Val Park depends on what you are looking for. Spring and summer are the peak seasons for hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities, while fall and winter offer a quieter, more peaceful atmosphere. Regardless of when you choose to visit, you are sure to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of this lovely park.

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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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