Barcroft Park

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: Fort Barnard Park Long Branch Nature Center

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Barcroft Park is a popular outdoor recreation area located in Arlington County, Virginia.

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Summary

This 65-acre park offers a range of amenities and activities that make it an attractive destination for visitors of all ages.

Some good reasons to visit Barcroft Park include its beautiful natural setting, various sports facilities, and numerous trails for hiking and biking. The park also features a playground, picnic areas, and a large pond for fishing and boating.

One of the main points of interest in Barcroft Park is the Barcroft Mansion, a historic building that dates back to the early 1900s. The mansion now serves as a community center and event space, and is a popular spot for weddings and other special occasions.

Another interesting feature of Barcroft Park is the Winkler Botanical Preserve, a 12-acre area that showcases a variety of native plants and wildlife. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the preserve and learn about the local flora and fauna.

If you visit Barcroft Park in the fall, you'll be treated to a spectacular display of autumn foliage. The park's trees turn brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange, making it a great spot for a scenic hike or drive.

Overall, Barcroft Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors in Virginia. With its wide range of activities and amenities, there's something for everyone to enjoy at this beautiful 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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