Colvin Run Stream Valley Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Colvin Run Stream Valley Park is a 45-acre park located in Fairfax County, Virginia.


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Summary

The park offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and picnicking. The park is known for its scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts.

One of the main points of interest in Colvin Run Stream Valley Park is the Colvin Run Mill, a historic 19th-century mill that has been restored and is now open to the public for tours. Visitors can learn about the history of the mill and how it played an important role in the local community.

The park also features several hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The trails range in difficulty and length, making them suitable for hikers of all skill levels. Additionally, Colvin Run Stream offers a prime location for fishing, with a variety of fish species present in the water.

One interesting fact about Colvin Run Stream Valley Park is that it was once used as a campsite by Civil War soldiers. Today, visitors can still find remnants of the soldiers' campfires and other artifacts from the era.

The best time to visit Colvin Run Stream Valley Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities and events for visitors to enjoy in every season. Overall, Colvin Run Stream Valley Park 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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