Difficult Run Stream Val Park

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: Gabrielson Gardens City Park Fox Hunters City Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Difficult Run Stream Valley Park is a picturesque park located in Northern Virginia.

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Summary

The park covers over 700 acres and is a popular destination for visitors seeking outdoor activities and nature. Some of the main reasons to visit Difficult Run Stream Valley Park include hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking, and birdwatching.

One of the main points of interest in the park is the Difficult Run Stream, which runs through the park and provides a beautiful backdrop for visitors. The park also features a variety of trails, including the 4-mile Difficult Run Trail, which offers stunning views of the stream and surrounding forest.

Other interesting areas within the park include the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, which feature over 100 acres of beautiful gardens, and the Colvin Run Mill, which is a historic mill that dates back to the early 19th century.

In terms of interesting facts, the Difficult Run Stream Valley Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds of prey. The park also features several historic sites, including the ruins of an old cabin and the remains of an old mill.

The best time of year to visit Difficult Run Stream Valley Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most beautiful. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for visitors in all seasons.

Overall, Difficult Run Stream Valley Park is a beautiful and peaceful destination that offers a range of outdoor activities and natural wonders.

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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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