Holmes Run Stream Valley Park

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: Mason District Park Larchmont City Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Holmes Run Stream Valley Park is a 250-acre park located in Fairfax County, Virginia.

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Summary

The park is a popular destination for hiking, biking, and picnicking, and offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors.

One of the main reasons to visit Holmes Run Stream Valley Park is its natural beauty. The park is situated along Holmes Run, a tributary of the Potomac River, and features rolling hills, wooded trails, and scenic views of the surrounding landscape. The park is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species.

Some of the specific points of interest in the park include the Cameron Run Regional Park, which features a water park with water slides and pools, as well as miniature golf, batting cages, and other family-friendly attractions. Other notable features of the park include the Holmes Run Trail, a 3.5-mile paved trail that runs through the heart of the park, and the Hidden Oaks Nature Center, which offers educational programs and exhibits about the local environment.

Interesting facts about the park include its history as a former farmland and dairy farm, which has been preserved and transformed into a natural oasis for visitors. The park is also home to a number of historic sites, including the historic Van Buren Bridge, which was built in 1914 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The best time of year to visit Holmes Run Stream Valley Park is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. Summer can be hot and humid, and the park can be crowded with visitors during peak season. Winter can also be a good time to visit, as the park offers cross-country skiing and other winter sports.

Overall, Holmes Run Stream Valley Park is a beautiful and diverse destination for outdoor recreation and nature exploration in northern 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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