Potomac River Gravelly Point Park

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: West Potomac Park Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Potomac River Gravelly Point Park is a popular destination in Virginia for locals and tourists alike.

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Summary

The park is located just outside of Washington, D.C. and offers stunning views of the Potomac River and the city skyline. There are several good reasons to visit Gravelly Point Park, including the opportunity to watch planes take off and land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which is located adjacent to the park. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking, biking, and jogging along the park's trails.

In addition to the planes and outdoor activities, there are several specific points of interest to see at Gravelly Point Park. The park is home to a number of historical markers and monuments, including a marker commemorating the completion of the Mount Vernon Trail in 1973. Visitors can also see several military memorials, including the Air Force Memorial and the Pentagon Memorial.

Interesting facts about the park include its location on what was once a major shipping channel for goods transported up and down the Potomac River. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons.

The best time of year to visit Potomac River Gravelly Point Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. Visitors should also keep in mind that the park can become very congested during peak travel times, such as holidays and weekends. Despite this, Gravelly Point Park remains a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Virginia and Washington, D.C. area.

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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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