Southwest Waterfront Park

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: M L King Recreation Center Lansburgh Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Southwest Waterfront Park, located in Washington, D.C., is not in the state of Virginia, but instead in the District of Columbia.

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Summary

Here is a summary of Southwest Waterfront Park, including good reasons to visit, specific points of interest, interesting facts, and the best time of year to visit:

Southwest Waterfront Park is a scenic park located along the Potomac River in the Southwest neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It offers a variety of attractions and activities that make it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

Good reasons to visit Southwest Waterfront Park include its picturesque waterfront location, peaceful atmosphere, and various recreational opportunities. The park provides stunning views of the Potomac River, including the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and the cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin.

Specific points of interest within the park include the Waterfront Park Fountain, a refreshing water feature perfect for kids to cool off on hot summer days. The park also features ample green spaces for picnics, walking trails, and a marina where you can rent paddleboards, kayaks, or take a boat tour along the river.

Interesting facts about Southwest Waterfront Park include its recent redevelopment, which transformed the area into an inviting public space, featuring beautiful landscaping, seating areas, and public art installations. The park is part of The Wharf, a vibrant mixed-use development offering dining, shopping, entertainment, and residential spaces.

The best time of year to visit Southwest Waterfront Park is during the spring and summer months when the park is in full bloom, and the weather is pleasant. The park also hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including concerts, art exhibits, and cultural celebrations.

To ensure accuracy, it is recommended to verify this information across multiple independent sources, such as official park websites, tourist guides, and reputable travel websites.

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SOUTHWEST WATERFRONT PARK

Parks • Parks • Recreation

December 5, 2025

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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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