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Welcome to Huntley Meadows Park Huntley Meadows Park & Visitor Center 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria 703-768-2525 Nestled in Fairfax County's Hybla Valley, Huntley Meadows Park is a rich, natural island in the suburban sea of Northern Virginia. Its 1,425 acres harbor majestic forests, wildflower-speckled meadows and vast wetlands bursting with life. Some of the best wildlife watching in the Washington metropolitan area is enjoyed here. From the ½ mile wetland boardwalk trail and observation tower, people have excellent views of beavers, frogs, dragonflies and herons. Huntley Meadows is well known as a prime birding spot, with over 200 species identified in the park. Whether you come to hike, wildlife watch or simply to relax, Huntley Meadows Park will provide you with a premiere nature experience. VISITOR CENTER HOURS: January 3 through February 28 -- 9-2 M-F closed Tuesdays, noon-5 Sat., Sun. and holidays March 1 through April 17 -- 9-5 M-F closed Tuesdays, noon-5 Sat., Sun. and holidays April 18 through June 30 -- 9-5 everyday except closed Tuesdays, noon-5 on holidays July 1 through August 31 -- 9-5 M-F closed Tuesdays, 9-1 Sat., Sun. and holidays September 1 through October 31 -- 9-5 everyday except closed Tuesdays, noon-5 on holidays November 1 through December 31 -- 9-5 M-F closed Tuesdays, noon -5 on Sat.,Sun. and holidays Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day Grounds Open dawn to dusk Wetlands: A Natural Treasure Huntley Meadows lies in a wet lowland that was carved out by an ancient meander of the Potomac River. The resulting freshwater wetland is one of the rarest habitats left in Fairfax County. Acre for acre, a healthy wetland supports more life than almost any other habitat. Wetlands also purify polluted waters and control the destructive power of floods and storms. History In colonial times, this land was part of the extensive plantation holdings of George Mason IV. Thomson Mason, a grandson of George Mason, built a home on the property in 1825. The house, now known as Historic Huntley, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Virginia Landmarks Register, and the Fairfax County Historic House Inventory. An exhibit of Historic Huntley is available online. Mason family ownership lasted into the early 1900s, with sections of the land being sold for family farms. In the late 1920s, entrepreneur Henry Woodhouse reassembled the parcels, purchasing 1500 acres from 10 landowners. He dreamed of transforming Hybla Valley's dairy farms into a dirigible base. After he lost nearly all of the property, the federal government acquired the land. During the 1940s, the Bureau of Public Roads tested asphalt road surfaces. The Virginia National Guard's Battery D, 125th Gun Battalion provided antiaircraft protection for the nation's capital during the 1950s. Last, the Navy conducted highly classified radio communication research before declaring the land surplus around 1970. Legacy of Parks In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed papers authorizing the donation of 1,261 acres to the citizens of Fairfax County, "exclusively for public park or public recreation purposes in perpetuity." Under the Federal Legacy of Parks Program, the County paid only one dollar for the land. In 1992 the Fairfax County Park Authority, with financial assistance from Ducks Unlimited, purchased an additional 165 acres of adjacent wetland and upland. Friends Friends of Huntley Meadows Park is a group of over 400 citizens devoted to preserving and protecting Huntley Meadows Park. Support the park by joining this award-winning volunteer organization. For membership information, call the park or visit them online. Facilities Visitor Center with exhibits, classroom and auditorium ½ mile boardwalk wetland trail Wildlife Observation Platforms 2 mile interpretive trail system Hike-Bike Trail