Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2025 June)
In 2019, the U.S. Senate designated June as “Great Outdoors Month.” This was done to encourage people to go outside and reap the social and health benefits that come with spending time in nature. There are plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors in the Fairfax area, regardless of your activity level. Here are a few to consider.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching has become increasingly popular in recent years. In addition to getting people outdoors, this hobby offers many other benefits. Birdwatching allows people to meet and socialize with fellow birdwatchers, exercise their brains by learning about a new subject, improve their observational skills, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Some great places to birdwatch in our area include:
- Burke Lake Park – The lake is large enough for loons to take flight. Located at 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Learn more at FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/burke-lake.
- Elizabeth Hartwell National Wildlife Refuge – Created to protect essential bald eagle nesting, feeding, and roosting habitats. The area also has a rookery of more than 1,200 great blue heron nests. Located at High Point, Lorton. Learn more at fws.gov/refuge/elizabeth-hartwell-mason-neck.
- Ellanor C. Lawrence Park – More than 130 bird species have been documented at the park, whose habitats include forests, streams, meadows, and a pond. The Visitor Center & Amphitheater is located at 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. Learn more at FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/eclawrence.
- Fort Ward Park – Ninety bird species have been observed, including the tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, Lincoln’s sparrow, eastern towhee, and yellow-rumped warbler. Located at 4301 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria. Learn more at alexandriava.gov/FortWard.
- Huntley Meadows Park – More than 200 bird species have been identified in the wetlands of Huntley Meadows Park. Learn more at FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows. The Friends of Huntley Meadows Park sponsors a Monday morning birdwalk that takes place every Monday at 7 a.m. April-September and 8 a.m. October-March. Following the walk, members gather at the nearby Denny's for breakfast and to compile a list of the birds they observed. Birders meet in the parking lot at the park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria. All are welcome.
- Lake Accotink Park – This 476-acre park has secret marshes that draw waterfowl. Located at 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. Learn more at FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/lake-accotink.
- Mason Neck State Park – Spot American bald eagles while hiking the trails or from a canoe or kayak. Located at 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Learn more at dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/mason-neck.
- Riverbend Park – This park offers a free program called “Birding at the Bend,” where Robin Duska leads a guided birding walk, held on the first and third Fridays of each month, April 4-October 17, 8-11 a.m. Birders meet at the Nature Center parking lot, 8814 Jeffery Road, Great Falls. Learn more at FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/riverbend.
Birdwatchers can connect with fellow birdwatching enthusiasts through these organizations:
- Northern Virginia Bird Club is a nonprofit organization with nearly 600 members that offers more than 100 bird walks each year. Led by volunteer members, the walks are held at local, regional, state and national parks throughout northern Virginia, and occasionally even further away. The membership fee is $10/year for individuals and $15/year for families. Learn more at nvabc.org.
- Northern Virginia Bird Alliance is a chapter of the National Audubon Society. Membership is $20 and includes discounts on NVBA classes and programs, birding and community events, and a full year of Audubon magazine. Learn more at nvbirdalliance.org.
Archery
Archery is a fun sport that may improve hand-eye coordination, upper body strength, balance, hand and finger flexibility, and focus. In Fairfax County, classes are offered by these organizations:
- Fairfax County Park Authority offers Archery I and Archery II for ages 13 to adult. Search ParkTakes online at FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/parktakes for available classes, fees and locations.
- Archery Academy LLC teaches archery classes for all skill levels. Instructors from Northern Virginia Archers are USA Archery trained and certified. All equipment is provided. Classes are held at Northern Virginia Archers, Fountainhead Regional Park, 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station. Learn more and sign up at archeryacademyllc.com/classes.
Fishing
Fishing is a fun and relaxing activity and a great way to spend time outdoors. People 16 and older must have a fishing license, which can be purchased at Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, or by visiting the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources at dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/licenses. These Fairfax County Parks offer opportunities to fish from shore, a boat or kayak:
- Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, 703-323-6600
- Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, 703-631-0013
- Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, 703-569-3464
- Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston, 703-471-5414
- Lakeside Park, 5216 Pommeroy Drive, Fairfax
- Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, 703-759-9018
- Royal Lake, 5344 Gainsborough Drive, Fairfax
Burke Lake Park, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, and Lake Fairfax Park all have Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant fishing piers. Free rental fishing gear is available during normal operating hours at these locations – Burke Lake Park, Lake Accotink Park, Lake Fairfax Park, and Riverbend Park. Some rules apply. There is a nominal fee for worms and bait. Learn more about fishing in Fairfax County Parks at FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/fishing.
Orienteering
Orienteering is the sport of navigating with a map and compass. The object is to find a series of points shown on a map, choosing routes – both on and off trail – that will help you find all the points and get back to the finish in the shortest amount of time.
- Burke Lake Park has three orienteering courses – beginner, intermediate and advanced. You can pick up maps for orienteering from the Information Center. Learn more at FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/burke-lake/on-your-own.
- Lake Fairfax Park offers orienteering courses, but not all points are accessible due to ongoing construction. Visit the Information Center to learn about their courses.
- Fountainhead Regional Park offers several orienteering courses, from beginner to advanced. Learn more and download course maps at novaparks.com/parks/fountainhead-regional-park/things-to-do/orienteering-course.
There are organizations where you can connect with other orienteering enthusiasts, try new courses, and compete, including:
- Quantico Orienteering Club, a nonprofit organization, hosts orienteering events each week for teams or individuals at various locations. They offer free beginner instruction at all of their public events for people who want to learn more about the sport. Learn more at qocweb.org.
- The Northern Virginia Senior Olympics offers adults 50 and older the opportunity to compete in beginner and advanced orienteering. Register July 7-August 29 for the 2025 games, which will take place September 13-30. Learn more at nvso.us.
No matter what activity you choose, make time to go outside and enjoy all the benefits of the great outdoors.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).