703-324-8700
TTY 711
Jai Cole,
Executive Director
Several Fairfax County Park Authority parks offer boating opportunities. Here’s a site-by-site summary of opportunities and restrictions with links to further information.
There are two boat launch areas on the 218-acre lake. Electric motors are allowed. Gas motors are not. Kayaks are prohibited unless being used for fishing. There is a 24-hour, state-owned launching area at the dam end of the lake for fishing boats only. There is a boat launch with a marina on the upper end of the lake. Inflated boats with at least three air chambers are permitted. Rowboat, fishing kayak and canoe rentals are available, and the lake has a tour boat. Pets are not allowed on rental or tour boats.
Lake Accotink has canoe, kayak and pedal boat rentals and tour boat rides. There is a launch ramp and marina. Gas motors are prohibited. The park occasionally offers kayaking classes and tours. Lake Accotink also has an annual cardboard regatta in early summer.
This 18-acre lake has a marina with pedal boat rentals and a lake tour boat. There is a launch ramp for personal boats. No sailboats, paddleboards or motor-powered boats are allowed. Fishing from personal boats or rental boats is not permitted. Inflated boats with at least three separate air chambers are allowed.
Canoe, kayak and row boat rentals, subject to Potomac River conditions. No pets on boats. There’s a restricted boating area downstream from the park. Kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard tours available. Kayak and canoe merit badge programs are available. A year-round boat ramp is available during open park hours pending weather and river conditions. This area of the river has a lot of shallow, rocky stretches. Riverbend posts important information online about boating on the Potomac River.
There are a handful of parks with small lakes. Boating is allowed, but there are no public launch ramps. Boaters have to carry their canoe or kayak to the water. No gas motors are permitted.