703-768-2525
TTY 711
Karen Sheffield,
Manager
Step by Step Instructions to Request a Field Trip Date:
If you are requesting a date less than two weeks in advance, please call the park for availability.
Please note that sites limit the total number of students per day. Larger groups may be accommodated over multiple days.
Huntley Meadows is a 1,554-acre park of meadow, woodland and wetland. The Fairfax County Park Authority park is managed as a wildlife sanctuary for enjoyment, education, and discovery. You may not always see wildlife, but look for their signs along trails and the boardwalk.
Title I schools may qualify for the Norma Hoffman Financial Assistance Program. Click here to learn more.
Download Printable tips for trail etiquette and a successful trip.
Prepare for your visit with a slideshow.
Program begins with a short lesson about beaver life cycle and adaptations. Then take a guided walk through the wetland in search of beaver activity.
Science SOLs: K.2, K.4a-c, K.5, K.6, K.7, K.9c
Learn what a bird is and why they differ from other animals. Program includes a short lesson before a guided walk through the woods and wetland in search of birds.
Science SOLs: K.1A, K.4a-c, K.6, K.7a, c, d
Learn what makes an insect an insect. Program includes a short lesson before a guided walk through the woods and wetland in search of insects.
Science SOLs: K.1a, K.4a-c, K.6, K.7a, c, d, K.9c
Program begins with a short lesson to learn about reptile and amphibian life cycles, habitats, and adaptations. Then take a guided walk through the woods and wetlands in search of snakes, turtles, and frogs.
Science SOLs: K.1a, K.2, K.4a, b, c, K6, K.7a, c, d, K.9c
Learn about trees and their life cycle and how a squirrel uses a tree for food, shelter, and safety. Program includes a short lesson and a guided walk through the woods and wetlands in search of trees, acorns, squirrels, and dreys.
Science SOLs: K.1a, d, K.2, K.4a, b, c, K.6, K.7, K.8a, K.9b, c
Learn what animals live in the water or call water home and what adaptations they and plants have made to allow them to live there. Program includes a short lesson and a guided walk through the wetlands.
Science SOLs: K.5, K.6, K.7, K.11c
Program begins with a historical story or folktale read to the children in a historic house. Next is a related craft and/or activity and a walk around the historic site. This program is presented at Historic Huntley.
6918 Harrison Ln., Alexandria, VA 22306
Social Studies SOLs: K.1, K.4, K.5
Grades 1-6
September to June
Program begins with a short lesson to learn about beaver life cycle, adaptations, and their importance in an environment. Then take a guided walk to the wetland in search of beaver activity.
Science SOLs covered: 1.1 a, b, c, 1.5, 1.7a, 2.4a, 2.5a, b, c, 2.7a, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8b, 3.10, 4.5, 4.9a, b, 5.5 b, c, 6.7 a, d
Grades 1-5
September to June
Learn about bird adaptations, identification, behavior and migration. Program includes a short lesson and a guided walk through the woods and wetland in search of birds.
Science SOLs covered:1.5, 1.7a, 2.4a, 2.5a, b, c, 2.7a, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8b, 3.10, 4.5, 4.9b, 5.5b, c
Grades 1-4
September, October, November, March, April, May, June
The agricultural and rural past of Fairfax County is obscured by modern subdivisions and strip malls. Students will learn to peel back the present and investigate Huntley Meadows Park to discover its farming past.
SOLs covered: Social Studies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9, VS.1a-g, VS.1i, VS.3b, VS.3e, VS.3f, VS.3g, VS.4a, VS.4d, VS.6c, USI.1a-d, USI.1f, USI.1i, USI.5c, USI.8c, USII.1a-d, USII.1f, USII.1i, USII.2b, USII.2c, USII.4b, USII.8e, Science: 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.9
Grades 1-5
September, October, April, May, June
Learn what makes an insect an insect and why they are important to the environment. Then take a guided walk in search of insects.
Science SOLs covered: 1.5, 2.4a, 2.5a, b & c, 3.4, 3.5a, c, 3.8b, 4.5, 4.9b, 5.5b, c
Grades 1-4
September, October, November, March, April, May, June
The Taux (Dogue) made the Hybla Valley home, and the land that is Huntley Meadows offered a wealth of resources. While hiking through the park, students see how the Dogue and other Powhatans used the land, plants, and animals to survive.
SOLs covered: VS.2d,e&f, Science: 2.4a, 2.5a, b, c, 2.6, 2.7a, Social Studies: 2.2, 2.4c & d
SOLs covered: Social Studies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, VS.1a-g, VS.1i, VS.2b-d, VS.2e, VS.2f, USI.1a-d, USI.1f, USI.1i, USI.3a, USI.3c, Science: 2.4 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.9
Grades 1-5
September, April, May, June
Investigate vertebrate classification and adaptations. Program includes a short lesson and a guided walk through the woods and wetland in search of vertebrates.
Science SOLs covered: 1.5b, c, 2.4a, 3.4, 3.8b, 4.5a, e, f, 4.9b, 5.5b, c
Grades 1-6
September to June
Explore the importance of wetlands to wildlife and you. Program includes a short lesson and a guided wetland walk.
Science SOLs covered:1.1a, b, c, f, g, h, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5a, b, c, 2.7, 2.8, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 4.4d, 4.5, 4.9a, b, 5.5c, 5.7f, g, 6.5c, e, f, 6.7a, b, c, d, e, f, 6.9
Grades 4-6
September, October, April, May, June
This program is presented at Historic Huntley, 6918 Harrison Ln., Alexandria, VA 22306
Perched high on a hill, Historic Huntley made the ideal summer retreat for Thomson Francis Mason and his family. Students tour the main house and surrounding buildings to learn about the life of an elite Northern Virginia family. Explore the house and outbuildings to see what mid-19th century life was like.
SOLs - VS.2a-c, VS.4e, VS.6b&c, USI.2d, Math 4.12a,b
Grades 4-6
September, October, April, May, June
This program is presented at Historic Huntley, 6918 Harrison Ln., Alexandria, VA 22306
Not only was Huntley a summer villa, but it also was a working farm tended by 20 enslaved black Virginians, including a young man named Thomas. Students explore the life of Thomas and his fellow slaves by touring the historic property while investigating replica artifacts, historic documents, and images.
SOLs - VS.4a, VS.4e
What animals come out at night? Learn what animals are active in nature while we sleep. Program includes a lesson using specimens, an activity, and a craft or game.
Science SOLs: K.1a, K.2, K.4b, c, K.6, K.7a, c, d,
Program begins with an introduction to learn about beaver life cycle and adaptations. That's followed by an activity and craft or game.
Science SOLs: K.2, K.4a-c, K.5, K.6, K.7, K.9c
Learn what a bird is and why they differ from other animals. Program includes a lesson using specimens, an activity, and a craft or game.
Science SOLs: K.1A, K.4a-c, K.6, K.7a, c, d,
Learn what makes an insect an insect. Program includes a lesson using specimens, an activity, and a craft or game.
Science SOLs: K.1a, K.4a-c, K.6, K.7a, c, d, K.9c
Learn about owl adaptations, identification, behaviors, and environmental importance. Program includes a lesson using specimens, an activity, and a craft or game.
Science SOLs: K.1A, K.4a, b, c, K.6, K.7a, c, d
Program begins with an introduction to learn about reptile and amphibian life cycles, habitats, and adaptations using specimens. That's followed by an activity and craft or game.
Science SOLs: K.1a, K.2, K.4a, b, c, K6, K.7a, c, d, K.9c
Learn about trees and how a squirrel's interaction is important to their life cycle. Program includes a lesson using specimens, an activity, and a craft or game.
Science SOLs: K.1a, d, K.2, K.4a, b, c, K.6, K.7, K.8a, K.9b, c
Learn what animals live in the water or call water home and what adaptations they and plants have made to allow them to live there. Program includes a lesson using specimens, an activity, and a craft or game.
Science SOLs: K.5, K.6, K.7, K.11c
Grades 1-6
Program includes a lesson, using specimens, about beaver life cycle, adaptations, and their importance in an environment, followed by an activity.
Science SOLs covered: 1.1a, b, c, 1.5, 1.7a, 2.4a, 2.5a, b, c, 2.7a, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8b, 3.10, 4.5, 4.9a, b, 5.5b, c, 6.7a, d
Grades 1-5
Learn about bird adaptations, identification, behavior, and migration. Program includes a lesson using specimens and an activity.
Science SOLs covered:1.5, 1.7a, 2.4a, 2.5a, b, c, 2.7a, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8b, 3.10, 4.5, 4.9b, 5.5b, c
Grades 1-5
When we go for a walk, we don't always see animals, but we can learn a lot from the clues they leave behind. Program includes a lesson using specimens and an activity.
Science SOLs covered: 1.1, 1.5, 2.1a-d, j, k, 2.4a, 2.5a, b, c, 3.1a, b, j, k, 3.4, 3.5, 3.10a, 4.1a, b, e, 4.5, 4.9b, 5.1a&I, 5.5b, c
Grades 1-4
The agricultural and rural past of Fairfax County is obscured by modern subdivisions and strip malls. By using maps, images, documents, and artifacts, students learn to peel back the present and investigate Huntley Meadows Park to discover its farming past.
SOLs covered: Social Studies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9, VS.1a-g, VS.1i, VS.3b, VS.3e, VS.3f, VS.3g, VS.4a, VS.4d, VS.6c, USI.1a-d, USI.1f, USI.1i, USI.5c, USI.8c, USII.1a-d, USII.1f, USII.1i, USII.2b, USII.2c, USII.4b, USII.8e, Science: 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.9
Grades 1-5
Learn what makes an insect an insect and why they are so important to the environment during a lesson using specimens followed by an activity.
Science SOLs covered: 1.5, 2.4a, 2.5a, b, c, 3.4, 3.5a, c, 3.8b, 4.5, 4.9b, 5.5b, c
Grades 1-5
Learn what happens outside after dark. While many creatures are getting ready to rest, the animals on the night shift are just getting started. Program includes a lesson using specimens and an activity.
Science SOLs covered: 1.5, 1.7a, b, 2.4a, 2.5a-c, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8a & b, 3.10a, 4.5, 4.9b, 5.5b,c
Grades 1-4
Fall, Winter, and Spring
The Taux (Dogue) made the Hybla Valley home, and the land that is Huntley Meadows offered a wealth of resources. Students learn how the Dogue and other Powhatans used the land, plants, and animals to survive.
SOLs covered: VS.2d,e&f, Science: 2.4a, 2.5a, b, c, 2.6, 2.7a, Social Studies: 2.2, 2.4c & d
SOLs covered: Social Studies: 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, VS.1a-g, VS.1i, VS.2b-d, VS.2e, VS.2f, USI.1a-d, USI.1f, USI.1i, USI.3a, USI.3c, Science: 2.4 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.9
Grades 1-5
Investigate vertebrate classification and adaptations. Program includes a lesson using specimens and an activity. Science SOLs covered: 1.5b, c, 2.4a, 3.4, 3.8b, 4.5a, e, f, 4.9b, 5.5b, c
Grades 1-6
Explore the importance of wetlands to wildlife and you. Program includes a lesson using specimens and an activity.
Science SOLs covered:1.1a, b, c, f, g, h, 1.8, 2.4, 2.5a, b, c, 2.7, 2.8, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 4.4d, 4.5, 4.9a, b, 5.5c, 5.7f, g, 6.5c,e, f, 6.7a, b, c, d, e, f, 6.9
Fairfax County:
There are no picnic facilities in the park, however there is a rentable shelter. If you plan a snack or lunch, please bring trash bags and clean up following your meal. There is a dumpster on the service road behind the Norma Hoffman Visitor Center.
Due to known issues with GPS units, please use the street address if you are following GPS to the park.
Huntley Meadows has three entrances. The main entrance is at 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria VA 22306. There is a parking lot, and during Visitor Center open hours there is access to restrooms, an exhibit area, and staff naturalists. There is a small parking area at 6901 South Kings Highway, Alexandria, Va., that leads to a paved, one-mile woodland hike-bike trail. Historic Huntley is at 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria Va.
