703-324-8700
TTY 711
Jai Cole,
Executive Director
Climb aboard for a wagon ride at a Fairfax County park. There are daily rides at Frying Pan Farm Park. Other sites conduct rides with nature, history or holiday themes. Call ahead to assure ADA arrangements.
Ellanor C. Lawrence Park schedules wagon rides around themes such as Rocky Run Stream Valley and campfires. Riders meet at Cabell's Mill and take a brisk journey through the Rocky Run Stream Valley. You'll learn about local and natural history, then cap the trip with a warm campfire and a sweet treat. October rides are designed around spooky themes of the season.
Frying Pan Farm Park has regular daily rides and specially scheduled themed rides. The daily ride schedule is on Frying Pan’s web page. Birthday party and private wagon rides can be arranged. Rides also take place during Christmas at the Farm, one of the park's major annual events when the farm buzzes with blacksmith demonstrations, photos with Santa, children's holiday shopping, live music, pony rides, tours and farm animal visits.
Laurel Hill Park occasionally features wagon rides that highlight the natural resources of the park as well as the historic Lorton Prison buildings. The Slaughter House Ride is a night time wagon ride to the lesser known grounds of the old Lorton Prison, an area called the Slaughter House. You'll learn about prison history and what happens when nature takes over abandoned buildings. For information, call Hidden Pond Nature Center at 703-451-9588.
Riverbend Park is a natural gem along the Potomac River with a variety of themed wagon rides. Poohsticks Bridge is a journey through the woods to Poohsticks Bridge. Great Parks in Great Falls is a chance to explore nature and history on a 45-minute wagon ride that continues at Colvin Run Mill Historic Site. Journey to the Pond explores frogs, tadpoles and water critters that abound in the destination pond. Birds, Butterflies and Blossoms is a scavenger hunt through the park's meadow.