Reston's biggest park is 476-acre Lake Fairfax Park. The W&OD Trail is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; the Cross County Trail runs 41.5 miles. Park list.
Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Facts on this page come from the Fairfax County Park Authority, the county’s Hunter Mill District parks list and NOVA Parks.
Reston was planned around open space, and the parks here come from three owners. The Fairfax County Park Authority runs the large public parks, NOVA Parks runs the W&OD Trail, and Reston Association, the homeowners association that covers most of Reston, manages its own paths, lakes, pools and nature programs for its members; see reston.org for its maps and rules.
Who to call
- Fairfax County Park Authority parks: 703-324-7329 (703-FAIRFAX), park closures and updates
- W&OD Trail: NOVA Parks
- Emergency on a trail: 911. Police non-emergency: 703-691-2131
Lake Fairfax Park
The Park Authority calls Lake Fairfax Park, at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, its destination park for western Fairfax. The 476 acres include:
- A 20-acre lake with fishing (a Virginia fishing license is required) and boat rentals. Swimming, sailboats and gas or electric-powered boats are not allowed on the lake.
- The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole, with the Rattlesnake Lazy River, the Tenderfoot Pond tot pool, slides and play features, open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
- A campground, picnic shelters and areas with grills, a playground, athletic fields, trails, an inline skate park, a skatepark and a pump track.
The campground, picnic areas, playground, trails and skatepark are open year-round.
County parks in Reston
The county’s Hunter Mill District parks list names these Reston-area parks:
| Park | Address | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Fairfax Park | 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive | 476 |
| Baron Cameron Park | 11300 Baron Cameron Drive | 60 |
| Wolftrap Stream Valley Park | 58 | |
| Colvin Run Stream Valley Park | 43 | |
| Stratton Woods Park | 2431 Fox Mill Road | 29 |
| South Lakes Drive Park | 11951 South Lakes Drive | 13 |
| Reston North Park | 1225 Stuart Road | 9 |
| Stuart Road Park | 12001 Lake Newport Road | 6 |
| Shaker Woods Park | 1225 Stuart Road |
Just west of Reston, Fred Crabtree Park, 2801 Fox Mill Road, covers 208 acres, and Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon, preserves farm life from the 1920s to the 1950s with live animals, equestrian facilities, a country store and a visitor center.
Trails
W&OD Trail. The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park is a paved trail on the old railroad bed, 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville, and it crosses the middle of Reston. NOVA Parks says it is open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, year-round, and serves more than 2 million users a year. For Reston parking, NOVA Parks directs visitors to a paved lot on Old Reston Avenue off Sunset Hills Road. A trail bridge now carries the W&OD over Wiehle Avenue near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station (Fairfax County).
Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail. The county’s Cross County Trail runs 41.5 miles from Great Falls on the Potomac River south to the Occoquan River and Laurel Hill, passing through stream valleys in and around Reston. Sections have closed in the past for flood damage and sewer work, so check the park updates page before you go.
Trail Buddy. The county maps more than 900 miles of trails, bikeways and sidewalks in its Trail Buddy tool, the easiest way to plan a loop from your door.
Hours and rules
Hours vary by park and season; the Park Authority lists them on its operational hours page, with separate holiday hours. For closures and bad-weather updates, see the park updates page.
Related guides
- Getting around Reston, including biking
- Reston Fourth of July at Lake Fairfax Park
- Fall festivals and pumpkin patches
- Reston farmers markets
- Walking and biking trails
- Dog-friendly Reston
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest park in Reston?
Lake Fairfax Park, 476 acres at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, with a 20-acre fishing lake, the Water Mine water park, campgrounds, trails, a skatepark and athletic fields.
What are the W&OD Trail hours?
5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, year-round, along its full 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville, according to NOVA Parks.
Can you swim or boat on Lake Fairfax?
Swimming, sailboats and gas or electric-powered boats are not allowed on the lake. Fishing needs a Virginia fishing license. The park rents boats, and the Water Mine water park is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
How long is the Cross County Trail?
The Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail runs 41.5 miles from Great Falls on the Potomac River south to the Occoquan River, passing through Reston.
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