gravelly point park

This park is just off the George Washinton Parkway (and you can ONLY access it from the northbound lanes - if you're heading south, exit at Reagan and then get back on heading GWP North and it will be the first exit). Most people come here for one of two reasons: park and watch the planes landing and taking off at Reagan, which is just across an inlet (and in fact, some folks make a day of this - bringing picnic lunches, chairs, blankets and speding hours here). The other key crowd it attracts is those who come to exercise - folks park here (it can get VERY crowded on sunny summer days) and then (usually) head north walking, running, biking, skating, skateboarding or whatever, with the Potomac to your left and a string of monuments to admire from across the river, among them the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The round trip from here to Memorial Bridge is a tad over 3 miles, which makes for a good run or walk.

This is a simple park with lots of running space on the shore of the Potomac river between Crystal City and Reagan National Airport. Facilities are minimal (a few picnic tables and porta potties), but the big draw here is the airplanes. They fly super close and it's fun to go watch them. Selfies with an airplane are popular here.

Nice park on the North side of Reagan airport; plenty of parking, fields to play in and the Mount Vernon trail passes through the park.

But it's the perfect place to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July! It's fun to watch the airplanes take off and land at nearby Reagan National airport. Downside is that the facilities aren't very good.

We love this park - it's been a favorite of mine for years and now my family is hooked and we hook others all the time. So many people playing frisbees, riding bikes, jogging, kicking a soccer ball, fishing, climbing rocks, picnics, blankets, folding chairs...it's great. Right at the end of the runway for Reagan Airport. It's a short runway so you don't get the biggest jets but when the wind is right and they're landing right over your head to touch down right across the water to the end of the runway, they're plenty big! So fun at night watching the planes come in and take back off. The one drawback is there's only one way into the park so if you're approaching from the north you have to swing into the airport and back out to get to it but small price to pay to be headed in the right direction (for me!) when you're leaving.

Go here and watch the airplanes landing at Reagan. They are directly over your head, and loud and cool. Kids will love it. There is also a nice bike and hiking trail, and its right on the river. There are soccer fields, and other play areas. Great place for a picnic.

I've been running straight through Gravely Point "Park" without stopping for 5 years. It is situated along the Mt. Vernon trail, just a couple miles from Memorial Bridge to the North and Old Town Alexandria to the South. Sure, it has fields, but I wouldn't call it a park. It's an ok place to watch planes take off, but that said, its not really a peaceful place to hang out or have a picnic, being that there are jumbo jets flying overhead every 15 seconds. It'd be a good spot to meet for a run, if you can get their early; there is a big parking lot, but it fills up quickly. The biggest downfall of this place is that there are NO WATER fountains! Many a-long-run I've desperately wished that this spot had water, and it seems like it should, esp being a 'park,' and all, but there are no facilities to speak of, except a few port-a-potties, conveniently (and grossly) situated right next to the trail. Those port-a-potties could either use a little more frequent cleaning, a move to a less busy spot, or perhaps, just a permanent move out of here. They're yucky.Don't put Gravely Point on your tourist agenda unless you really love planes and Don's Jons.

Because it was such a beautiful day on Veterans Day we decided to enjoy the great outdoors. Got some cupcakes from DC Cupcakes and the grandsons could eat them in the park and watch the planes land. Our son is a pilot so we love watching the planes. Great park along the Potomac and watch the planes landing.

Not the best as far as beauty, but it's VERY cool to watch the planes go in and out of DCA! I love to bring people here, and when I lived in Old Town, I liked to run or bike here. I recommend a visit during flying hours. =)

Hidden Gem in DC!! Access is a bit convoluted but it is worth it!! I would go back over and over again. Perfect for family picnics, kids or just a solo walk, jog or bike ride. By far my favorite park in DC area.

Gravelly Point park is only accessible from the northbound George Washington Parkway. It was not signed on the south side so we thought we had missed it. There are some picnic benches and when we were there some locals visiting to watch the planes and some families as well. The park is at the end of the runway and when we were there the planes were only taking off in the direction of the park and not landing in that direction. There is a pond like area that separates the park from end of the runway. During the 30 minutes we were there we saw 6 planes take off. Each rose at different heights with some closer to the ground than others. None seemed to come as close as some of the photos I had seen. If you like planes - then this is a must see and a bit of an unusual experience.

This is the best place in Washington to watch airplanes take off and land. It is great any time of the day or night. You can have a picnic or relax under the takeoff or approach pattern from National Airport. Bring a blanket and food then lay back and watch the planes. Depending on the wind they may land over your head or takeoff. Later night is very cool with the lights on the planes. Fun time for all. Bring your ear plugs in your sensitive.

Stopped by here today in the middle of my run up the Potomac. Lots of folks were there playing frisbee and a few Professional Whiffleball League games were going. There were several portalets and parking. Right on the Potomac river and directly under the Reagan National flight path. Wow!

Even for people that live in the area, this is a hidden gem. Parking is available off of the GW Parkway (going Northbound only). Lots of room to walk around and watch the planes take off from nearby National Airport. Depending on which way the wind is blowing, the planes will be either landing or taking off overhead. Watching them land is my favorite - due to restricted airspace around DC, planes have to take some crazy turns when they land in this direction at National.Take an afternoon, bring a camera and a blanket, and enjoy the experience!

We stop by here every time we visit the area. Such a small thrill to watch the giant planes take off an land just feet above your head.