Algonkian Regional Park
47001 Fairway Drive
Sterling, Virginia (map it)
(703) 450‑4655
Cost: Free to enter, but some activities have fees
Ages: all
Drinking Fountain: not by the boat ramp, and I have not explored enough to find others.
Restroom: port-o-potty near the boat ramp and group picnic areas leaves much to be desired. We have not assessed the others.
Parking: Easy
Stroller-friendly: some areas, but I recommend a jogger or off-road stroller
Our experiences
Summer ’07: This summer we have spent more time paddling at Algonkian. There’s an easy ramp for put-in and also the option to hang out onshore and pick up litter, try to catch fish, and throw rocks in water. I generally have no problem paddling upstream a bit to go around the islands right there. Even if the wind picks up it is nice to just paddle upstream along the south shore of the river with the little ones.
Winter ’07: Yesterday the kids and I threw snowballs into the Potomac at As we drove in the kids (and the dog) squealed with delight at the sight of deer everywhere. We headed towards the boat ramp where we kayak and canoe in the summer, and parked by the soccer field. We did not see any other kids, but did see several folks eating lunch in parked cars and a photographer lugging around a lot of equipment. Both enjoyed throwing snowballs into the river until my little one walked right in — burr, cold little feet! After stopping by the car for a change and a snack we were off for a hike — we tried a trail we’d never found time to explore during our summer boating visits and found that we were very glad to be wearing non-cotton socks and we made our way through snow-melt and mud. We saw animal tracks in the snow, a few birds over the water, and my son scored a lost golf ball which is currently sitting in my dishwasher. I try to report back on how golf balls fair in dishwashers once the cycle is finished…
Other reviews/Feedback from others: There is also a golf course here which is not an area I am qualified to comment on.
