Alexandria's parks run from Jones Point and Windmill Hill on the Potomac to Dora Kelley Nature Park in the West End, linked by the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Alexandria’s Park Services, Find a Park, trails and dog parks pages and individual park pages, and the National Park Service’s Mount Vernon Trail page.

Alexandria’s parks are run by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA), and the city lists more than 80 of them, from pocket parks to Civil War earthworks. The best known sit on the Potomac River waterfront in Old Town, strung together by the National Park Service’s Mount Vernon Trail. Most city parks are open sunrise to sunset. To report a park problem, call Alex311 at 311 or 703-746-4311; in an emergency, call 911.

Who to call

  • Park problems, fallen trees, broken equipment: Alex311, 311 or 703-746-4311
  • Shelter and field rentals: the city’s park rentals and permits page
  • Map of every park, trail and amenity: the city’s ParkLink map

Parks worth knowing

Park Address Hours What is there
Jones Point Park 1 Jones Point Drive 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Waterfront, fishing, playground, fields, trail, restrooms, historic site
Windmill Hill Park 501 S. Union St. Sunrise to sunset Waterfront, playground, volleyball, off-leash dog area
Fort Ward Park and Historic Site 4301 W. Braddock Road Sunrise to sunset Civil War fort and museum, amphitheater, picnic shelter, playground
Dora Kelley Nature Park 5750 Sanger Ave. Dawn to dusk Woods, stream, trails, Buddie Ford Nature Center
Ben Brenman Park 4800 Brenman Park Drive Sunrise to sunset Amphitheater, fenced dog area, shelters, farmers market
Potomac Yard Park 2501 Potomac Ave. Sunrise to sunset; lit courts and promenade to 10 p.m. Fountain, four pickleball and two tennis courts, basketball
Four Mile Run Park 3700 Commonwealth Ave. and 4131 Mount Vernon Ave. Sunrise to sunset Fields, playground, trail, off-leash dog area
Chinquapin Park 3210 King St. Dawn to dusk Five pickleball and four tennis courts, community garden, indoor pool at the recreation center

Along the Old Town waterfront, from north to south, are Rivergate, Oronoco Bay, Founders, Waterfront, Point Lumley, Windmill Hill and Jones Point parks. Oronoco Bay Park hosts the city’s July birthday fireworks; see our fireworks guide.

Dora Kelley Nature Park is one of the largest parks in the city. Its main entrance is at Beauregard and Morgan streets, and the Buddie Ford Nature Center inside it shows live animals and runs nature classes and walks led by the park naturalist.

Fort Ward Park has a Civil War fort and a museum on site. See our history and landmarks guide.

Trails

  • Mount Vernon Trail: an 18-mile paved trail for walking and biking from George Washington’s Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island, run by the National Park Service. In Old Town it passes Oronoco Bay Park on the waterfront.
  • Four Mile Run trail: the bike trail through Four Mile Run Park links to Arlington’s path to the west and the trail toward Washington to the north.
  • West End: walking trails run through Dora Kelley Nature Park, and the city is building a new multi-use trail along North Beauregard Street; see our road construction page.

The city’s trails page and ParkLink map show every route.

Dog parks and off-leash areas

Alexandria has two kinds of off-leash space:

  • Fenced dog parks, for owners who want a secure area. Among them are the fenced area at Ben Brenman Park and the Carlyle, Duke Street and Monroe Avenue dog parks. Children under 16 must be with an adult inside.
  • Unfenced dog exercise areas, marked by short posts called bollards, including areas at Four Mile Run Park and Windmill Hill Park.

The rules: dog areas are open sunrise to sunset unless posted; dogs must be leashed coming in and out; every handler carries a leash; and dogs must be licensed, vaccinated and wearing current tags. Everywhere else in city parks, dogs stay on a leash. The interactive dog park map and the city’s dog park guide (PDF) list every site.

Seasonal notes

  • Leaves: the city’s leaf collection runs late October through January; see our trash and recycling guide.
  • Fall events: recreation centers host Halloween parties Oct. 30; see things to do this month.
  • Court closures: the city posts temporary closures for resurfacing on each park’s page.

What this means for you

  • For a waterfront walk, start at Founders Park and follow the river south to Jones Point.
  • Want woods and wildlife? Try Dora Kelley Nature Park in the West End.
  • Bring a leash even to the dog parks; the rules require one in hand.

Related guides: farmers markets, getting around Alexandria and fall festivals and pumpkin patches.

Frequently asked questions

What are the hours for Alexandria city parks?

Most parks are open sunrise to sunset. Jones Point Park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the lit promenade and courts at Potomac Yard Park stay open until 10 p.m.

Where are the dog parks in Alexandria?

The city has fenced dog parks, including Ben Brenman Park and the Carlyle, Duke Street and Monroe Avenue dog parks, plus unfenced off-leash areas such as Four Mile Run Park and Windmill Hill Park. Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated.

How long is the Mount Vernon Trail?

The Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile paved trail from George Washington’s Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island, run by the National Park Service. It passes through Old Town Alexandria along the waterfront.

Do dogs have to be on a leash in Alexandria parks?

Yes, outside the marked dog exercise areas and fenced dog parks. Even in those areas, dogs must be leashed coming and going and each handler must carry a leash.