10 Off-the-Beaten-Path National Parks in and Around D.C.

Spring sun and warmer temperatures are probably enough to get you and the family out and about these days. But if you need an extra push to lace up your sneakers, smear on some sunscreen, and head outdoors, let us remind you that National Park Week is upon us. Running from April 15 – 23 and bookended by two free entrance weekends, National Park Week celebrates our national heritage and encourages discovering and enjoying the great outdoors. To get you started, we rounded up 10 nearby National Parks you may not of even known existed . 

Photo: Bureau of Land Management via Flickr

Anacostia Park
Delight the kids with playgrounds. Feed the family with picnics or grill out. Come together for roller skating, boating, fishing and any sport you want to play.

Online: nps.gov/anac

Chesapeake Bay
Few days are more perfect than ones spent bird watching by the bay or paddle boating across it.

Online: nps.gov/chba

Ford’s Theatre
Rarely find yourself wandering off the Mall to take in the history at Ford’s Theatre? Now’s the perfect time to change that.

Online: nps.gov/foth 

Photo: BeyondDC via Flickr

Frederick Douglass House
Take a tour and explore the grounds of this national historic sight preserving Douglass’ legacy.

Online: nps.gov/frdo

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
Hiking, birding, picnics, fantastic natural photo backdrops and more make a perfect spring day even more perfect.

Online: nps.gov/keaq

LBJ Memorial Grove on Potomac
Spend a day relaxing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and picnicking where President Johnson used to go when he needed to escape.

Online: nps.gov/lyba

Fort McHenry
Go way beyond the Mall and head to Baltimore for a tour of the fort, exhibits, and more.

Online: nps.gov/fomc

Photo: elstudio via Flickr

Fort Washington
Explore one of our country’s few remaining Seacoast Forts in its original designs or enjoy hiking, bird watching or fishing.

Online: nps.gov/fowa

Harpers Ferry
A bit of a daytrip, Harpers Ferry is totally worth the drive with museums and exhibits, overlooks and hiking, tours, shops, and a living history workshop.

Online: nps.gov/hafe

Claude Moore Colonial Farm
History buffs will dig this spot where you’ll experience farm life from revolutionary war time.

Online: nps.gov/clmo

What is your favorite local National Park? Tell us in the comments section below. 

–Tricia Mirchandani