It's official - winter is finally here in Northern Virginia! Sledding is a classic winter activity that's both festive and fun for the entire family. Dust off your sleds, bundle up, and head to Fairfax County's slopes for a thrill ride and some fresh air! After working up an appetite, be sure to stop by our local restaurants to indulge in award-winning food and specials on locally poured craft beer and wine.
1. Westgate Park
Maps: Westgate Park
Westgate Park, located in McLean and adjacent to Westgate Elementary School, is best known for its public tennis courts. However, behind the second baseball field is one of the park's best-kept secrets: an awesome sledding hill!
2. "Mount Reston"
Maps: "Mount Reston"
Lovingly dubbed "Mount Reston" by locals, the hill behind the Unitarian Church on Wiehle Ave is a favorite place to sled every year. With a long ride down (and a long walk back up!), it will surely get your blood pumping and the wind rushing through your hair.
Image courtesy IG user @read.love.travel, at another popular sledding spot near Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly
3. Mason District Park
Maps: Mason District Park
Chosen by the Fairfax County Park Authority as one of the best places in Fairfax County to go sledding, Mason District Park in Annandale is perfect for sledding. At the end of Meadow Trail is a perfect hill to get your zoom on.
4. Meadowood Stables
Maps: Meadowood Stables
Who wouldn't love sledding alongside the horses on a charming farm in Lorton? Along the rolling pastures, with miles of horseback riding trails, the Stables of Meadowood provides unique opportunities to connect with horses and discover a hidden sledding gem. Grab on your sleds, because this will be a breathtaking winter wonderland.
5. Cardinal Forest Park
Maps: Cardinal Forest Park
Cardinal Forest Park is a quiet and tucked-away gem in Springfield. However, when winter dusts the ground with snow, it becomes the ultimate place to get some major airtime. Along the sewer easement, between Carleigh Parkway and Roxbury Avenue, is a beloved hill for sledding.
6. Jefferson Manor Park
Maps: Jefferson Manor Park
Nestled on a high hill off Telegraph Road is Jefferson Manor Park, a county-run park surrounded by green space, playgrounds, and basketball courts. Every year, kids and parents take to the sled-ready hill to zip to the bottom at what feels like a million miles an hour.
7. Lake Fairfax Park
Maps: Lake Fairfax Park
In the summer, Lake Fairfax Park is loved by locals and visitors alike for its fishing opportunities, outdoor boating options, and relaxing lazy river. Little do people know - behind the picnic area restrooms is a short and steep hill perfect for gliding. It's a plus that parking is nearby, making for a shorter trek back to the car!
Nearby Sledding Excursions
8. Stone House at Manassas National Battlefield
Maps: Stone House at Manassas
Just behind the historic Stone House on the Manassas Battlefield grounds lies one of the area’s most underrated sledding hills. The wide-open slope provides plenty of room to pick up speed, and the surrounding battlefield views make it one of the most scenic spots to enjoy a snow day.
9. Tuckahoe Park
Maps: Tuckahoe Park
Tucked in a quiet Arlington neighborhood, Tuckahoe Park turns into a winter wonderland whenever the snow falls. The main hill offers a good mix of speed and safety, making it perfect for both conservative sledders and thrill-seekers! It’s surrounded by beautiful trees and there’s enough open space at the bottom for a safe landing.
10. Windmill Hill Park
Maps: Windmill Hill Park
Located right along the Potomac River, Windmill Hill Park offers a mix of scenic views and sledding fun. The gentle slope makes it an ideal choice for younger kids or anyone looking for a relaxed trip down the hill. After a few runs, warm up with a stroll through Old Town Alexandria or grab a cup of hot cocoa from a nearby cafe.
This winter, Fairfax County is the perfect place for kids to be kids - and for adults to be kids, too! Be sure to bundle up, choose the right gear, and of course - be vigilant when taking your sledding adventures!
Don’t miss out on other outdoor winter adventures in Northern Virginia, like ice skating, holiday light displays, and more! Looking to stay bundled up this winter? No problem. See our blog post for the best indoor winter activities in Northern Virginia. Don’t miss out on any New Years celebrations in Fairfax County this year either!
Did we miss any great sledding hills? Let us know in the comments - and be sure to tag us on social media using #FXVA and @VisitFairfax so we can see your smiles!
