The One Northern Virginia Hike You Should Be Doing This Spring

Riverbend Park's bluebells are second to none in the area.  There are a few other local spots where there are Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) that bloom immensely, but none are as memorable as the walk at Riverbend Park.

If you want to escape traffic for an hour or two, or see something beautiful in Northern Virginia, this is what you should be doing.  This is not a hike that finishes at a mountainous peak, nor is it gruelling by any means, but it is one that should be enjoyed and photographed.

Bluebells flowers come up every spring at Riverbend, usually between the last week in March to the last week in April.  There are hundreds of thousands of blooms, giving the forest floor a blanket of greens and blues.  It's photographic, beautiful, and almost breathtaking to see so many of these flowers at once.

The hikes at Riverbend are generally easy to moderate, with a few short walks right next to the Potomac River.  If you want to see the bluebells in bloom, staying on the trails near the river is recommended. The hike described below, can also be described or done as a short out-and-back walk, but the difference between a "walk" and a "hike" are very subjective and depend on the patron and outdoor user.

To visit, park at Riverbend Park's Visitor Center (8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, Virginia).

To see the bluebell flowers, walk straight to the Potomac River at the boat ramp located next to the Visitor Center.  Proceed upstream (looking at the river, walk to your left) for 60 yards on the Potomac Heritage Trail. 

Once you arrive at the Potomac Heritage Trail's Trailhead, walk directly upstream to see thousands upon thousands of blooms of bluebell flowers, along with bloodroot, chickweed, ramps, troutlily, and more.

Proceed upstream on the Potomac Heritage Trail for 3/4 of a mile, then turn around and head back towards the parking lot.

For almost the entire duration of this hike, the hiker will be surrounded by these bluebell blooms, and at some points, they extend into the forest floor for hundreds of yards.  It is truly amazing.

*This hike is most commonly done as a short out-and-back hike of 3/4 of a mile, one way, but many other routes can be taken.  Visit the Riverbend Park Visitor Center for more hiking information and maps.

*Virginia bluebells are part of a category of flowers called ephemerals.  They may bloom quickly and rapidly, so call Riverbend Park beforehand to inquire about peak bloom times each spring.

*It is unlawful to collect flowers and plants in Riverbend Park.  Please respect the law and the plants by staying on trail, not picking flowers, and only taking photos.