C. M. Crockett Park — Attraction in Bealeton

I'm almost reluctant to review Crockett Park because it's one of the best kept secrets I know! I came here when I was a Girl Scout many years ago and my troop drove here around 8/9pm to do some stargazing. The Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) was also there that night doing one of their public events and some of the members brought telescopes. They pointed out various celestial objects, constellations, and stars in the night sky to us - a very interactive and fun learning experience. Crockett Park has a large open field that offers unobstructed views of the night sky.

If you want to be able to see numerous stars and constellations, maybe even a planet or two, you have to drive out quite a ways from the light pollution of the city. Midland is about a 50 minute drive from the outer suburbs (like Fairfax) of D.C. The view is absolutely breathtaking. Prior to my visit here, I had never seen so many stars, constellations, nebula, meteors, or planets in the night sky. The sky was pitch black and glittered with millions and millions of twinkling lights. I could even see the Milky Way and it was such a spectacular sight looking at the glowing band arching across the sky. To think that there's a place near D.C. where you can actually see the galaxy of our solar system is just so amazing.

NOVAC does monthly public viewings at Crockett Park (as well as Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane), so you can get a chance to stargaze and learn from experienced amateur astronomers about the night sky. These viewings happen on Saturday nights until 11pm, so you're able to get into the park after dusk. You can bring your own binoculars or telescopes but it's not needed. It cannot be stressed enough how gorgeous the view is. I highly recommend anyone with an interest in stargazing to come out to Crockett Park on a clear night and look up into the cosmos. An incredible, (literally) out of this...

The park itself is beautiful I had a great time! However the employees could have better customer service. My family and I rented a motor boat, paid, and the boat wasn’t even available. We had to wait and listen to them argue about who was in the wrong and was told hopefully they give you a refund. They might not because it’s a process so they may give you a pass to come back a few times. Thankfully a boat came, so the problem fixed itself. So we enjoyed the boat for a few hours and was told the park closes as 8. The guy on the dock called for boats to be back at 7:40/7:50. We packed up headed back to the dock and unloaded. When we got back the employee on the dock was recording us as we were trying to park because we were struggling to straighten out rather than help us then when he did help us he said “you guys took forever I’m trying to go home”. That was around 7:55. We walked up and returned the vests at exactly 7:58 and the lady that sold us the boat and license was waiting there and said “you’re late” and took the vests and walked off. Please keep in mind we were only told park closes at 8. No one said a thing about having to be back a certain time before 8. Enjoyed the boat itself but the customer service was...

Beautiful park! Enjoyed the scenery with the woods and water. Spent the afternoon there with my grandchildren and daughter-in-law on June 6, 2018.

However, the playground area was overrun by a group of teenagers who were loud, disrespectful to the others in the area (extremely foul language F word constantly; staying on the little kids play set-not moving for little ones to play; throwing football intentionally towards us as we sat or stood near our kids playing; swearing at young kids and adults; rude gestures ). It looked to be like a high school senior type outing.

You could hear this from all over the park (we heard as we left). There was no one from the park ever spoke to this group in the time we were there. We were not the only ones to leave early due to this.

Because of this, we ended up leaving the park early.

I would love to go back and hope it will be a much better...