River Bend Nature Center — Attraction in Potomac

202208 I came to explore a different park of the park. Didn't go as planned, ended up hiking the blue trail all the way to Great Falls instead of hopping in the orange trail back to the visitors center. The visitors center has 2 parking area. If you want to hike toward the nature center, park in the lot on the left of the visitor center. If you want to head to great falls, park in the lot on the right. To the right if the visitors center is the boat ramp. Donations are accepted. Please bring cash $2 per day/car and $20 per year - honor system. The blue trail is pretty flat with some muddy spots. Once crossed into Great Falls, some parts of the trail is very narrow and rocky. Recommend wearing hiking shoes!! If you have walking stability concerns, please be careful. Hang onto someone. Most of the trail is shady, which is nice, including both parking areas. It is unfortunate that only some spots of the trail offer a view of the river. Once you reach the Fall, a little over a mile from the parking lot, it's very pretty. I didn't go passed the little falls but imagine it to be even prettier. There were a lot more people on this part of the trail than the part that goes toward the Nature Center. You can rent canoe by the boat ramp. The restrooms were not in operation today, but portable bathrooms are available. I love that many people took their dogs hiking today. Too many dogs are stuck at home and dint get to go anywhere.... sad. I plan on coming back many more times to explore the other trails.

202204 My first time here... not sure why I wanted so long! The trails are so well marked. Have a copy of the trail map so you will know which turn to make. There was a lot of bugs and I even sprayed myself down. I walked the paved trail behind the nature center then heading to the visitor center, hiked along the Potomac River headed north on the blue trail and took the orange trail back to the nature center. Total of 1.67 mile. I'm going to come back in the fall, less bugs. Also, the bushes, scrubs, and trees could be trimmed back some on the trail. There were all kind of rocks on the trails. Not sure what they are, maybe just all sort of river rocks. They look naturely...

Whattcan't be said about the River Bend Nature Centerthat most people already know. My very first visit was to do some filming with my Drones. I was aware of the do's and don't's so I stopped the ground keeper who were so insightful and helpful, I mean it was so pleasant to see these gentlemen willing to stop from their busy schedule to provide insightful and very accurate directions to the Nature Center. Upon arrival, I met and was greeted by the residents that frequent the Center and provided with known locations for great shots. I was so satisfied with the entire experience that I couldn't mention everything in one page. However, the temperature was just right for filming the forest areas and the Potomac River as it wasn't crowded with visitors and residents alike. I had total freedom to film the natural areas and was really impressed with the cleanliness of the trails and the Hidden Pond area, which was magnificently green with shades of brown and reds for this time of year. I will admit it was a little breezy, but added to the effect with the foliage and the leaves falling from the trees. If you're looking to get away from it all, the River Bend Nature Center is a great choice for just that. You can really soak in the stillness of the forest and the sound of the running stream of the Potomac River. Definitely, one of Fairfax County's...

Great views. Friendly knowledgeable staff. Well maintained park/restrooms/trails. Lots of room to socially/physically distance. My favorite is the 1.8 mile, 45 minute - 1 hour (depending on walking speed)walk from RBP to Great Falls National Park along the Potomac, though a stroller is difficult to take all the way to GFNP due to some uneven rocky spots along the trail. During the summer they rent kayaks and canoes which is the best way to view the park. Awesome birding. Regularly see eagle, great blue herons, egrets, geese, and cormorants as well as forest birds of all types. It’s open year round (except Christmas) 7 am to dark/dusk (despite what search engines tell you. Visitor center is often open with history and live animal displays and a small store. No entry fees and usually no delays in parking unless GFNP parking...