Dora Kelley Nature Park - Alexandria, VA
Dora Kelley Nature Park – Nature Retreat & Dog-Friendly Hiking in Alexandria, Virginia
Dora Kelley Nature Park stands out as a serene destination for outdoor lovers and dog owners in Alexandria, Virginia. With its wheel-chair accessible paved paths winding through shaded woods, this park offers some of the most scenic, pet-friendly trails in the area. Visitors consistently praise the well-maintained grounds, minimal litter, and the peacefulness of having a piece of nature surrounded by city life. The park is an ideal spot for dog-friendly hiking, picnics, and leisurely strolls with your furry friends – plus, children will love exploring the river and spotting local wildlife such as herons, turtles, and bullfrogs.
The park is well-designed for families, offering activities and amenities for everyone. There are kid-friendly hiking options, a playground, picnic and grill areas, and nearly all trails run under plentiful shade, keeping your walk comfortable even in the summer. While there is no specifically designated off-leash dog run, leashed dogs are welcome throughout the park. Free street parking is available nearby, and the paved, accessible nature trails make Dora Kelley a top pick for both dog owners and families in Alexandria seeking the best outdoor spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed at Dora Kelley Nature Park? Yes, dogs are welcome at the park, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Is Dora Kelley Nature Park wheelchair accessible? Yes, there are wheelchair-accessible parking areas and paved paths throughout much of the park.
- Are there playgrounds or activities for kids? Yes, there is a playground and kid-friendly hiking trails, making this park suitable for families.
- Is shade available throughout the park? Yes, the majority of the trails and picnic areas are well-shaded by trees.
- Is parking available? Yes, there is free street parking near the entrance.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to Dora Kelley Nature Park? Yes, the park features several hiking trails, including both paved and natural paths, and connects to Holmes Run Trail.
- Is Dora Kelley Nature Park open year-round? Yes, the park is open year-round.
- Are picnic or BBQ areas available? Yes, there are picnic and grill areas available for visitors to use.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, reviews mention that the park is generally well-maintained with minimal litter.
Reviews
There’s a beautiful nature walk that is paved and in good condition, no real tripping hazards. If you stay on the paved path. We got to see a great blue heron. There’s a nice pond and plenty of bullfrogs to listen to. We saw a turtle. Very enjoyable walk, nearly the entire walk is in the shade as well.
Great and nice place with amazing facilities for walking, picnic and running.
Gorgeous gem of a walking trail that offers a leisurely paved trail through the woods. There are moments where you can walk across stepping stones to get over the river.
Besides the areas with stepping stones, this path is great for individuals with mobility limitations, with strollers or small children.
There is free street parking available.
Nice, pleasant and well maintained. Few places have sewer access points and they stink. There is a kids play area and grill area with couple of seatings around the park. Trail connects to Holmes run and have a flat tar road trail as well as off road trail.
Fall update: nice and vibrant colors
This was an awesome hiking spot surrounded by city. Lots of places for our kids to play in the river. Well maintained and hardly any trash. We always see a lot of broken glass in the rocks at different places we go. Did not see any here. We let our kids go barefoot and play. Parking was a pain due to the parking lots being closed because of the WUHAN Corona covid 19 virus. Or whatever its being called now.