Locust Grove Nature Center

If you have kids, this place is a great educational place. Fantastic walking nature paths. Stumble on service from wild church and just what I needed.

Very peaceful. Very serene. A great day for me to finally get out and enjoy what nature has to offer. Very thankful for this area to see it preserved. There is a 300-year old sycamore tree in this grove.

There are some nice walking trails back here along Cabin John Creek that are dog-approved. I was here on a cloudy day in December so there were no leaves on the trees but I imagine that this is a wonderfully quiet place in summer weather as well. I couldn't hear the traffic on busy Democracy Blvd or Seven Locks Rd, which I didn't expect. The trees buffer the sound very well. I look forward to coming back when the weather gets warm again.

This place is such a gem! We had a birthday party here today and every step of the process was easy and seamless. The cabin was adorable and so cozy, the nature center was absolutely perfect and the naturalist on duty managed to keep a group of kids ranging from 2-9 entertained for a full hour. Parking was easy, the cabin was warm, there were animals and hikes and adventures to be had - it made for a perfect day. A big thank you to Locust Grove Nature Center!

I discovered LGNC last year while looking for nature-centered adult programs and was delighted to learn about their fire-making classes, their wildflower walks, their adult hikes and all of the other wonderful programs they have for families and for adults alike. All of their staff are friendly, knowledgeable and so welcoming. I learn so much when I'm there!

I came for the nature, but I keep going back because of the sense of belonging I feel when I show up to learn about wildflowers, or when I stand on the back porch and watch the nuthatches at the feeders.

As a nature lover without kids, I hope they add to and continue their adult programming. This is a wonderful center with passionate, caring employees, and they deserve all the stars Google has and more.

Enjoyed the walk on the Cabin John Trail. There is a beautiful old sycamore tree about quarter mile down the trail from the nature center with benches for sitting and reflection. The CJ trail itself is single tracked with some small hills, so you may share with runners or mountain bikers, but it remains a tranquil nature experience nonetheless. Recommend checking out the Nature Center's programming as well.

Stamble into this fantastic park and nature trails. Saw many families and kids enjoying the outdoors.

We had a great time at Locust Grove Nature Reserve with our little kids, with a make your own apple cider event. The kids learned where apples originated, how they got to the US, how they spread and how different apples taste. Then they pressed and tasted their own cider. A great event, highly recommended!

Despite being closed due to the pandemic, this place is still full of great trails and interesting features to explore that both children and adults love. I cannot wait for the playground renovations to be completed. It looks like it will be absolutely fabulous.

Great trails and picnic areas for families, pet friendly (outside the center as they have live animals inside), always interesting exhibits, be sure to check out the animal ambassadors on display.

A lovely place for a walk.

This is our new favorite place to take my toddler creeking. We used to trek out to either Woodley gardens or Glen Echo Park, but this is way better. There's a trail behind the tennis center that leads straight to the creek. It's a super clean creek (at least when we went) with lots of nice shallow areas, islands of rocks, and is easily accessible. I'm comfortable enough bringing both my infant and toddler by myself, which I couldn't really do anywhere else.

An amazing nature center with outdoor children’s garden where the kids can explore and play pretend restaurant by using the cute little kitchen, play in the sandbox, build something using the giant wood blocks, and climb through a bee hive. There is an indoor space for kids as well. When you go down the path, you can catch fish in the creek or even dip in the water. Most of all, this place is a hidden gem and most of the time it’s empty, so you can have it all for yourself.

We did our child’s 5th birthday party here for something different - and since we like walks in the woods as a family. Had never been to the nature center before our visit to scope it out, and the party itself of course.

It was fantastic! The staff were great to work with and super flexible and creative to help us find the perfect party for our child. (They have suggested themes but let us deviate with a fairy tale style themed walk)

The activity walk through the woods was exactly what we hoped for, and the space inside perfect. I think the party goers would’ve liked more time - but us parents thought the 2hrs were perfect.

Our only regret is we were so tired when it was all done we didn’t have the energy to explore the grounds on our own. So will definitely be doing that some other time!

A little bit of wilderness nestled between Democracy Boulevard and Tuckerman Lane. Parking is on Democracy Boulevard. Trails are well maintained.

Locust Grove is a very cute small local nature center in Cabin John State Park. They have great educational and fun events and programs for all ages, including, night hikes and hibernation hikes with kids. There are several trails of various lenght.

Lots of different things to do with the kids. Has a river, exploration paths with explanations for kids, hikes etc. Good size parking lot and very kid friendly. The vast majority of people were using face masks. Will be back.

The environment is charming, the facilities immaculate, the staff very friendly. Other groups were elsewhere in the park and all were very nice. The kids love the fish in the muddy stream and the fire pit was entertaining for all.

Lots of wonderful trails for beautiful walks. Storybook trail perfect for kids with stops along the way to read a story!

Locust Grove Nature Center is a nice place to hike. The vegetation and landscape are beautiful. The clean natural stream running through the park is very attractive to see.