Long Branch Nature Center & Park

Lots of live animals, friendly knowledge staff who are happy to answer questions

A friend did her kid's birthday here. What a delightful time! The ranger hosted a really great session that was incredibly informative for 5-yos and adults. I got to pet a turtle! Beautiful place.

We did a Butterfly walk here for toddlers and it was a blast. There is a creek (your kids will want to go in. Their clothes will smell awful afterwards) and there is a cool spot with all sort of musical mushrooms they can play.

Nice little nature center with animals and kids play room inside. There are trails right in front of the nature center that connect to a bigger park with a playground, a picnic area, a dog park, and the W&OD trail.

Very cute Nature Center with lots of reptiles (snakes, turtles, lizards, etc) & fish and a children's play area complete with puzzles, dress up clothes, toy animals, etc. Very friendly staff and even offers occasional children's classes.

Found this great place by accident! The driveway to the visitor parking for the Nature Center is directly next to a medical office building. It is so peaceful and serene. I enjoyed my short visit walking and snapping some scenic pics.

An interesting place for children and adults. There are a few animals and a few games for children to play.

Long Branch Nature Center Poplar Pond and trail May 14, 2023

Enjoyable view on the maple trees and people taking a jog uphill. Really nice environment.

Such a wonderful place to roam about. Very clean and well kept. I went on Thanksgiving, when there wasn't much going on. But even just a after dinner walk, it's nice! An awesome little dog park that puts them right at the water to play in! My boy had a kick a** time 👍 one of our hidden gems

Lots of shade and a the path is along a nice creek. There is a dog park to play in the creek too. A great place to run, walk or bring the kids to explore nature!

Long Branch is an incredible park beside Four Mile Run. Unbelievable sounds and upcoming early fall views so close to Urban living here in Arlington. If you would enjoy a nice walk while listening to the water running over rocks surrounded by trees and plants you will not be disappointed. It feels as if you you are far from city living with the exception of the occasional sound of airplanes flying from Reagan National airport.

Amazed by how well maintained is the park. Really nice place!

Daughter went to nature camp here. Nice folks who seem to enjoy working with kids. They run an organized program.

I’m a full-time nanny and being outside with the kids I take care of is so important for both of us. Over the last 2 years I’ve had lots of time to explore Fairfax County and Arlington County parks and Long Branch Creek Nature Center is a hidden gem I discovered about a month ago and have been recommending as one of my favorites in the area since! Lots of openings along the creek for young children to safely wade in and throw rocks and sticks and boulders to sit on to be close enough to play with them and supervise. The nature center has an awesome free-play area with little house, toys, musical instruments, and blocks. It also has a live rattle snake and several other types of snakes, frogs, and turtles living in terrariums. During our last visit we saw a Hummingbird at one of the feeders outside. The center offers classes for preschoolers to adults and night hikes too! This is what makes living in Arlington beautiful!

Beautiful park. Great for kids, adults, and dogs. There's a pond where you can see the fish, frogs, and turtles.

We love this place. Nicely tucked in behind busy Glen Carlyn Road. Not much parking but accessible via the W&OD/S. Four Mile Run bike path. Lots of places for kids to explore. Rock hopping in the creek. Very cool pond with turtles, frogs, fish and snakes for kids to see. Don't forget to visit the turkey vulture behind the visitor center. Great programs. Mr Cliff is cute with the kids. The flying squirrels program is a must for both kids and grown-ups!

A nice little nature center with snake, frog, and fish exhibits. There are a couple short trails, great for the kids, and a paved trail along the Long Branch down to Four Mile Run. OK for strollers. You can eventually get to the dog park and playground. Great local resource.

This has everything for a local nature center. A very knowledgeable staff and many activities for the young. The park has many hiking trails, a children’s playground and a very popular dog park. Two streams flow through the park with stocked trout every year for opportunities for kids to learn how to fish. There are also two group areas with one designed for the disabled.

The park is a good starting point to bike ride on the W&OD trial that runs along the edge of the park. This trail will take you to the Mt. Vernon trail and into Washington DC, or out to Leesburg, VA.

Exploration room is great for kids. It has toys, books, stuffed animals, a homemade xylophone. Also lots of animals to see (turtles, snakes, frogs, fish, lizards). The porch area near the entrance has great views. Some nice little trails for toddlers as well.