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Bren Mar Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 170 Google reviews · Running trail in Alexandria, Virginia · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Bren Mar Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
This large, wooded park in a residential area features a playground, a picnic shelter & trails.
What runners say about Bren Mar Park
“Nice places to walk, not crowded, picnic areas, playgroud, and it is free!”
Safe walking trails accompanied by fresh air, forest and complete sense of naturality. You can walk with your freinds, dog or even alone. The tracks are labelled and safe.
This park is huge. It runs into other parks and if you go to the Bren Mar Park on Edsall Road. There is a dog park and a play ground. The play ground is in an extremely shady spot. Thus on a hot day this is a best place to take your kids when it's in the 90s and you need your kids to work off their energy.
If you want a nature walk close to the city, this is one of your best option. Nice places to walk, not crowded, picnic areas, playgroud, and it is free!
Safe and fun place for kids. The playground is nice, there is a green area and a trail. I just would have liked the trail was accesible for strollers.
Trail conditions & character
“The play ground is in an extremely shady spot.”
“I go every time I can to Bren Mar Park because is a beautiful place for take a walk with my dog, and also because it has a lot forest and feel stress out.”
“Nice places to walk, not crowded, picnic areas, playgroud, and it is free!”
“The only restroom I saw was a portable unit across from the playground.”
“I just would have liked the trail was accesible for strollers.”
Plan your run at Bren Mar Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefairfaxcounty.gov
- Phone(703) 746-4343
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Alexandria
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Dora Kelley Nature Park
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Winkler Botanical Preserve
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Holmes Run Trailhead
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Chessie’s Trail
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