Updated on November 2, 2024 by Julie McCool
Visit the beautiful new Beaverdam Reservoir Park in Northern Virginia's Loudoun County for hiking, boating, fishing, dog-walking, picnicking, and more outdoor fun. The new park creates a welcome entry point to a stunning waterfront surrounded by woods.
The new waterfront park does double duty, providing open space for visitors and supporting the reservoir's water quality. Informational park signs share interesting facts and explain how the park's design helps to keep the water clean. For example, the reservoir's 1.4 billion gallons can provide drinking water to 300,000 customers for 40 days.
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We visited Reservoir Park the day after it opened and plan to return often. This family-friendly park will be a popular spot to enjoy a hike and check out the fall foliage. When the boathouse opens in spring, it will add another great spot for boating in Northern VA.
Reservoir Park Amenities and Layout
The main amenities at Reservoir Park stretch across the southeast waterfront and include a welcome center with restrooms and water fountains backed by a large parking lot. A central paved trail leads to a boathouse, boat launch, picnic pavilion, and a long pier extending over the water.
At the southern end of the park, a wooden boardwalk leads to a pretty bridge and another picnic pavilion. At the northern end, another boardwalk leads to a short pier with overlook.
Dirt trails through the woods connect these spaces and offer lovely water views and shady paths. Trails also extend beyond the park, circling the lake and offering more great views.
There are several nice places to picnic at Reservoir Park. Grab a spot at one of the four picnic pavilions (as long as they aren't rented), spread a blanket near the boat launch, or find a flat rock by the shore. Picnic Pavilion rentals open in Spring 2025.
Visiting Beaverdam Reservoir Park
Enter Reservoir Park on Water Vista Drive in Ashburn Virginia, passing the athletic fields at Brambleton Park West. (Don't follow GPS directions that suggest another entry as they'll take you down a blocked dirt road.) The winding road leads to a large parking area.
Begin your visit at the Welcome Center building where you can check out a map and learn about the park's dual mission. If you have kids in your group, you can pick up a pamphlet and crayons to use during your visit.
Walk straight from the Welcome Center to reach the waterfront, boathouse, and pier.
Here you'll find beautiful, open views of the reservoir, especially when fall foliage lines the banks.
At the end of the pier are places to sit and take in the view. If you have children with you, let them try the handpump and watch water gently cascade through a series of narrow troughs (fun for adults too).
Beaverdam Reservoir Park Hiking Trails
The easy hiking trails at Beaverdam Reservoir Park offer a beautiful mix of sweeping water views, quiet woodlands, and rocky sections. Beaverdam trails are mostly level with dirt surfaces dotted with flat rocks. Leashed dogs are welcome, but bikes and horses are not allowed on Beaverdam's dirt trails.
Our first hike at Beaverdam Reservoir in 2015 was a mixed experience. The lake views were pretty but there were a lot of muddy and overgrown areas. The updated trails in and near Reservoir Park are much improved, with clearer paths and boardwalks over the often wet sections.
Two Easy Beaverdam Reservoir Park Hikes
An 8-mile trail circles the reservoir, but you can create shorter pretty hikes from the park. Here are two easy Beaverdam hikes we enjoyed on our first visit to the new Reservoir Park.
South Reservoir Park Bridge Hike
Take a 1-mile easy hike at the southern end of Beaverdam Reservoir. Begin at the main Reservoir Park boathouse and follow the dirt trail beside the water south to the bridge (the water will be on your right). The level trail is mostly dirt but there are some flat rocky sections.
Several large rocks offer spots to relax and enjoy the views. You'll pass an interesting old piece of equipment on your right that looks like a rusty chariot. The path soon reaches the Broad Run Pavilion and a pretty bridge.
Cross the bridge and enter the woods, turning left on the path. Follow the dirt path as it skirts the lower end of the reservoir.
The view from the southern end of the lake is gorgeous in the fall with foliage reflected in the water.
The trail is a little hard to see as it crosses a short rocky section, but is clear once you return to the dirt surface. Just keep the water on your left and stay close to the reservoir. Soon you'll reach the bridge again where you can continue straight on the dirt path, or follow the boardwalk to the parking area.
Reservoir Park Hike to Mt Hope Parking
Another nice hike is an easy 1.5-mile out-and-back from the Reservoir Park boathouse to the Mt Hope parking area. Head north toward the Crew Overlook, stopping to check out the view and learn about the fish in the reservoir.
Follow the dirt trail through the edge of the woods, with the reservoir on your left. You'll have more nice views and some big rocks at the water's edge make nice picnic spots. Short boardwalks keep the trail above areas most likely to get muddy.
Continue north until you reach the Mt Hope parking area, a popular spot for launching kayaks and SUPs. Return the way you came, or continue north for a longer hike. If you choose, you can hike all the way around the reservoir for an 8-mile loop.
Beaverdam Reservoir Park Essentials
Here is essential information for your visit to Beaverdam Reservoir Park. Check the NOVA Parks website for additional info and the latest updates and alerts.
- Reservoir Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
- Admission and parking are free, but there are fees for boat rentals (beginning spring 2025) and use of the boat launch.
- Kayaks, SUPs, non-motorized boats, and small electric motors are allowed.
- Fishing is allowed except from the main pier and bridge.
- Swimming, bathing, and wading are not allowed anywhere in Beaverdam Reservoir.
- Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the park.
- Bicycles are only allowed on paved trails.
- Reservoir Park is located at 22211 Water Vista Drive in Ashburn Virginia.
Reservoir Park Wheelchair and Stroller-Friendly Areas
Most of the Reservoir Park amenities are wheelchair accessible, including the boardwalks, bridge, pier, picnic areas, restrooms, and dedicated parking spaces. The woodland trails, however, are narrow with a mix of dirt and stone surfaces.
Accessible boardwalks and paved trails lead to the three main park areas—the pier, bridge, and Crew Overlook—connected by a paved sidewalk by the parking area. There are 4 accessible parking spaces near the Welcome Center, and 3 more near the Bridge.
We are thrilled to have another great park in the NOVA Parks system. The new Reservoir Park brings family-friendly hiking, boating, fishing, and picnicking facilities to Beaverdam Reservoir and is sure to be a popular spot for waterfront outdoor fun.
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