US National Park & Beach Holidays Near Washington, DC

From Atlantic Ocean beach holidays and the Chesapeake Bay to scenic US national parks and the Blue Ridge Mountains, America’s Capital Region offers plenty of ways to explore the outdoors.

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People on a cliff watching the sky turn pink and orange during sunset at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, USA

Gorgeous sunsets with mountain views at Shenandoah National Park

Two young trees over hang a creek surrounded by vibrant green foliage in Washington, DC's Rock Creek Park

A hidden oasis of natural beauty in Washington, DC's Rock Creek Park (credit: Jaime Rose Photography)

Wild ponies at Assateague Island National Seashore in Berlin, Maryland, USA

A family of four walks down a sandy path to spend a day on Virginia Beach

Family fun at Virginia Beach (credit: Virginia Tourism Corporation)

Two people kayak at sunset at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, USA

Kayaking at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, USA

Two people hiking through Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC

Hiking through Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC

People on a cliff watching the sky turn pink and orange during sunset at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, USA

Gorgeous sunsets with mountain views at Shenandoah National Park

Two young trees over hang a creek surrounded by vibrant green foliage in Washington, DC's Rock Creek Park

A hidden oasis of natural beauty in Washington, DC's Rock Creek Park (credit: Jaime Rose Photography)

Wild ponies at Assateague Island National Seashore in Berlin, Maryland, USA

A family of four walks down a sandy path to spend a day on Virginia Beach

Family fun at Virginia Beach (credit: Virginia Tourism Corporation)

Two people kayak at sunset at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, USA

Kayaking at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland, USA

Two people hiking through Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC

Hiking through Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC

Beach Holidays in Maryland & Virginia, USA

Recreation, relaxation and fresh seafood define the Chesapeake Bay, where you'll find some of the best beaches near DC. The bay’s blue waters stretch 200 miles (322 km) from southern Virginia to northern Maryland, past sandy seashores and diverse natural preserves.

Along Maryland’s Chesapeake shoreline, Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis is the closest beach to Washington, DC, and a popular spot for fishing, crabbing, boating and sailing. Further south, the Twin Beaches (Chesapeake Beach and North Beach), offer exciting water sports like kayaking, kite-surfing and more. 

For a beach with a side of mountain views, Rocky Gap State Park near Flintstone, Maryland offers lakeside swimming plus hiking, fishing, canoeing and camping. Near Swanton, Deep Creek Lake State Park treats guests to two swimming beaches and a glassy surface that’s perfect for boating, jet skiing, water skiing, tubing, fishing and more.

Ocean City, Maryland is famed for being a beach holiday hot spot. Stroll 3 miles (5 km) along the shore to sample regional cuisine, ride rollercoasters and carousels, and join in games of sand volleyball.

Learn more about beach holidays in Maryland, USA.

In Virginia, discover 112 miles (180 km) of Atlantic coastline and more than 3,000 miles (4,828 km) of tidal shoreline. One of the best swimming spots along the lower Chesapeake Bay is Ocean View Beach Park in Norfolk, which also hosts an array of events and concerts throughout the summer.

For bird enthusiasts, Kiptopeke State Park in Cape Charles is the place to go for spotting American kestrel, merlins, peregrine falcons and migratory songbirds. And when your binoculars aren’t pointed to the sky, you can also swim in the bay, boat, fish, hike or camp. 

On the Atlantic coast, lively Virginia Beach is an American classic. Stroll the 3-mile (5-km) boardwalk and enjoy 35 miles (56 km) of beaches, plus parasailing, fishing and kayaking with dolphins.

Learn more about beach holidays in Virginia, USA

US National Park Adventures

US National Parks in Virginia

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, USA is home to an expansive 516 miles (830 km) of mountainous hiking and cycling trails, along with plenty of places to go fishing, camping and back country backpacking. Avid cyclists can pedal the 105 miles (169 km) of the park’s scenic paved road — Skyline Drive. The route also connects to nearly 190 miles (306 km)of the Blue Ridge Parkway, known for its spectacular mountain views. 

Also in Virginia Beach, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a lovely retreat for wildlife lovers. The unique ecosystem of the refuge makes an ideal habitat for a host of permanent and migratory residents, like loggerhead sea turtles, bobcats, river otters, water moccasins (a venomous snake that skates on the water’s surface), snowy tundra swans and more. Several ranger-led programs take place throughout the year, including a tram ride through the refuge. You can also kayak, hike, cycle, search for seashells or fish here.

US National Parks in Maryland

In Cambridge, Maryland, spot bald eagles, red-capped pileated woodpeckers, great blue herons, beavers and a variety of colourful ducks at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is home to numerous trails, some of which are water trails. Paddle through grassy marshlands to spot wading shorebirds hunting for frogs and fish, and revel in the quiet that can only be found in secretive spots like this. The land trails traverse forests and marshes, and are popular with hikers and cyclists alike.

Visit Assateague Island National Seashore in Berlin, Maryland, for fun on the Atlantic coastline. Wake to ocean breezes at your campsite, stroll boardwalks, trails and paved walkways, or wander nearly 40 miles (64 km) of sandy shores. Try your hand at surf fishing and catch famous Maryland blue crabs. As you wander and stroll about the seashore, keep an eye out for the wild horses that live on the island.

US National Parks in Washington, DC

Though a cosmopolitan city and a political hub, Washington, DC is also home to ample ways to immerse yourself in nature. 

At Rock Creek Park — one of America's oldest and largest urban parks — you can run, hike, bike or even go horse riding through canopies of hardwood trees. You can also canoe along the Potomac River, play tennis or tee off on greens that presidents and American lawmakers have played through. The park's William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Stadium hosts the Mubadala Citi DC Open each summer. (Note: Reservations are required for tennis and golfing.)

Escape the city at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens in the Anacostia neighbourhood, where you might spot beavers building dams, deer loping across park trails or dragonflies lazily swooping above blooming lotus and water lilies. The park celebrates these blossoms so much that it holds an annual week-long Lotus and Water Lily Festival in summer. At the festival, you can learn the significance the flowers hold to other cultures, join ranger-led programs, participate in special kid-centric days and more.

Find more ways to explore the parks and waterways of America’s Capital Region: 

Visit US state parks in Maryland and Virginia.

Discover the charms of the Chesapeake Bay.