All of Arlingtons parks are great. Arlington works hard so every citizen has a place to walk to. Long Branch has something for everyone, parking for people trying to get on the trail, dog park, pond, informational signs, programs, kids area, animals, trails, picnic pavilion, playground around the corner, tall trees, shade, stream, rocks etc. Long Branch connects to a larger greenway that winds through Arlington, situated near Columbia Pike it connects to Carlin Springs and North Arlington. It offers a fast moving bike access and has hilly turning foot paths as well. Safety should always be on ones mind, but it is a well traveled section that feels safe.

Excellent program on Flying Squirrels. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic naturalist. Fun experience.

I was tempted to lower this rating so this would stay a hidden gem, but thats selfish. This place is an oasis of calmness and nature in a sprawling metropolitan area.

Nice outdoor area. Good walking trail

Great for short evening walks and picnic s

Nice trails in a dramatic landscape.

Great spot for pups and nature viewing

The animals are cool. This place has a stream and plants. There are things to do inside which makes it a nice winter inside trip. Sray cozy and learn

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!

I think Ive reviewed this park before, but gDrug is losing what I put up, deliberately because its negative, or not... So boundaries of the park, how far upstream does it go? Into Fairfax County and the pedestrian bridge Im trying to add? And downstream, glyncarlyn park, playground and dog park with the historical marker, etc? And boundaries with W&OD? Washed out bridges, now many months and no end in sight? Who to call, in case of emergency, markers and signs, but even as a frequent user dont really know them by memory, say tripped and fell... So nature center nearest must be part of managing, but center closed Mondays but park open, so editing times for that and daylight savings, but conflicting since both lumped together... Ymmv leave the critters alone, they live here, youre just visiting...

They have flying squirrels! went at night to see them. parking lot, trail to visitor center and viewing area were well lit but not too bright to scare the critters. was unable to assess the center as it was after closing.

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

Great well maintained park to walk the dog and sit and read. Nice oasis from the hustle and bustle.

Nature experience, park time, relaxing, kids having fun.Good place!

So tranquil!

Fun trail and the nature center is small but great for young kids.

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.

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.

Just discovered this gem. This park has some nice serene trails in the woods right off of Columbia Pike and South Carlin Spring. They have an assortment of reptiles and a turkey vulture out back. This park has quite a few opportunities for learning and embracing nature.

Difficult to get to by trail with two Bridges washed out by the dog park and playground (just reopened). Bathrooms down there still closed and chemical toilet instead? Steep hills and trail washes out in heavy rain, so as w mode of transit, say for biking and/or walking, would be alarming if i395 or and car based mode were down that much. Still better than bus and rail stats, but not considered real transit option, just recreational, day only, and have to have other options. High Bridges along w&od usually ok, 4mr rollercoaster but shady. Attaching to dog park as contains in gMaps.

Great place with friendly staff. They had some awesome animals and great things for the kids. They also had a Turkey vulture. They also have trails you hike on. They have kid and adult classes to learn about nature. For free its a awesome place to visit.

Last night was our first time at this park. We absolutely loved it! Everyone was friendly and considerate of each other.

I learned a lot about tree identification without leaves.

Nice nature center with frogs, snakes, turtles and fish. A little discovery zone for kids too - with books, dress up, and other small toys. Restrooms are indoors when the center is open. Relatively small parking lot, but several paved and dirt trails through the woods.

Great nature center and awesome outdoor space

4.5 star Beautiful! Refreshing! True Nature!Beautiful Nature Oasis in a City of Traffic. It feels like the country or a deep forest camp. Perfect for a real nature walk, but also connects to local commuting trails.Long Branch Nature Center has lots of programs for families including bonfires throughout the summer, educational nature classes, and summer camp for kids. The fees for reservations are paid on the Arlington County Parks and Recreation Website.The interior has some animal habitats for viewing (snakes), a childrens playroom with many toys, a turtle pond, a large room for classes and restrooms.The only setback is getting there. Its slightly confusing to enter, but just follow the sign and drive around 1200 ft until you see the parking area/building. There are only a few slots open the public near the main building, however there is a large public parking lot behind the Medical Center on road that turns into the Long Branch Nature center from S. Carlin Springs Rd.The Employees are very helpful on the phone and friendly in person as well. Education about Nature and Virginias natural Habitats are the main goals of the Long Branch Nature Center. I can easily confirm the love Arlington Parks and Recreation Employees have for preservation of Virginias natural habitats when I come here with my family.

Just used the trails for a walk with the dog. The Nature Center connects to a dog park and the W&O canal trail.

Nice trails and great natural center exhibition. Warm place to get into if you hike up from C&O trails.

Excellent naturalist for school program! Lovely area.

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. Dont 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!

This place is great. You can enjoy the nature center, the trails surrounding it, the creek and even go down to the the park and playground area near the bike trail. You can make it an easy stroll or more challenging hike snaking up and down the trails.

The nature centres in Arlington are all great. This one has a trail by a river/Creek so we like it on warm days. Usual old school nature centre itself but that is another reason we like it. Always something for the kids to get excited about.

Its a little hidden away off South Carlin Springs Road. Take the turn at the bottom of the hill that also has a sign for the medical offices. Continue east on the road past the parking garage. The road becomes narrow with restricted sight lines so drive slowly until you come to the Nature Center parking. This place is a gem and very young children friendly.

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.

The Long Branch Nature Center is a great place to bring your kids on a rainy or cold day. It is somewhat hard to find, just turn in at 611 Carlin Springs, looks like a doctors office but then drive straight back. The nature center has about 10 aquariums with snakes, turtles and fish. It also has a small little activity room with puzzles, puppets, dress ups and dinosaur toys. Best part is its free.

Great place to start a hike or just let the kids marvel.

Great spot to stop with young kids.

Very lovely park, very big too. A must see spot!

Nice little nature center: small indoor toddler imagination space, a few animals (mostly fish, snakes, and turtles), pond & garden area, turkey vulture. Limited, but adequate, parking.

Nice place to take your little ones.

Very nice park

Flying squirrel program, followed by outdoor viewing on some evenings. Great chance to see something thats all around us but rarely seen!

This is a beautiful park. The nature center is great. It is a great place for children.

Great park!! Staff is friendly and courteous. Donations would help much needed up grade to inside of nature center. Dog park. Bike trail. Much more!!!

A lot rustic and very much like the hippie camp at a small liberal college. Worth a visit and great for a peaceful walk.

Great staff, part of the Arlington Park system on a creek trail with snakes, fish, and other animals in the nature center. A great place for small kids.

A nice place to visit!!

I have been taking my boys to this nature center since they were toddlers, so this is a special place for us. They still love to spend time here playing and running around.

My son loves to go see the fish, its nice and so are the staff. We enjoy the nature trails too.

Awesome for kids. The center and walking trails are great.

Nice place for an afternoon activity with the kids

We love this place. So many rescued animals to see and learn about.

The nature programs for kids are very good!

Quiet, beautiful stream, rocks. A good place to enjoy nature

Lovely stream and the visitor center is small but some interesting reptiles.

Nice shady walking trails. Lots of things to do with little ones.

Awesome!

Small but educational

An oasis in the urban jungle.

Great times

Great place for kids

A great park for kids

Natural beautys of Arlington !

Great place to walk the dog

Great place

Good place to take the little ones

Fantastic source of information and great classes and camps

Hidden along Carlin Springs is this place. It seems out of place around here but Im glad its here. You cant even hear the road once the bull frogs get going