NOVA Parks News
NOVA Parks Expands W&OD Park Hours
Fairfax Station, Va. (May 29, 2026) — At their regular May meeting, the NOVA Parks Board of Directors adopted expansion of the operating hours for the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD Park) to 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, effective immediately.
The W&OD Park’s hours were previously 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. between Shirlington and Herndon, and dawn to dusk between Herndon and Purcellville. Adjusting the hours to 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. year-round for the full 45 miles of trail standardizes operation across jurisdictions and enhances communication about trail operating hours. The change responds to frequent requests from commuters to expand hours between Herndon and Purcellville and reflects the park’s actual usage.
Since the first section was paved along the former roadbed of the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad in 1974, the W&OD Park has supported healthy lifestyles while connecting residents to each other and their environment. The 45-mile trail is now an important carbon-free active transportation network that links many regional hubs, including Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Leesburg, and Purcellville. More than 2 million people per year use the trail for recreation or to commute to work, the 4 nearby Metro stations, and the many nearby schools.
Over the coming months, signage along the W&OD Trail will be reviewed and updated as needed and NOVA Parks will provide support to jurisdictions seeking to deploy new lighting along the trail resulting from the hours change.
Visit novaparks.com/W&OD to learn more about the W&OD Park.
About NOVA Parks
Founded in 1959 as a conservation organization, NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) is the only regional park authority in Virginia. It represents three Northern Virginia counties and three cities—Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, and the City of Fairfax. The regional agency manages 37 parks with 12,500 acres of parkland, including waterparks, golf courses, campsites, historic sites, event venues, boat launches, holiday light shows, and a high adventure ropes course.
About Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park
Often called the skinniest park in Virginia, Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park is a paved trail between Shirlington and Purcellville, Virginia. Run, walk, cycle or skate the 45-mile route along the former roadbed of the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, which connects Northern Virginia communities through the urban heartland and into the Virginia countryside. Equestrians can ride the adjacent 32-mile gravel horse trail.
