Huntley Meadows Park

Stroller walking at Huntley Meadows Park is exercise plus. Not only is there a smooth, mostly level walking path to enjoy your stroller walk or hike, you get to explore the wetlands. (Bikes and jogging are prohibited in some areas of the park.)The trail surface is mixed gravel and boardwalk, and goes out through the wetlands portion of the park. We saw an egret, tadpoles, a big fish, geese, and ducks. There are several observation platforms and plenty of benches if you need to take a break and rest little legs or nurse a cranky baby.

The park is a nature preserve, so this is a good time to introduce “take only pictures, leave only footprints” to your kids, and remind them that they’ll have to stay on the trail at all times. There are random patches of marsh along the trail even when you aren’t out over the water, and the boardwalk has just a low curb at the edge, not a high railing. So if you don’t think your kid can be trusted not to go over the side, skip this one until next year.

Remember that marsh means bugs, so pack your sunscreen and your bug repellent.

Trail surface: mixed gravel and boardwalk.
Freedom Coded: Yellow. If your kid can follow the rules (Stay on the trail, no collecting) they will enjoy going up ahead of you a little ways and trumpeting the next big discovery.
Double stroller accessible: 100%
Stroller type: any.
Distance: customizable. We had to turn off and head back for a total (car to car) of 2.17 miles, but we could have gone longer or shorter.
Loop: yes
Shade cover: The wooded portion of the trail is shady but the part out over the water is full sun.
Restrooms: In the visitor center. Check before you go to confirm the visitor center is open. (It was closed when we went.)

About Meghan

I like blues, punk, crime drama, mysteries, knitting, science fiction, having boys, and keeping active. I am a cat person, although I think dogs should have equal opportunities. When I'm not here, you'll find me on our main site, or out and about with my kids!

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