Algonkian Regional Park

Description

Algonkian Regional Park hosts everything from a golf course to a water park and everything in between. With over 800 acres there is plenty of room for wildlife especially where the park runs along the south bank of the Potomac River. One of the first species you are likely to encounter in the park is white-tailed deer, which can be seen by the dozens as they graze along the roadsides and venture out onto the golf course. Other mammals include eastern chipmunk, gray squirrel and woodchuck, while red fox may show themselves at dawn or dusk.

Birds to look for in the park include eastern bluebirds around the open fields and a variety of woodpeckers in the woods. The riverside brush hosts numerous eastern phoebes, and in winter, can attract white-throated, song and other sparrows. The river is well worth a look for waterfowl in the winter and during migration. It can be especially good for merganser, with hooded, common and red-breasted all being found. The river has also been known to host a common loon from time to time.

Scan the park for butterflies such as hackberry and tawny emperors, variegated fritillaries and red-spotted purples. Dragonflies and damselflies can also be abundant, with common green darners and black saddlebags patrolling the fields and American rubyspots and powdered dancers fluttering along the riverbanks.

Directions

From Red Rocks continue east on Edwards Ferry Road NE for 1.8 miles to SR 7/E. Market Street (after 0.3 miles Edwards Ferry Road becomes River Creek Parkway). Turn left, and follow SR 7 east 7.3 miles. Exit Cascades Parkway and go north on Cascades Parkway for 2.2 miles to Fairway Drive Turn left (north) on Fairway Drive for 0.9 miles to Algonkian Regional Park.