(Blue)Bell of the Ball

I love cherry trees just as much as the next Northern Virginian. Their pink and white blossoms are certainly synonymous with spring in this part of the state. Yet cherry blossoms are just one of many floral hints that winter has finally come to an end. If you happen to glance down instead of up, you will notice hardy blooms like tulips and daffodils, which – similar to cherry trees – hail originally from faraway lands. But if you are hoping to spot a beautiful, native wildflower, look no further than the Virginia bluebell.

As their name implies, Virginia bluebells are native to our state, but they can also be found growing in the wild up and down the eastern seaboard. They like cool, moist environments, which is why they are often found under tree canopies and alongside bodies of water. Leafy green stems produce clumps of bell-shaped flowers that often have a purplish-blue hue, though they come in all different shades of blue (they can even be pink or white). The result is a dazzling carpet of green foliage liberally dotted with vibrant blooms. In addition to their beauty, bluebells are also worth seeking out when adventuring with your littlest explorers, as their proximity to the ground facilitates close-up inspection.

Bluebells can be spotted in Northern Virginia in March and April, so this is the perfect time to search for them. For more information on the flowers themselves, this site is a good resource. Continue reading below for my favorite places to view the blooms in the greater Northern Virginia area, as well as a few more destinations that we have yet to visit.

My suggestions:

1. Riverbend Park – 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA 22066

Located on the banks of the Potomac River, just a few miles upstream from the natural landmark that gives Great Falls its name, Riverbend Park is maintained by the Fairfax County Park Association. It boasts trails, boat rentals, family-friendly programming, and a small but engaging nature center that is home to some live animal friends. Though Riverbend is worth visiting year round, it makes a wonderful place to spot bluebells each spring. Clusters of the flowers can be found just steps from the Visitor’s Center and parking lot, and they continue along the Potomac Heritage Trail.

You can visit Riverbend’s bluebells any time they are in season, but for a truly special experience, try attending the park’s annual Bluebell Festival. Held on a weekend when the flowers are expected to be at peak bloom, the festival features live music, food vendors, and children’s programing. The last time we attended, there were even outdoor exhibits about local indigenous people’s traditions. This year, the Bluebell Festival will be held on Saturday, April 9th. Admittance is by timed entry only, and as of the time of writing there were still tickets available for the 10am-12pm time slot (that’s when we’ll be there!). Festival admission costs $8 per person. If interested, you can purchase tickets here, but know that the park is free to enter on non-festival days.

2. Shenandoah River State Park – 350 Daughter of Stars Dr, Bentonville, VA 22610

I recently wrote this blog post about our visit to Shenandoah River State Park last spring. Here is a summary: though home to many trails, the park has a lovely one-mile-long Bluebell Trail along the banks of the Shenandoah River. This trail offers options for a low-key stroll or more strenuous hiking, should you chose to add additional legs and off-shoots. The bluebells that line its pathway are absolutely stunning and definitely worth a visit. Feel free to read my older post linked above for more information!

3. Bull Run Regional Park – 7700 Bull Run Dr, Centreville, VA 20121

The Bluebell Trail is a flat 1.5 mile loop through the forest of Bull Run Regional Park. The address listed above is for the park itself, but if you enter “Bluebell Trail, Centreville, VA” into your GPS, it should take you more or less directly to the trail. If not, you can spot the well-marked entrance to it on your right shortly before reaching the Atlantis Waterpark parking lot on your left. You can certainly park in the Atlantis lot, but I wound up making a U-turn and parking in the lot I passed just before the Bluebell trailhead because that seemed a bit closer to me.

This was our first stop for bluebell viewing in 2022. Although we went in late March, there were still plenty of pretty blue buds to be seen. I can only imagine how beautiful this little trail will be in a week or two. Keep in mind that this is a flood plain trail, so you may want to wear hiking boots or other shoes you don’t mind getting muddy.

There are a couple of other places that I have heard or read about due to excellent Bluebell viewing opportunities. We have yet to visit the following sites for that purpose, but we do hope to do so in the future:

1. Merrimac Farm – 15014 Deepwood Ln, Nokesville, VA 20181

If you are looking for a Bluebell Festival that – unlike the one at Riverbend Park – is completely free, Merrimac Farm has got you covered. Click here to read about their upcoming festivities on Sunday, April 10th, or visit on non-festival days for a gorgeous blue-toned view without the crowds.

2. Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitor Center, 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA 20109

Apparently the bridge right by the Henry Hill Visitor’s Center and an adjacent trail offer lovely bluebell viewing. I’m sure the rangers inside the Visitor’s Center could help point you in the right direction.

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Have you gone bluebell viewing at any of the sites listed above? If so, I’d love to hear which one is your favorite in the comments. If you have suggestions that are not on the list, please feel free to share them as well – I’m always looking for new places to visit. Either way, Happy Bluebell Hunting!