CM Crockett Park

Crockett Park is a great place for the family. The park has horseshoe pits and a volleyball court, and rents equipment for them at very fair rates.
–Swimming is not allowed–
During our 2 hour visit, we saw turtles, a blue herron flying overhead, took a paddle boat for an hour ($ 10+photo ID), and played on the playground.
The park is free for county residents, and charges $ 6 for non-​residents.
We will be back, but next time we will bring fishing equipment (which can also be rented). I highly recommend this park for families. You can show up with a soccer ball, football, frisby, packed lunch… and not spend a dime.

We have my son’s birthday parties here every year. Shelters are greatly placed and most are in the shade areas. The mounted grills are so helpful. Nature trails are fun here. They are the perfect length and grade for kids and adults alike. Playground has expanded a lot since we first came. It’s nice. Volley ball and horseshoe pits. Bathrooms are nice. I have seen two wedding receptions here. Paddle boats are fun. They also have a snack shack. Easy to spot turtles, snakes, spiders and all that good stuff in nature. I love that they have carts available for you to carry all your stuff to your shelter. They also can pick up your guests in a golf cart and bring them to your shelter. Nice place. Large and quiet.

I’m almost reluctant to review Crockett Park because it’s one of the best kept secrets I know! I came here when I was a Girl Scout many years ago and my troop drove here around 8/​9pm to do some stargazing. The Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) was also there that night doing one of their public events and some of the members brought telescopes. They pointed out various celestial objects, constellations, and stars in the night sky to us — a very interactive and fun learning experience. Crockett Park has a large open field that offers unobstructued views of the night sky.
If you want to be able to see numerous stars and constellations, maybe even a planet or two, you have to drive out quite a ways from the light pollution of the city. Midland is about a 50 minute drive from the outer suburbs (like Fairfax) of D.C. The view is absolutely breathtaking. Prior to my visit here, I had never seen so many stars, constellations, nebula, meteors, or planets in the night sky. The sky was pitch black and glittered with millions and millions of twinkling lights. I could even see the Milky Way and it was such a spectacular sight looking at the glowing band arching across the sky. To think that there’s a place near D.C. where you can actually see the galaxy of our solar system is just so amazing.
NOVAC does monthly public viewings at Crockett Park (as well as Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane), so you can get a chance to stargaze and learn from experienced amateur astronomers about the night sky. These viewings happen on Saturday nights until 11pm, so you’re able to get into the park after dusk. You can bring your own binoculars or telescopes but it’s not needed. It cannot be stressed enough how gorgeous the view is. I highly recommend anyone with an interest in stargazing to come out to Crockett Park on a clear night and look up into the cosmos. An incredible, (literally) out of this world experience!

This is the best public lake and picnic area I have found in Virginia. It costs six dollars for each car. It is free if you reside in Fauquier County. The park is well maintained. There are picnic areas and even one spot by the water reserved for Seniors/​handicapped. There is neat play area for children, a snack bar, and boats for rent. There are canoes, flat boats and paddle boats. It is peaceful here at least in early Spring.