Name: Scott's Run Nature Preserve - Outer Loop
Rating: 3.8

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Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall

Overview

Tucked in a corner between 495 and Georgetown Pike is Scott's Run Nature Preserve. It has many trails and many more (and confusing) connector trails. This hike takes you from the main parking lot up to the Scott's Run Waterfall, along the Potomac River and past the secondary parking lot before returning to your car.

Need to Know

The named trails all have colored blazed while the connectors (of which there are many) do not. Fortunately the are numerous trail maps which can help you get your bearings. Or just bring your phone and the Hiking Project mobile app.

Description

Beginning at the main parking area follow the Potomac Heritage Trail - Scott's Run north. This is a wide, easy path with two creek crossings. Both have stepping stones as the water is almost always high enough to require them.

After finding the Scott's Run Waterfall, you'll turn east along the Potomac River. This trail is has a lot more roots and rocks so watch your footing. Slowing down may be required in some areas.

Before the Potomac Heritage Trail - Scott's Run dumps you out into a neighborhood; you'll need to take a connector trail to the right which bring you to the Oak Trail. There will be a trail map at the intersection if you're confused. Follow the Oak Trail until turning right on the Stubblefield Falls Overlook Trail. This trail brings you down to the smaller parking lot where you'll turn right again and follow the Parking Lot Connector Trail back to your car.

The interior of the Preserve has some nice views and nicely maintained trails. Bring the Hiking Project mobile app and explore it.

Contacts

Land Manager: Fairfax County, VA - Park Authority

Shared By:

Chris Kroehler

Full Details

Trail Ratings

3.8 from 22 votes

#1

in Scott's Run Nature Preserve

#2401

Overall

3.8 from 22 votes

5 Star		18%
4 Star		64%
3 Star		9%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		9%

Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Scott's Run Nature Pre…

#63

in Virginia

#2,401

Overall

24 Views Last Month

10,863 Since Sep 1, 2017

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Photos

Mar 9, 2020 near McLean, VA

Jan 23, 2017 near McLean, VA

Jan 6, 2019 near McLean, VA

Jun 16, 2020 near McLean, VA

Stubblefield Falls Overlook provides a nice view of both the falls and the Potomac.

Feb 27, 2017 near McLean, VA

Smiles abound as we hike the Potomac Heritage Trail at Scott's Run Nature Preserve.

Feb 27, 2017 near McLean, VA

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 24, 2024

Hannah Stewart

Oct 12, 2022

Stephanie T

After work hike with kones!

Aug 27, 2022

Matthew Hash

Apr 28, 2022

Jonathan Fitch

Mar 26, 2022

Katherine Kloecker

3.1mi — 1h 15m

Feb 26, 2022

Josephine Chuang

Dec 15, 2021

Will Heinle

Mar 22, 2021

Cody K

2.5mi

Dec 28, 2020

Glen Sears

Finn & Glen Hike & Picnic on Scott's Run River Trail 1.5mi — 0h 55m

Oct 3, 2020

Nikita Sheth

1h 30m

Sep 23, 2020

Nick Mariotti

3.9mi — 2h 00m

Aug 1, 2020

Sarah Miller

with Felix! Crowded, lots of people at the falls. we started at the east parking lot (no parking, good thing we took an uber), didnt get away from… 3.2mi — 2h 00m

Feb 29, 2020

Abraham Padilla

3.1mi — 0h 41m

Feb 8, 2020

Angel B

Sep 7, 2019

Paul Hyland

3mi

Apr 20, 2019

Christina Lotspike

Apr 6, 2019

Jenee' Saunders

Mar 24, 2019

Andres Cottin

used connector trail for last section 3mi — 1h 11m

Mar 23, 2019

Brad Wilson

2.9mi

Jan 1, 2019

Brian Knight

Suuuuuuper muddy and slippery this morning. Got to the Swinks Mill trailhead lot just before 8am and was one of the first cars there! Was jammed later 3mi

Nov 28, 2018

Kristina Gilday

Nov 17, 2018

Kayla Austin

1.5mi

Nov 10, 2018

Shannon Woodacre

Nov 4, 2018

Michael Podguski

Did a little under two miles round trip from the West parking area to the Falls and back. Lovely fall leaves. Gorgeous 1.8mi

Oct 28, 2018

Aleksandras Nakutis

Oct 24, 2018

Kristina Gilday

Oct 21, 2018

Matthew DeLaney

Sep 29, 2018

Michael Jugan

Aug 19, 2018

Sai Nguyen

Aug 19, 2018

Sandra Guillermo

Aug 18, 2018

Silvia Reyna

Done ✔

Jul 9, 2018

Ari Kalfus

Jul 4, 2018

William Smiley

3.2mi

Jul 2, 2018

LostDuck Hiker

May 12, 2018

Steven Bergman

May 4, 2018

Peter Hanson

Feb 23, 2018

Savannah Brown

3.2mi

Jan 20, 2018

Anna A

Nov 24, 2017

David Carlson

Nov 5, 2017

Duck7 LostDuck

Nov 4, 2017

Ambar .

3.5mi

Sep 16, 2017

P G

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Scott's Run Nature Preserve - Outer Loop

“A nice and easy loop around the nature preserve. ”

3.2

5.2

Loop

315' 96 m

66' 20 m

348' 106 m

319' 97 m

4%

13%