Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve

A pleasant nature preserve and walk along the Potomac along the mount vernon trail. It's a bit of a walk from alexandria, but the bike ride is easy. The neighboring park has plenty of parking, facilities, and picnic tables. The trail is an easy short out and back along the river and a boardwalk through restored marsh land. Plenty of birds, flowers, snakes, and animals. Nice inlets for kayaking.

A beautiful wildlife reserve so close to everything else! There were multiple bald eagles and a barred owl! It was a wonderful place to walk around and is definitely worth visiting multiple times.

Although there's plenty of people, they generally seem respectful and it's not the kind of place where there's tons of kids running around and partying or people playing music. Just a quiet Waterfront Park.

I go to do bird photography, there's an osprey nest close to the marina and capturing pics of young Osprey and their parents is pretty easy at the right time of year. They hang out on the tree near the dock end on the little Inlet opposite the float, near the parking lot.

The main trail, called The Haul Road trail, has an eagle's nest not far from the bench in the middle of the trail, you'll pass a clearing on the right and then the tree is at the end of it.

There are also owls, and while I have made many visits without seeing one, my most recent trip I saw a barred owl hanging out on the road leading to the parking lot, and there's a great horned owl that's pretty hard to spot but you'll usually see some photographers trying to find a good angle. There are also babies this spring, but they're almost impossible to spot most of the time.

The trail is easy and flat and it's good for someone trying to get in shape. It's less than a mile each way, has a few benches along the way, and ends in a walkway by the water. There's also a few short detours on the way where you can sit on a log and just chill out by the marsh.

Overall it's just a really pleasant area and probably my favorite place to go birding. It's not particularly woodsy or away from civilization, you can see the city a ways across the water, but it still feels like a nice oasis.

A lovely walk to begin my day with. Its a very scenic and spectacular river view as you hike. Plenty of information about Marsh and wild habitat that we find here. People do come for birdwatching, it’s so peaceful and soothing to hear the chirping of different birds as you walk. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Plenty of parking options available. Walk until the very lookout point, you can also find people working out there.
I would love to visit this place every single day. Highly recommended

Great place to get some exercise (dogs welcome as long as they are on a leash) and see a variety of birds. There is also a picnic area. Plenty of parking.

One of my favorite walks. Different during every season. This time it was for the different sunflowers turning the marsh into a beautiful yellow carpet. Such a lovely sight and walk. Lots of parking and very popular. Loved by humans and dogs alike. River views are spectacular.

A gorgeous place to find peace in. There is fishing and boating available with a short hiking path. Went on a misty day with a little drizzle, saw no one there. Highly recommend if your into wetlands and some peace and quiet.