
There is no denying the star of Spring in D.C. and its surrounding areas is the Cherry Blossoms during peak bloom, but there’s another local bloom coming soon that many say they prefer! These are the beautiful little blue flowers called “Bluebells” that bloom along Bull Run’s aptly named hiking trail: “Bluebell Trail”.
What is special about Bluebell Trail?
Bluebell Trail is an easy one-and-a-half-mile loop trail just a 30-minute drive from D.C. that transforms into a picturesque paradise every year around mid to late spring, just after the
D.C. Cherry Blossoms’ Peak Bloom draws to a close. The iconic Bluebell flowers, after which the trail is named, famously line the path of the trail and beyond into the woods creating a sea blue and violet that leaves only the trail path itself without color.
In addition to these breathtaking Bluebells, there are nearly thirty other varieties of wildflowers that will all be in bloom around the same time and will be visible along the walking trail through the incredible Bull Run Regional Park.
The Bluebell Trail lies just off of the Bull Run Occoquan Trail near Atlantis Waterpark (which is also inside Bull Run Regional Park) and doesn’t take a significant amount of effort to complete; the trail is under two miles in total length as a loop, the terrain is mostly flat with only a few gentle slopes, and the dirt paths are quite compacted and clearly visible, which means that this is a great destination for people of all ages!
Things to know before you go – Bull Run Regional Park’s Bluebell Trail
Located around Centreville, VA, Bull Run Regional Park has roughly 1,500 acres of park and facilities making it a great space for a day outside with the family or with friends. A few fun things to do at Bull Run include:
- Hiking
- Camping (Cabins available + tent spaces)
- Disc Golf
- Visit Atlantic Waterpark
Fees associated with visiting Bull Run Regional Park
To enter Bull Run Regional Park there is a fee per vehicle and you can opt for any of the following rates:
- Per Day – $8
- Per week – $15
- Per day, shelter discount – $5
- Per day, 10 or more passengers – $12
- Annual Pass – $31
For Disc Golf:
- Per round, per person – $2
For Camping – family spaces:
For Sunday through Thursday:
- Electric site, 15/30 Amp service – $39 during peak season, $34 during non-peak season
- Electric site, 30 Amp with water – $48 during peak season, $39 during non-peak season
- Electric site, 50 Amp with water – $53 during peak season, $49 during non-peak season
- Full hook up, 30/50 Amp service – $67 during peak season, $62 during non-peak season
- Late check-out, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – $25 during peak season, $25 during non-peak season
For Friday, Saturday, Holidays & Sundays Prior to a holiday:
- Electric site, 15/30 Amp service – $43 during peak season, $34 during non-peak season
- Electric site, 30 Amp with water – $53 during peak season, $39 during non-peak season
- Electric site, 50 Amp with water – $58 during peak season, $49 during non-peak season
- Full hook up, 30/50 Amp service – $70 during peak season, $62during non-peak season
Peak season is defined as April through October, and non-peak season is November through March.
For Camping – rustic cabins
- Daily – $100 during peak season, $90 during non-peak season
- Weekly – $600 during peak season, $540 during non-peak season
The park’s hours of operation
The good news is that Bull Run Regional Park is open daily, from sunrise to sunset and the gatehouse is open from March 1st until October 31st. The important thing to know is that parking space is limited, so it’s better to arrive early if you do not want to wait for parking to open up, or if you want to experience the trail without too many others around.