Arlington County is a county in the state of Virginia. The county is located in northern Virginia on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River, directly across from the District of Columbia. Arlington is linked to Washington by five bridges: George Mason, Theodore Roosevelt, Rochambeau Memorial, Francis Scott Key, and Arlington Memorial.
Arlington County was first established as Bellehaven County before being given to the federal government in 1789. At that time, it became part of the District of Columbia. The county was restored to Virginia in 1846 and renamed Arlington in 1920. The county has no cities or towns by statute. In 1922, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that Arlington is a continuous, contiguous, and homogenous entity that cannot be partitioned or acquired by adjacent jurisdictions. Arlington County government performs city and county services, making it one of the few urban unitary forms of government in the United States. It encompasses 24 square miles, of which approximately 20% is federal land inhabited by Arlington National Cemetery, Washington National Airport, Fort Myer, the Pentagon, and other government agencies.
Arlington has a population of 238,643 people according to the 2020 census. The population density was 8,853 persons per square mile, the second-highest population density in Virginia. Arlington was rated as the best area to retire, according to a 2016 report by Bankrate.com. The study's criteria included cost of living, violent and property crime rates, walkability, health care quality, state and local tax rates, weather, local culture, and senior citizen well-being. Arlington was voted among the healthiest places to live in 2021.
The county is home to several key national monuments and memorials. Arlington's neighborhoods are also home to various unique attractions and experiences that are fascinating, off the beaten path, and maybe unexpected. You may want to visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, and the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. After that, explore Arlington's lovely eateries and cafés, trendy boutiques, a nationally acclaimed theater, and intimate live music venues.
There are a ton of fantastic RV parks and campgrounds to select from when traveling in Arlington County. One of the most well-known is Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina. The campground is located on the banks of the Bush River, near Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It provides a pleasant stay on the beach or beside the pool. There are golf courses, vineyards, craft breweries, and the Ripken Stadium and Ladew Gardens nearby. It is also close to a shopping center and has full hookups available.
Another wonderful RV campground is Cosca Regional Park in Clinton, Maryland. It features established play spaces as well as natural hiking trails. The park also features boat rentals, picnic spaces with shelters, a snack bar, and tennis courts. Cosca Regional Park is open daily. There are showers provided at the campsite, and pets are welcome.
You can also find family-oriented campgrounds such as Ramblin' Pines RV Park & Family Campground in Woodbine, Maryland. Fishing, a jumping pillow, an exercise facility, organized events, and live entertainment are all available at the RV Park. Security is also provided. It offers a camp store, cable television, and laundry facilities as well.
Smallwood State Park is another wonderful place to visit while touring the Arlington vicinity. Named after a Revolutionary War officer, General William Smallwood, the 628-acre park is located along the Potomac River. Smallwood State Park combines historic preservation with a modern outdoor experience. There are 15 RV-friendly campsites in the park. Fire rings, picnic tables, power connections, and lantern posts are at each site. You'll also like the view of the woodland region, which provides shade and hiking routes. If you prefer being outside, you'll appreciate the park's location. It allows you to paddle the water path and rest on a pontoon along Mattawoman Creek.
Another great destination is Gambrill State Park. The park is near Arlington and is surrounded by natural beauty and tranquility of nature. Gambrill State Park is home to a rich animal population. It covers 1,207 acres of Catoctin Mountain and draws people for its views and serenity. The campground in Gambrill State Park has 16 spacious and private RV campsites, each with a fire ring, a lantern post, and a picnic table.
The Patapsco Valley State Park is another beautiful place to visit if you enjoy the outdoors. Each season adds fresh hues to the park, making Patapsco River State Park the ideal site to observe the seasons change. Hiking, running, bicycling, and horseback riding across the park's approximately 200 miles of trails allow you to take in the breathtaking environment. You may also fish for trout and bass, paddle a canoe, or take a cool dip in the Patapsco River.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial is a historical site that holds an intriguing and rich history. In the 1700s and 1800s, the island housed a private plantation, a Civil War hospital, and a leisure area. Additionally, the Mason Mansion remains still exists. It formerly served as a guest house for King Louis of France, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. The major draw of the Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial is the hiking trails. Bring your walking shoes and take in the big trees' shady canopy. This peaceful park is also ideal for the whole family, whether you want to relax by the fountains or go on a stroll or trail run.
Another site to visit is the Arlington House and Robert E. Lee Memorial. The site explores the life of the Confederate leader and acts as a study center for various essential themes in American history. This encompasses the history of enslaved people in America, military service, citizenship, and allegiance in the United States. If you're heading to the national site, you should start with a tour of the Arlington House. It has a lot of history to offer as the former home of Robert E. Lee. You will also gain unique insights into the Civil War era. The Arlington National Cemetery, which is part of the site, includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and John F. Kennedy's gravesite. The operation hours differ according to the season.
Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove is a fantastic site near Arlington. Here, you'll see large white pine trees and a calm meadow area. The Mount Vernon Trail runs through the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac, giving it an excellent car-free zone to cycle. Additionally, the Boundary Channel runs along the park's perimeter and is a great area to go kayaking.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests is a great place to visit when you want to see nature up close. The region is home to around 40 tree species, most of which are pines or hardwoods. The forests also support over 2,000 plant species, over 100 fish and mussel species, and over 200 bird species. There are various campsites available with varying fees and facilities. Additional pathways for hiking and cycling are found throughout the woodland. While exploring the gorgeous forest, you may identify flora and fauna, fish, geocache, and even stargaze.
Another great place to visit if you're looking to enjoy the outdoors is Allegheny National Forest. The forest contains various plateaus and valleys. There are several possibilities to see some of the forest's more than 300 animal species. With specific regulations and limits, geocaching is permitted in most sections of Allegheny National Forest. There are numerous possibilities to observe the night sky with low light pollution. There is no entrance charge to the forest. However, fees or licenses may be required for specific day-use locations, OHV trails, and other recreational activities.
Monongahela National Forest is another beautiful and enjoyable spot in the region. This is one of the most diversified national forests thanks to its contrasting precipitation patterns generated by the considerable changes in elevation within the preserve. Monongahela National Forest offers several recreational options. You will also be able to witness over 75 different tree types, 225 different bird species, and a variety of other animals. On clear evenings, the park provides excellent views of the night sky and several geocaches to discover. Although Monongahela National Forest is open all year, certain recreation areas and other sections of the forest may be closed during the winter or for safety concerns. It is important to note that there is a time limit for camping in the woods. Campers may stay at their campground for a maximum of 14 days.
Located 65 miles from Arlington, Shenandoah National Park is a classic long mountain range you need to visit. The park encompasses a large portion of the state's Blue Ridge Mountains and is home to various plants, fauna, forests, waterfalls, and peaks reaching over 4,000 feet in height. You will enjoy a variety of outdoor recreational possibilities, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, and horseback riding. In addition, the park organizes various special events and ranger-led programs that can help you learn more about the area's unique history and scenery.
Another popular national park is New River Gorge National Park, 294 miles from Arlington. This West Virginia wilderness, which includes the great New River, comprises a vast and vibrant 70,000 acres of countryside and offers an assortment of both land- and water-based recreational options. It is distinguished by its carved-out river canyon, which is lush with Appalachian vegetation. Hiking is one of the main reasons people come to this beautiful historic river canyon in the first place.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is another beautiful and unique national park located 349 miles from Arlington. The landscape comprises dense woods, sloping hills, narrow ravines, marshes, and rivers. Cuyahoga Valley features organized events that regularly happen if you're seeking in-park activities. While hiking is one of the most popular activities in the park, there are also lots of other enjoyable activities to attempt, such as bird-watching, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, picnics, stargazing, golfing, horseback riding, and cycling.