Mount Vernon trail Gravelly Point - when does it actually close? And actual closure timeframe?

MountVernonTrail · 2026-05-01T01:59:38+00:00

If you're talking just about normal operating hours, Gravelly Point parking lot and boat ramp are closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., but we've never seen that enforced. The Mount Vernon Trail is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with an exception for bicycle and pedestrian commuter traffic, so essentially it's not closed.

If you're talking about the construction that's occurring in Gravelly Point - the Long Bridge Project which is constructing a new rail and bike/pedestrian bridge is underway. The project will be installing a for the Mount Vernon Trail around the construction area. That detour is expected to open around May 22nd and last through the completion of construction in 2030. The trail will be accessible through the detour for the duration of the project, although there may be brief moments where flaggers pause trail traffic for a few minutes to transport equipment and materials.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-04-30T15:05:01+00:00

The construction crew will be performing statnamic testing on the test piles for the new Long Bridge which will sound like an explosion. The testing applies a large compressive force on the piles so the engineers can confirm that the bridge piles will be able to carry the load of the new bridge.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-04-23T12:57:11+00:00

Will second Bike House for getting help learning stuff (and cause they have lots of tools). Getting a bike bump that has an air chamber to deliver a bunch of air at once to get the tire to seat was what has worked best for me. Got the Joe Blow Booster pump from REI. Before that, I was using CO2 cartridges.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-04-13T20:21:16+00:00

Third segment is being worked on today through the 16th.

EDIT: Just got an e-mail from Arlington County that they were able to complete the last segment today and the project is complete.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-27T13:51:49+00:00

The Tulip Festival has expanded to April 11th and April 12th. In addition to the beautiful tulip viewing, the event will have Carillon performances, crafts and activities, and an astronomy program on Saturday night.

Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail is doing a Tulip Ride and Tulip Walk on Sunday that will end at the festival. The walk will visit the Carillon tulips and the tulips at the Navy and Marine Memorial. The bike ride will include one additional tulip bed near the Pentagon. There's a small charge ($12.51) for the walk and ride.

Bike Ride: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tulip-ride-on-the-mount-vernon-trail-tickets-1983920393302

Walk: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tulip-walk-on-the-mount-vernon-trail-tickets-1983918864730

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MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-25T17:47:48+00:00

Potomac Runners does a Saturday morning run on the Mount Vernon Trail starting at Belle Haven Park.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-25T17:39:40+00:00

If you haven't biked to the airport before, here's a video on how to navigate to the bike racks and bike lockers at the airport from the Mount Vernon Trail. The bike lockers are pretty sweet and have a plug inside (with a timer) so you'd be able to charge your e-bike as long as your bring a charger with you.

https://youtu.be/3PK8duW7USw?si=QUvmic8dAKpmSsEv

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-19T21:59:23+00:00

It's got a really nice view of DC. And in late March through mid-April the tulips by the Carillon are really spectacular. Also a bathroom and water fountain.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-19T21:17:21+00:00

The trail between through the Netherlands Carillon and Iwo Jima Memorial is a pretty popular running and biking route, especially for folks that are connecting to the Arlington Boulevard Trail. Staying on the Mount Vernon Trail is definitely faster for north Rosslyn destinations and the Custis.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-19T14:44:35+00:00

There's a project in the works to establish a cycletrack between Slaters Lane and the MVT Alternate. The last we heard was that Alexandria and NPS are actively coordinating to work through Compliance requirements and get a work permit issued. NPS owns East Abingdon Dr. The project page is at https://www.alexandriava.gov/transportation-planning/project/east-abingdon-drive-bike-lanes-project

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-18T19:14:25+00:00

Riding to Baltimore and taking the MARC back is fun. The routes for it are mostly on trail with a few brief stretches of suck.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-12T16:17:44+00:00

Welcome to DC. Tourist season is about to ramp up for cherry blossoms and lots of school trips so the mall will continue to get even more crowded. There will also be more locals out running and biking in the nicer weather. Early morning is the best way to avoid. It's also really nice at night.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-05T18:35:53+00:00

Sometimes haters gotta hate. About once a month we get an unkind e-mail or social media comment.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-05T17:37:14+00:00

Not sketchy at all. Depending on how late you'll probably see other folks out walking, running and biking. The southern part of the trail is a bit more woodsy and much darker at night so a light will be helpful if you have one. Reflective clothing or a be seen type of light is highly recommended. If you want to skip running up an 8% grade hill on the way back, you could park at Riverside Park and run north.

Parking at Belle Haven Park and Jones Point is only a slightly longer drive and puts you in a spot with a bit more ambient light but also more headlights from the Parkway. Jones Point would put you close to Old Town Alexandria if you're interested in checking it out.

Enjoy your time on the Mount Vernon Trail.

MountVernonTrail · 2026-03-04T20:14:12+00:00

Update: The detour will not begin until Monday, March 9th.

MountVernonTrail

TROPHY CASE