Beaver Pond to Basin Overlook Out-and-Back

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail is doubletrack most of the way and has a mix of surfaces from sand and river rock to smooth dirt to rolling hills with lots of roots. The park does a good job of adding boardwalks where there are creeks and muddy areas.

A nice loop of the southeastern section of Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Civilian runners can get a daily or 90-day visitors pass at the Tulley Gate Visitors Center.

The sand and river rock are not my favorite trail running surfaces, but the rest was pretty good for running.

Starting at the Fort Belvoir Tulley Gate Visitors Center parking lot, head down the Beaver Pond Loop Trail to the Accotink Creek and take the sandy trail left without crossing the creek. Follow the trail along the creek until you see the arched footbridge and take a left up that section of the Beaver Pond Loop Trail until you see a sign for the Loop Trail at the first right.

Take the lower section of the Loop Trail to the Basin Trail where your out-and-back starts. Just about halfway to the end of the trail is a spur trail marked Basin Overlook where you get a better view of the bay. The Basin Trail ends at a gravel parking lot and then you turn around and head back. On your way back, take the upper section of the Loop Trail and Beaver Pond Loop Trail by staying to the right as the trail forks.

I saw some deer and raptors and there are certainly turtles and frogs along the creek.