John Marshall Birthplace Park
Though John Marshall, who served as a Culpeper Minuteman during the Revolutionary War, would go on to become chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, he had humble beginnings. See the log cabin in Germantown (now Midland) where he was born and learn more about his legacy at this park. // 5160 Germantown Road, Midland; 540-422-8870; fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-h-z/parks-and-recreation/facilities/parks/john-marshall-birthplace-park
Manassas National Battlefield Park
The first significant land skirmish of the Civil War, the First Battle of Bull Run/Manassas brought an important realization to those waging what would ultimately extend into four years of combat: The war would be long and bloody. The battle, one of the deadliest in U.S. history to that point, was fought here in 1861, with a Second Battle of Bull Run/Manassas to follow in 1862. // 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas; 703-361-1339; nps.gov/mana
Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
Walk an interpretive trail, watch living-history demonstrations and see a small national cemetery at this historic site in Leesburg, where dozens of Union soldiers were laid to rest. In the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, Northern soldiers under Gen. George McClellan were defeated in a Civil War battle in one of the largest Eastern Theater battles of 1861. // Ball’s Bluff Road, Leesburg; 703-737-7800; novaparks.com/parks/balls-bluff-battlefield-regional-park
FALL FUN: Free, guided battlefield tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays through November at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Goose Creek Historic Park
A two-century-old stone bridge, built as part of a private toll road in the early 1800s, played a key role in a series of Civil War battles that occurred nearby within four days: the 1863 battles of Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville. Visit the bridge and walk the trails in this scenic and historic setting. // State Route 832, Middleburg; 703-327-9777; novaparks.com/parks/battle-of-upperville-goose-creek-historic-park
Mt. Zion Historic Park
In 1851, the Mt. Zion Old School Baptist Church was constructed and would become a local player in the Civil War, used as a battle site, prison and hospital, among other purposes. Beside the church sits a cemetery that houses hundreds of marked and unmarked graves (some of them Civil War veterans) within its old stone wall and dozens of unmarked graves of African-American dead outside its walls. // 40309 John Mosby Highway, Aldie; 703-327-9777; novaparks.com/parks/mt-zion-historic-park
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
The battles of Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and the Wilderness are revisited at this national park in Fredericksburg. Combined, these battles injured or took the lives of roughly 100,000 Americans. Start at one of the two visitor centers (Fredericksburg or Chancellorsville) and get information on both driving and walking tours of the historical landscape. // 120 Chatham Lane, Fredericksburg; 540-693-3200; nps.gov/frsp
FALL FUN: Combining health and history, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania’s “Fit-History” hikes cover a lot of ground in addition to a lot of history across the park. // Oct. 13 and 27, 10 a.m.; free
Bull Run Regional Park
Centreville is home to this large park, which includes hiking trails, disc golf and a water park. It was also the site of the Battle of Blackburn’s Ford during the Civil War and is a trailhead for the Bull Run Occoquan Trail, which once served as a Civil War supply route, among other uses. // 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville; 703-631-0550; novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-regional-park
Aldie Mill Historic Park
The grist mill at this park is nearly 110 years old and was in operation until 1971. Today it is fully restored and visitors can watch live grinding demonstrations. In addition to once being the largest grist mill in Loudoun County, it holds some Civil War history as well. Confederate Army raider John Singleton Mosby captured several Union soldiers at the mill. // 39401 John Mosby Highway, Aldie; 703-327-9777; novaparks.com/parks/aldie-mill-historic-park
