Leopold's Preserve Trail System

/

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 Upload a Photo

Located 35 miles west of Washington, DC in an area impacted by suburban development, Leopold’s Preserve has become a natural oasis for humans and wildlife alike. The property is protected in perpetuity under a conservation easement. Its 7-mile trail system is free to access and open to the public daily, allowing visitors to connect with natural habitats, historic landscapes, and recreational opportunities. Along the way, 35 interpretive sign boards provide information about local ecology and history.

The 380-acre Preserve is owned and managed by the White House Farm Foundation (WHFF), a nonprofit educational foundation with a focus on conservation and local history. The property is permanently protected under a conservation easement held by the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. Public access to the property is enshrined in the Preserve’s conservation easement, which states “The purposes of this Easement are […] to protect and enhance the existing flora and fauna on the Property and to provide for hiking, non-motorized recreation, and educational opportunities via natural trails that will be open to the public.”

The trails at Leopold’s Preserve are open from dawn until dusk. They can be accessed from two gravel parking lots, located at 16290 Thoroughfare Road, Broad Run, VA 20137. Trail amenities include: a portable toilet located in the larger (east) parking lot; a pet waste station located in the larger (east) parking lot; large maps of the trail system located at each public trailhead; and more than a dozen benches sited in scenic locations along the trails. The trails are designed for access by foot only – runners, dog walkers, and hikers are welcome. Pets must be leashed at all times. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are strictly prohibited.

The trail system features two ADA-compliant observation platforms and 600' of paved trail suitable for wheelchair users. The paved trail is adjacent to two van-accessible paved parking spaces in the smaller (west) parking lot. All other sections of the trail are “natural surface”, including hard-packed earth, mowed grass, mulch, and gravel surfaces. The trails are wide and have limited elevation gain, making them ideal for visitors who face mobility challenges or simply want to take an easy walk.

The longest and most popular trail in the system is “Leopold’s Loop”, a 4-mile loop trail which takes visitors through the majority of the Preserve’s habitats – including meadows, old-growth forests, and a significant portion of the North Fork of Broad Run. At its approximate midpoint, the trail crosses a 4-lane road, Market Ridge Boulevard. There is a standard marked sidewalk crossing at this location and a push button that signals the traffic lights at the intersection.

Other popular trails include the 0.65-mile Wood Duck way, the 0.5-mile Warbler Way, and 0.25-mile Meadow Loop. Some of the most secluded and scenic spots in the Preserve can be found on the south side of the property, including the 0.2-mile Wood Frog Loop and 0.8-mile Pinkard’s Loop. A map of all trails is available for download at leopoldspreserve.com/trail-map.

WHFF employs a full-time Park Manager who oversees maintenance and improvements to the Leopold’s Preserve trail system. This ensures that the trails are maintained to a very high standard and that all maintenance issues are addressed promptly. A network of volunteer “Trail Ambassadors” conduct regular assessments of trail conditions and report issues to WHFF’s staff team.

WHFF sponsors dozens of educational programs at Leopold’s Preserve each year, including guided naturalist hikes, homeschool programs, forest bathing, and an annual Fall Festival. WHFF also hosts weekly volunteer workdays where members of the public can assist with maintenance and improvement projects at the Preserve. In 2024, WHFF was honored to host 161 volunteers who contributed more than 1,200 hours towards projects at the Preserve. A calendar of public events is available on the Leopold’s Preserve website.

Leopold’s Preserve is part of the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, a group of sites curated by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources that recognizes the best places for bird- and wildlife-watching in the Commonwealth. 127 acres of the Preserve’s mature forests have also been honored with membership in the Old-Growth Forest Network.

Leopold’s Preserve was created through a unique “conservation-minded development” model. A real estate developer purchased a 500-acre tract of land in 2010. The developer carved out a portion of the property for a high-density clustered residential community (the Villages of Piedmont), then protected the balance of the land for conservation and public enjoyment. This protected area is now Leopold’s Preserve.