NOVAC members have special after-hours access to the Meadowood Special Recreation Area in Lorton, VA, through an agreement with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This site offers three separate observing areas with reasonably dark skies within convenient distance for many members in the Northern Virginia area.

Address:

BLM Lower Potomac Field Station 10406 Gunston RD Lorton, VA 22079-3922

Please visit the Meadowood BLM website for directions, park rules, and general area information.

Site Coordinator: Kevin Lindsey, lindsey.kevin@gmail.com BLM Coordinator: Ryan Jackson, rsjackson@blm.gov

Access Procedure

BLM requires members to notify the local office before any visit. An email to the BLM Coordinator Ryan Jackson, rsjackson@blm.gov, on the same day as the visit is acceptable.  State date, time and the Meadowood site(s) where you plan to observe.  Please copy members@m.novac.com to let the site coordinator and other club members know your plan. After your visit a short observing report posted to members@m.novac.com would be welcomed by many members!

Gates to Hidden Pond and Giles Run are locked.  Please re-lock the gates even if you find the gate unlocked when you arrive.  Do not leave the gates unsecured at any time.

Remember to bring your NOVAC Observing Pass and a copy of the email you receive confirming your night visit to the park. This will help if your presence in the park is questioned by law enforcement.

Click here to read the Letter of Agreement that includes maps showing parking areas.

Meadowood Observing Sites and Coordinates

Mustang Trailhead (not locked)

Coordinates: N 38.6688, W 77.1883
What3Words: misfit.jumpy.driving

Located at the corner of Gunston Road and Harley Road. This large open field (approx. 1000’ x 1000’) is ideal for observing. Vehicles must remain in the parking lot; setup is allowed anywhere in the field. Porta-johns generally are not available; there is a pavilion near the lot that members can use in the event of inclement weather. Members are invited to set up anywhere in the field, but vehicles may not be driven onto the field itself. There are three porta-johns at the parking lot as well as a large pavilion that can be used in the event of rain. Please note there is nighttime traffic on Gunston Road, so members may wish to set up in one of the low-lying dips for protection against oncoming headlights. Parking is at the corner of Gunston Rd. and Harley Rd.

Hidden Pond (lock combination: 1776)

Coordinates: N 38.6659, W 77.2066
What3Words: pocket.stretcher.toothpaste

Accessed via Belmont Boulevard, this former pasture is approximately 500’ x 300’. A service road runs from the parking lot along the heavily wooded areas surrounding this site. Club members may wish to set up well away from the trees in order to see all parts of the sky. BLM has requested that members not drive their vehicles onto the field or off the service road. The ground can be soft and there are deep post holes in the open areas and remnants of a series of fences recently taken down by the U.S. Army. There is one porta-john at this location. The parking lot is 1.0 miles past Gunston Rd. headed S down Belmont Blvd. Drive up the access road that runs from the lot to the field.

Giles Run (lock combination: 1776)

Coordinates: N 38.6782, W 77.2197
What3Words: yappy.fixed.harsh

A 10-acre irregular field accessed from Old Colchester Road. Vehicles may be driven to the site via the service road, but members must stay off the two control-line Concrete flying circles that are reserved for a model airplane club. Parking is just past the Giles Run Trailhead gate, 0.5 miles south of Gunston Road. There are no porta-johns at Giles run but there are 3 at Mustang Trailhead and one at Hidden Pond.