Commonly referred to as the W&OD Trail, the park is a 45-mile bicycle and pedestrian path that runs from Alexandria through Ashburn and out to Purcellville. There are multiple access points, and the address provided is for the park office. There are two paths along the trail through Ashburn, a horse-friendly gravel surface and another made of asphalt. At certain places along the trail, patrons may find restrooms or even a machine with cold drinks. In addition to walkers, joggers and bicyclers, horses are sometimes seen along the trail. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
Trains travelled from 1859 until 1968 along the path. Dominion purchased the right-of-way for electric transmission lines. Then, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority obtained the park from Dominion Power in 1982.
While the park authority purchased the land from Dominion, the power company retained an easement along the trail for future transmission lines, resulting in multiple feuds over the years as residents fought power line expansions along the trail.