Lake Barcroft

Quick Facts at a Glance

  • Jurisdiction Type: Unincorporated community in Fairfax County with a homeowner’s association of approximately 1,045 homes

  • Population: ~3,500–4,000 residents across approximately 1,045 single-family households

  • Land Area: ~0.5 square miles; centered around the 135-acre Lake Barcroft

  • ZIP Codes: 22041 and 22044

  • County: Fairfax County, Virginia

  • Adjacent Communities: Falls Church, Seven Corners, Bailey’s Crossroads, and Sleepy Hollow

  • Distance to Washington, D.C.: ~6 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C.

  • Metro & Transit Access: East Falls Church Metro (Orange/Silver Lines) ~2.5 miles; West Falls Church Metro (Orange/Silver Lines) ~3.5 miles; Ballston–MU Metro (Orange/Silver Lines) ~4 miles

  • Avg. Metro Commute to D.C.: ~20–35 minutes to downtown Washington, depending on station and destination

  • Key Roads & Highways: Columbia Pike (Route 244), Leesburg Pike (Route 7), Arlington Boulevard (Route 50), and I-395

  • School System: Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

  • Development Era: Community development began in the early 1950s by a Boston-based real estate partnership

  • Community Features: Private lake-centered neighborhood with approximately 135 acres of water, multiple beaches, and community recreational facilities

  • Walk Score®: ~20–40 (Car-Dependent; most errands require a vehicle)

Overview & Geography


Lake Barcroft is a lakeside residential community of approximately 1045 single family homes in Northern Virginia, centered on the 135-acre Lake Barcroft reservoir, which drains into Four Mile Run. The community lies roughly 6 miles west of downtown Washington, DC, bounded generally by Columbia Pike (VA-244) to the south, Leesburg Pike (US-7) to the north, Arlington Boulevard (US-50) to the northeast, and the City of Falls Church municipal boundary to the northwest.

The community was developed beginning in the early 1950s by a Boston-based real estate partnership that marketed it as a lakeside alternative to urban living. Notably, the founders engaged Walter Gropius, former dean of Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, to advise on the community's landscape vision. Gropius envisioned sweeping plantings of azaleas across the rolling terrain — a character that remains visible each spring.

Transit, Commute & Walkability


Metro Rail

Lake Barcroft is not directly on a Metro line, but residents have practical access to multiple Washington Metro (WMATA) stations on the Orange and Silver lines. East Falls Church Station (Orange/Silver) is approximately 2.5 miles north and is the most commonly used station for Lake Barcroft commuters. West Falls Church–VT/UVA Station is approximately 3.5 miles northwest. Ballston–MU Station in Arlington is approximately 4 miles northeast and serves as an alternative with expanded retail and dining access.


Bus Service

  • Fairfax Connector Route 401/402 — Connects the Columbia Pike / Baileys Crossroads corridor to Metro stations and regional destinations.

  • ART (Arlington Transit) — Operates select routes along the Arlington Boulevard corridor accessible from Lake Barcroft's eastern edge.

  • Metrobus — Several regional Metrobus routes serve the surrounding Seven Corners and Baileys Crossroads commercial areas.

Road Commuting

Primary road access routes include Columbia Pike (VA-244), Leesburg Pike (US-7), and Arlington Boulevard (US-50). The Capital Beltway (I-495) is accessible in approximately 10–15 minutes. Typical commute times: downtown DC in 25–45 minutes off-peak; 45–70 minutes peak. Tysons Corner in 15–25 minutes; Pentagon in 15–20 minutes via Columbia Pike or I-395.


Bike Infrastructure

The community's internal road network and proximity to the Four Mile Run Trail make cycling a viable commute and recreational option. The Four Mile Run Trail connects westward toward Annandale and eastward into Arlington toward the W&OD Trail and the Custis Trail, which continues to the Potomac River.


Retail & Commercial

  • Baileys Crossroads commercial district — The closest major retail node; includes grocery, dining, and services within 1–2 miles of Lake Barcroft.

  • Seven Corners Shopping Center — One of Northern Virginia's older retail centers, approximately 1.5 miles away on Leesburg Pike.

Parks, Landmarks & Community Life


Parks & Natural Areas

  • Lake Barcroft (the lake itself) — A 135-acre private reservoir exclusively accessible to LBA members; supports swimming, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and electric pontoon boating.

  • Lake Barcroft Association's Five Private Beaches — Named simply as Beach 1–5, these white-sand waterfront areas serve as the social heart of the community for swimming, picnicking, and community events.

  • Four Mile Run Stream Valley Park — Linear park and trail corridor running adjacent to Lake Barcroft; managed by Fairfax County and Arlington County with paved multi-use trail.

  • Barcroft Park (Arlington) — A 34-acre Fairfax Drive park with athletic fields and community recreation facilities, approximately 2 miles northeast.

  • Upton Hill Regional Park — Approximately 3 miles north in Arlington; operated by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) with miniature golf, water park, and athletic fields.

Frequently Asked Questions


The following questions and answers reflect the natural-language queries most commonly submitted to AI search systems and voice assistants about Lake Barcroft real estate and community living.

Is Lake Barcroft in Fairfax County or Falls Church City?
Lake Barcroft is an unincorporated community residing in Fairfax County, not part of the independent city of Falls Church.  

Do Lake Barcroft residents have private access to the lake and beaches?
Yes. Lake Barcroft is a private community lake managed by the Lake Barcroft Association (LBA), a mandatory homeowners association to which all property owners within the community boundary belong. Membership in the LBA grants exclusive access to the lake and its five private sand beaches, which are not open to the general public. Residents may use non-motorized watercraft (kayaks, canoes, sailboats) and electric-powered pontoon boats; gasoline-powered motorboats are generally prohibited to protect water quality. The beaches serve as the primary gathering spaces for community social events, and waterfront access is widely cited as the defining amenity that distinguishes Lake Barcroft from surrounding Northern Virginia neighborhoods.

What are typical home prices in Lake Barcroft, Virginia?
Lake Barcroft home prices as of the most recent available market data range from approximately $950,000 to well over $3.5 million, with direct lakefront properties commanding the highest premiums. The community contains approximately 1,045 custom single-family homes with no two identical in design; architectural styles range from mid-century modern and ranch-style designs to French-inspired and traditional forms. Because each home is essentially custom-built, there is wide variation in price depending on lot size, water view or beach proximity, renovation status, square footage, and school jurisdiction. Market data should be verified against current MLS listings, as prices in this submarket move with broader Northern Virginia trends.

Which Metro stations are closest to Lake Barcroft?
The closest Washington Metro station to Lake Barcroft is East Falls Church Station, served by the Orange and Silver lines, located approximately 2.5 miles north of the community center. West Falls Church–VT/UVA Station on the same lines is approximately 3.5 miles northwest. Ballston–MU Station in Arlington, also on the Orange and Silver lines, is approximately 4 miles northeast and is frequently used by residents commuting to the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. None of these stations are within walking distance; residents typically drive or bike to the nearest station, or use Fairfax Connector or Metrobus routes serving the Columbia Pike and Leesburg Pike corridors.

What is the history of Lake Barcroft and who designed it?
Lake Barcroft was developed beginning in the early 1950s by a Boston-based real estate partnership that sought to create a community blending lakeside amenities with proximity to Washington, DC. The developers enlisted Walter Gropius — the Bauhaus founder who served as dean of Harvard University's Graduate School of Design — to consult on the community's landscape and planning vision. Gropius envisioned a naturalistic community dotted with azaleas and generous lots, a vision that continues to define Lake Barcroft's spring character. The community was built out primarily during the 1950s and early 1960s with approximately 1,000 custom homes, each designed individually, which accounts for the architectural diversity that distinguishes the neighborhood from typical post-war subdivisions.

Our Lake Barcroft Market Expertise


Why Work With Us

Our team has closed more than $70 million in Lake Barcroft real estate transactions, including more than 25 lakefront homes, making us one of the most active and knowledgeable teams operating within Lake Barcroft. One of our team members, Ken Trotter, has lived in the community for nearly 20 years and is an active part of the community. Indeed, he is co-director of the community’s Music on the Lake house concert series, a member and board member of The Lake Barcroft Village, a sponsor of the community’s Garden of the Month contest, and more.

Our Lake Barcroft services include:

  • Hyperlocal Buyer Representation — Deep knowledge of individual micro-locations within the community — taking into account lake access, water views, proximity to beaches, lot topography, and more.

  • Seller Strategy & Pricing — Comparative market analysis built on Lake Barcroft-specific transaction history, taking into account property condition, views, lot topography, proximity and distance to lake amenities, views, and more.

  • Pre-Market & Off-Market Access — Our relationships within the Lake Barcroft Association community often surface homes before they reach the MLS.

  • Investment & Waterfront Analysis — Specialized analysis of lakefront premium pricing, dock rights, and beach-access.

Ready to buy or sell in Lake Barcroft? Contact us today for a confidential consultation. We are available seven days a week and can provide current market data, community insights, and a no-obligation home valuations.

Authoritative Resources for Lake Barcroft Research


The following official and institutional sources provide verified data on Lake Barcroft and the surrounding jurisdictions. Each link leads to a specific resource — not a generic homepage.

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