Directions and Travel Information
GEORGETOWN: Thompson's Boat Center
GEORGETOWN: Practice
Thompson Boat Center in Washington, DC is located next to the Watergate, just off the Rock Creek Parkway at the foot of Virginia Avenue, NW. Note different directions for rush hour and non-rush hour.
Going to (and arriving at) Thompson's before evening rush hour (4:00 pm - 6:15 pm, M-F): Cross the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge, staying left. Exit left (toward E St.) and stay left to get onto the Whitehurst Freeway. Again, get into the left lane and follow the signs for the Kennedy Center and Rock Creek Parkway. Turn left, get into the center lane, turn right at the light, then immediately get into the left lane. Go STRAIGHT at the light into Thompson's Boat Center across the street.
If going to Thompson's during evening rush hour (4 pm-6:15 pm), cross the Teddy Roosevelt Bridge and take the first RIGHT (Independence Ave). Circle down and around to the right to Rock Creek Parkway and immediately get into the far left lane (lane direction changes during evening rush hour). Continue to light at Thompson's where you make a left turn into the parking lot.
GEORGETOWN: Leaving Thompson's Boat Center
Leaving the park: During rush hour (4 pm - 6:15 pm) you must turn left and exit onto P Street and go through Georgetown.
At all other times you may exit straight out of park onto Virginia Ave. and make an immediate left to get onto the Whitehurst Freeway (middle lane) and I-66. This is the fastest route home, making exiting the park at 6:15 pm advisable.
GEORGETOWN: Regattas at Thompson's Boat Center
There is a parking lot, but it is limited and preference is given to busses, trailers, staff, and volunteers, all of whom arrive early. There is commercial parking by the water, close to the finish line off Wisconsin Avenue under the Whitehurst Freeway. There is easy access by foot from that lot to the finish line and to Regatta headquarters
GEORGETOWN:To Commercial Parking at Wisconsin Avenue
Follow Wisconsin Avenue south to K St, NW, also known at that point as Water Street. Here the commercial parking lot is directly ahead of you next to the river. If you are proceeding to the Thompson parking lot, turn left on K Street and proceed east through several stop signs, moving into the right hand lane. As K St begins to climb up hill ahead of you, on the right you will see a small underpass. Follow this onto Rock Creek Parkway and take an immediate right into Thompson Parking lot.
OCCOQUAN:Getting to Sandy Run Park
Sandy Run Regional Park
10450 Van Thompson Road
Fairfax Station, VA 22039
From I-95 South: Take exit 163 (Lorton Road, Route 642) West. After about 1.6 miles (at the top of a hill), bear right on Furnace Road and follow it until it meets Route 123 (Ox Road). Turn right on Ox Road and travel 1.2 miles to Hampton Road where you will turn left. Go about 1/2 mile on Hampton Road and turn left on Van Thompson Road (you will see power lines overhead, just in front of you). After about 1/4 mile Van Thompson bears sharply to the left at a well-weathered barn and continues down a hill to the entrance to Sandy Run Park. Once there, parking officials will direct you to a parking spot. ($10 parking fee)
OR:
From McLean: Travel South on Route 123, Ox Road until you reach Hampton Road. Hampton Road is about 6 miles south of where Braddock Road intersects 123. Turn right onto Hampton Road. Go about 1/2 mile on Hampton Road and then turn left onto Van Thompson Road (you will see power lines overhead, just in front of you). After about 1/4 mile Van Thompson's Road bear sharply to the left at a barn and continue down a hill to the entrance to Sandy Run Park.
OCCOQUAN:At the Sandy Run Park
There will be money collectors at the park entrance ($10 per car) and parking attendants directing you to the closest available parking. Come early as the lots fill up quickly. Carpooling highly recommended. Van Thompson's Road continues down a steep hill. The sign-in area for all volunteers, the boathouse, launch area and regatta headquarters is at the end of Van Thompson's Road.
There are three routes to the Sandy Run Finish Line:
1) by shuttle bus ($1 per person) which leaves from the upper parking lot (5 minute ride)
2) by foot on the path from the upper parking lot (1/2 mile on a winding and hilly path)
3) by foot on the path from the boathouse (3/4 mile on a winding and hilly path - about a 20 minute walk)
At the grandstand by the finish line there is a covered, concrete viewing area, a concession stand and bathroom facilities.
