Is Clarks Crossing safe?
Vienna, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Clarks Crossing as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Clarks Crossing
“Go. Clarks Crossing is an exceptionally safe, affluent residential enclave in Fairfax County with virtually nonexistent violent crime. Visitors will find peaceful wooded streets, pristine trail access, and a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere.”
About the area
Clarks Crossing is a quiet, leafy suburban community situated along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail between Vienna and Reston. Dominated by spacious single-family homes and neighborhood parkland, it offers a tranquil environment just minutes from major Northern Virginia commercial centers.
- Quiet Suburban
- Wooded / Parkland
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Clarks Crossing
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 58/100
The neighborhood features premier access to the paved Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail spanning Northern Virginia, though dock-based bike-share stations are primarily located closer to town centers and Metro stations.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Extremely low violent and property crime rates well below state and national benchmarks
- High economic stability with median household incomes exceeding $200,000 and poverty rates near zero
- Direct trailhead access to the 45-mile paved Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) multi-use trail
- Well-maintained properties, low housing vacancy, and abundant mature tree canopy
Cons
- Almost exclusively residential with virtually no dining or shopping within walking distance
- High car dependency for nearly all standard errands and transit connections
- Limited street lighting along park paths and residential cul-de-sacs after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Clarks Crossing, with no encampments or panhandling observed in the neighborhood.
What Clarks Crossing is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and active with neighborhood joggers, dog walkers, and cyclists accessing the trail with complete peace of mind.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with low vehicle speeds, light local traffic, and school-age children playing outside.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful residential winding-down period where streets remain exceptionally secure for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely quiet and dark with virtually zero street activity or safety risks, though flashlights are useful given the suburban canopy.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is managed by Fairfax Connector and Metrobus along exterior corridors like Route 7 and Beulah Road; the nearest Metrorail stations are Wiehle-Reston East (Silver Line) and Vienna/Fairfax-GMU (Orange Line), both a 10-minute drive away.
Parking is simple and completely free, with ample space on residential streets and dedicated parking lots at Clarks Crossing Park.
Things to do in Clarks Crossing
- Walk, jog, or cycle along the historic paved Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail
- Explore the wooded nature paths and recreation areas at Clarks Crossing Park
- Visit nearby historic Church Street in downtown Vienna for boutique shopping and dining
Local favorites
- Caboose Tavern · Brewpub / Gastropub · 4.5★ (1820)Popular local brewery serving craft beers and farm-to-table pub fare right along the W&OD Trail.
- The Pure Pasty Co · British Bakery & Cafe · 4.8★ (640)Award-winning bakery specializing in traditional and creative savory British pasties and baked goods.
- Taco Bamba · Mexican Taqueria · 4.6★ (2150)Chef-driven casual eatery known for inventive street-style tacos and bold flavors.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.