GENERAL INFO: Leesylvania opened in 1992. In 1978, noted philanthropist Daniel Ludwig donated the land to the state for a park. A national historical society, the Society of Lees of Virginia, was instrumental in securing the donation. Locally the area is known as Freestone Point, referring to the sandstone early settlers took from the property for building. Henry Lee III (Light Horse Harry) was born here at what was then Leesylvania Plantation in Colonial America. This Revolutionary War hero would later father the Confederate General Robert E. Lee of Civil War fame.
LOCATION: Leesylvania State Park is in the southeast area of Prince William County, approximately 25 miles from Washington, D.C. and Fredericksburg. From I-95, take Rippon Landing Exit 156; then go east on Route 784 to U.S. 1. From U.S. 1, Route 610 (Neabsco Road) east two miles.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia, half an hour; Richmond, one and a half hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two and a half hours; Roanoke, four hours
Click here for a Google map.
PARK MAP: Here in PDF form is a map of the park. You'll need a copy of the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view the map (version 4.0 or better works best).
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: A small, tents-only primitive campground is available only for groups. Reservations are required and must be made through the park's office. For information on availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
CABINS / CAMPING: Leesylvania State Park allows group camping; call the park office for details and to make reservations.
Rental rates for cabins and camping vary by season, offering and park. Rates are subject to verification by DCR's state parks reservations staff (1-800-933-PARK). First determine the season, which varies by park, then the rate. Click here for other parks' fees.
SWIMMING: No swimming. The park picnic area features ½-mile of natural sand beach on the Potomac River. Swimming from the shore is not allowed. Bottom hazards and boat traffic make the beach unsafe for such activities. Wading, walking and sunning are allowed.
TRAILS: The park offers four hiking trails for the exploration of the rich natural and historical features of the Potomac. The park boasts many scenic overlooks of the Potomac River including one on the remains of a Civil War Confederate gun battery at Freestone Point.
FISHING, BOATING: Fishing: The Potomac River is an excellent largemouth bass fishery. The river is tidal here and the water considered fresh. Other sport fish include catfish, perch and striped bass. A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required.
Boat launch: This area features launching ramps, sailboat hoists and parking for 186cars/trailers. A cartop launch area is located on Powells Creek for smaller boats such as canoes, kayaks, etc. The park store and gas dock are also located here. Motorboats are allowed. There are no restrictions on motor horsepower. Click here for park fees.
Overnight boating is allowed Friday and Saturday nights from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Call the park for details.
PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: The park has a large visitor center featuring historic and nature displays, an environmental education classroom and a gift shop.
NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Canoe tours, guided historic and nature walks, children’s fishing tournaments, Junior Ranger day camps, and historical programming. Music at the Marina concert series, May-August; Junior Ranger summer camps, June-August; Multi-cultural Festival and Haunted History Hike, October. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: The park participates in Virginia’s State Parks: Your Backyard Classrooms, a 40 activity curriculum guide for use by teachers of grades K-12.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Prince William County has a number of places and activities for the whole family. Manassas National Battlefield Park, The Manasass Museum, Prince William Forest National Park, Weems-Botts Museum, Occoquan National Wildlife Refuge, Splashdown Water Park, several golf courses, minor league baseball and Potomac Mills (the largest outlet mall in Virginia) are some of the other places and activities available.
PICNIC SHELTERS: Four large picnic shelters and an open area (Lee's Landing) are available for rent. To reserve, call the Reservations Center at 1-800-933-PARK. Per car parking fees are not covered in the rental (see "parking/admission" above). Click here for park fees. Shelters can be rented from 8 a.m. to dark (all day).
A special use permit is required if you plan to use the shelter for something other than just picnicking - e.g., a worship service, special event or wedding. (Shelter 4, if available, is recommended for weddings.) The permit details how the shelter can be used and when. These permits take at least 30 days to process and are obtained by calling the park directly. Once the shelter capacity is reached, guests beyond that number must be turned away by park staff.
Public use and display of alcoholic beverages are prohibited by state law. Also, amplification equipment, including megaphones, is not allowed in Leesylvania State Park.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.
Shelter 1, Freestone Point - The shelter, which is near the river and handicapped accessible, accommodates 100. It is about 225 feet from the nearest restroom, 400 feet from the parking lot and 100 feet from the river. There's a large parking area near this shady shelter, which features a large grill, electricity and a water spigot.
Shelter 2, Fairfax Landing - This shelter, near the river, accommodates up to 100 and is ideal for kids. It's near the playground and has level area for games. It's about 185 feet from a restroom, 140 feet from the parking lot and 103 feet from the river. It features a water spigot, a large grill and electricity.
Shelter 3, Potomac Beach - This shady shelter has a nice view of the river, which is only 135 feet away, and is near the sailboat parking lot. Parking is about 100 feet away, with the nearest restroom about 300 feet away. The shelter has a water spigot, a large grill and electricity.
Shelter 4, Lee's Landing - This shelter is octagonal and has picnic tables with benches. Any use other than simple picnicking may require a special use permit, extra fees or both. Anyone planning such other uses should call Leesylvania State Park to see if such a permit is required. Special use permits are obtained by calling the park directly at least 30 days beforehand. It may prove impossible to process requests made fewer than 30 days in advance in time.
As with all other park shelters, no amplification equipment - megaphones, microphones, etc. - is permitted. Public use and display of alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
This shelter accommodates up to 100 and has restrooms, water and electricity available. Parking is nearby, adjacent to the sailboat launch area. The shelter, which offers a splendid view of the Potomac River, is completely handicapped accessible.
Weddings, receptions and any function beyond a standard picnic can be accommodated, but such functions require a special use permit, extra fees or both. The park issues special use permits. Guests planning such events should call the park before renting the shelter to see if a special use permit is required.
The Lee's Landing shelter also offers two additional options, each priced separately, for wedding, reception and event packages. These options are unavailable for the other three shelters at Leesylvania. The first is parking for up to 50 cars. This option can be used alone, but a special use permit might be required for events requiring such an option. The second option is for replacement tables and chairs. This choice allows you to have the shelter's normal picnic tables and benches replaced by 100 chairs and 15 six-foot round tables. Events requiring special tables and chairs require a special use permit and extra fees. The special tables, which have folding legs, are gray. The chairs have padded seats and are made of white plastic. Those making the reservation must bring their own tablecloths and any items other than the tables and chairs. Click here for pricing details (select "Picnic shelters"). Please call the park for more detail.
Leesylvania also rents a volleyball net and game equipment for use with a picnic shelter for a nominal fee. Guests must handle setup.
CONCESSIONS: The park store operates from April through October. It features a snack bar offering pizza, sandwiches, breakfast items, ice cream and cold drinks. Groceries, marine gasoline and oil, bait and tackle, t-shirts, hats and souvenirs are also available. The marina store has a boat pump-out station and bathrooms with showers.
RESTAURANT / GROCERIES: Many nearby.
HISTORY: Leesylvania State Park opened full time in 1992. In 1978, noted philanthropist Daniel Ludwig donated the land to the state for a park. A national historical society, the Society of Lees of Virginia, was instrumental in securing the donation. Locally the area is known as "Freestone Point," referring to the sandstone early settlers took from the property for building. Henry Lee II lived on the property from 1747 until his death in 1787. His wife died five years later and both were buried in the family gravesite, which is still on the property. Their mansion burned soon after Mrs. Lee died. Eight children were born at Leesylvania, including Henry Lee III (Light Horse Harry), a cavalry colonel in the revolution, governor of Virginia (1791-1794) and father of Robert E. Lee. In 1825 the property was sold to Henry Fairfax. His son John, later an aide to CSA Gen. James Longstreet, inherited the property in 1847. The Fairfax house burned in 1910, shortly after John's death, but many remnants, including a large chimney that has been restored, remain on the site. In addition, Freestone Point was the site of a Confederate force and gun emplacement during the Civil War.
