Leesylvania State Park

General Information

Leesylvania is nestled along the tidal shores of the historic Potomac River. Native Americans lived on this land for thousands of years. Capt. John Smith visited the area in 1608 on his voyage of discovery. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, Leesylvania offers many land and water activities, including hiking, picnicking, fishing, boating and a 20-station fitness trail. A universally accessible fishing pier, playground, boat launch and boat storage area are available. Potomac Place: Aquatic and Nature Center and the visitor center with a gift shop are open seasonally. Paddle craft rentals are available seasonally, except when poor weather prevents safe use.

Hours

The park opens at 6:00 a.m. and closing time varies based on the season. After the gates close, visitors have 30 minutes to exit the park. For more information on the closing times please contact the Park Office at 703-730-8205.

Location

Leesylvania State Park is in the southeast area of Prince William County, about 25 miles from Washington, D.C., and Fredericksburg. From I-95, take Rippon Landing Exit 156, then go east on Dale Blvd. to U.S. 1. Jefferson Davis Hwy. Turn right on Jefferson Davis Hwy., and then turn left onto Neabsco Rd. (Route 610) east for about two miles.

Its address is 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge, VA 22191-4504; Latitude, 38.589344. Longitude, -77.263498.

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

Park Size

556 acres.

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Cabins, camping

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

From March - October, a small, tents-only primitive campground is available for groups. Four tents-only primitive campsites are available only for visitors arriving by canoe or kayak. Group camping and paddle-in camping reservations are required and must be made through the park's office. For information on the availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, reserve online or call 800-933-7275. Click here for park fees.

Recreation

TRAILS

The park has five hiking trails passing through rich natural and historical features of the Potomac River. The park also includes a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The park boasts many scenic overlooks of the Potomac including one on the remains of a Civil War Confederate gun battery at Freestone Point.

SWIMMING

There are no designated swimming areas. Swimming is hazardous because of swift currents, sudden drop-offs and unseen obstructions.

FISHING, BOATING

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 or Maryland freshwater fishing license is required, and the park also honors Potomac River Fisheries Commission licenses. The park has a 300-foot accessible fishing pier.

The park has a popular boat launch area with two ramps, sailboat hoists and parking for 186 cars or trailers. Motorboats are allowed, and there's no horsepower restriction. There's a cartop launch for smaller boats, such as canoes and kayaks, on Powells Creek. 

Paddle craft rentals are offered at the Potomac Place seasonally, except when poor weather prevents safe use.

The park also rents sailboats through a concessionaire, the Northern Virginia Sailing School.

From March - October, overnight boating is offered every day of the week, while late-night fishing is available every Friday. Late-night fishing and overnight boating require you to obtain and display a permit on your vehicle from a park ranger at the Contact Station before the gates close.  Boat storage is available year-round. Call the park office for information and pricing.

HORSES

Horses are not permitted.

Park Trail Guide

These maps are currently in the process of being updated. Please refer to the geo-referenced map for the most accurate trail color blazes and trail lengths.

Click here for the park's trail guide.

Download (external link for use with Avenza App) the geo-referenced map

Download the geo-referenced map for this park

Nearby Attractions

Use this interactive map, complete with photos and locations, to find things to do near Leesylvania State Park.

Prince William County has many places and activities for the whole family: Manassas National Battlefield Park, The Manassas 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, which is the largest outlet mall in Virginia.

Picnic Shelters

Four large picnic shelters 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 sunset (all day). Due to over capacity issues, shelters cannot be reserved on weekends and certain holidays between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. These shelters are available first come, first served when not reserved. Electricity is only provided when a shelter is reserved.

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.) Visitors planning such events should call, email, or visit the park before renting the shelter to see if a special use permit is required. Each guest will still need to pay the parking fee upfront at the Contact Station even with a special use permit or a shelter reserved. There is not a way to pay the fees all at once before or after the event.

The permit details how the shelter can be used and when. These permits require a $25 processing fee, take at least 30 days to process, and are obtained by calling the park directly.  It may prove impossible to process requests made fewer than 30 days in advance in time. Once the shelter capacity is reached, visitors beyond that number must be turned away by park staff.

State law permits alcohol use only in private areas or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Events with alcohol must receive prior park authorization through the special use permit process and must be in Shelter 4 only. Also, amplification equipment, including megaphones, must be approved for use with a special use permit.

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 universally 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 accommodates up to 100 and 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. This shelter accommodates up to 100 and has restrooms, a small kitchenette, water, a large grill 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 universally accessible.

Click here for pricing details (select "Picnic shelters"). Please call the park for more detail.

Meeting Space and Facilities

MEETING FACILITIES

None.

PARK OFFICE

The park has an office where all special use permits, boat storage, group camping, paddle-in camping and general information is given out and processed. Annual passports are sold here.

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP

The park has a large visitor center, which is open seasonally. It features historic and nature displays, live animals, an environmental education classroom and a gift shop that includes T-shirts, hats, souvenirs, ice cream, snacks and cold drinks. Many of our interpretive programs and events are hosted here. Annual passports are sold here.

THE POTOMAC PLACE: AQUATIC AND NATURE CENTER

The Potomac Place: Aquatic and Nature Center, formerly known as the Breakwater Store, is open seasonally. It sells snacks, ice cream, ice, cold drinks, bait and tackle, T-shirts, hats, souvenirs, and has nature displays and live animals. The center also offers paddle craft rentals seasonally, except when poor weather prevents safe use. Annual passports are sold here.

RESTAURANT

Many nearby. The Visitor Center and the Potomac Place offers snacks, ice cream and sodas for purchase when it is open.

LAUNDRY

None at the park.

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.

SPECIAL FEATURES

None at this park.

Other Info

ACCESSIBILITY:

• Park office, public restroom: Parking space (one each), bathroom (sinks, toilet), sidewalk (concrete), wheelchair clearances in the building.
• Potomac Place, public restroom: Parking spaces (six each), sidewalks (concrete), ramps to store and store deck, deck tables (two each), bathrooms (sinks, toilet) and wheelchair clearance in the building.
• Boat launch: Piers at the launch ramp, parking spaces for vehicle/boat trailer (four each), parking spaces for fishermen at the bulkhead.
• Visitor center: Parking spaces, sidewalks (concrete), wheelchair clearances in building, bathroom (sinks, toilet), accessible exhibits.
• Picnic areas: Lee's Landing - Parking spaces, picnic area restroom, sidewalks, bathroom (sinks, toilet). Freestone Point Area - Parking spaces, picnic area restroom, sidewalks and trail, bathroom (sinks, toilet), parking spaces (three each). Picnic Shelters, connection trail, tables.
• Fishing pier: Parking spaces (three each), gravel connection trail, concrete ramp to the pier, wheelchair accessible rail space.
• Amphitheatre: Parking spaces, gravel connection trail (steep grade), sidewalk.
• Potomac Trail: Accessible grade and gravel surfacing through the picnic area along the waterfront.
• Bushey Point Trail - This 1-mile gravel trail's accessibility has recently been improved.
• Playground: Parking spaces, asphalt connection trail, chair accessible equipment.
• Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.

SPECIAL USE PERMITS

A special use permit is required for any commercial enterprise that takes place on park property – e.g., photoshoots or equipment rentals. A special use permit is also required if you plan to use the beaches, picnic area, or shelters for an event other than a family picnic - e.g., a worship service, baptism, baby shower, or wedding. Amplification equipment, including megaphones must be approved for use with a special use permit. Each guest will still need to pay the parking fee upfront at the Contact Station even with a special use permit or a shelter reserved. There is not a way to pay the fees all at once before or after the event.

State law permits alcohol use only in private areas or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Events with alcohol must receive prior park authorization through the special use permit process and must be in Shelter 4 only.

Special use permits require a $25 processing fee and take at least 30 days to process. It may prove impossible to process requests made fewer than 30 days in advance in time. Special use permits can be obtained by calling the park office directly at 703-730-8205, emailing leesylvania@dcr.virginia.gov or by visiting the park office in person.  

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS

Canoe tours, guided historic and nature walks, children's fishing tournaments, Junior Ranger day camps, historical programming and Junior Ranger summer camps (June through August). Click here to view the park's events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

CONCESSIONS

THE POTOMAC PLACE: AQUATIC AND NATURE CENTER
The Potomac Place: Aquatic and Nature Center, formerly known as the Breakwater Store, is open seasonally. It sells snacks, ice cream, ice, cold drinks, bait and tackle, T-shirts, hats and souvenirs, and has nature displays and live animals. The center also offers paddle craft rentals seasonally, except when poor weather prevents safe use. Annual passports are sold here.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA SAILING SCHOOL
The park also offers sailboat rentals through a private concessionaire, the Northern Virginia Sailing School.

HISTORY

Leesylvania State Park opened in 1989, and more facilities were added in 1992. In 1978, noted philanthropist Daniel Ludwig donated the land to the state for a park. The Society of Lees of Virginia, a national historical society, 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 he died in 1787. His wife died five years later, and both were buried at the family grave site, 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.

FRIENDS GROUP

The Friends of Leesylvania State Park helps the park serve visitors and protect the park's natural resources. The group raises money and supports park programs and events. They also help guests and promote the park's unique nature and history, fishing, boating and more. Members have many interests and various backgrounds. There are several membership options. Feel free to email Friends of Leesylvania at leesylvaniastateparkfriends@gmail.com or visit its website to learn more. They meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Park Office Conference Room.

MASTER PLAN

Master plans must be written for parks before they're built. The plans are updated at least once every 10 years thereafter. The plans cover the size, types, infrastructure and locations of facilities as well as the site's special features and resources. Three public meetings are held during the initial development of each plan. Click here for this park's master plan.