Parks around Colonial Beach

In the heart of the Northern Neck of Virginia stands a tribute to America's founding father, George Washington. Although only here a short time, the ideas that Washington learned here, helped shape the man he would become and forever alter the destiny of the United States of America.

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is the newest of four refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Established in 1996, the goal of the Refuge is to protect 20,000 acres of wetlands and associated uplands along the River and its major tributaries. As of May 2005, a total of 7,393 acres have been purchased from willing sellers or donat...

Prior to the Revolutionary War, Thomas Stone led a very comfortable life as a planter and lawyer. After realizing war with Great Britain was inevitable, he risked everything he held dear-- life, fortune, and sacred honor-- to safeguard American rights. To that end, Thomas Stone became one of 56 men to sign one of the most important documents in World History; the Declaration of Independence.

Green Springs National Historic Landmark District in Virginia's Piedmont encompasses over 14,000 acres. Its farmsteads offer a continuum of rural vernacular architecture in original context with minimal alteration. Landscapes and buildings, many predating the Civil War and connected to one another visually and through family relationships of early occupants, are today preserved through easements.

Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania--this is America's battleground, where the Civil War roared to its bloody climax. No place more vividly reflects the War's tragic cost in all its forms. A town bombarded and looted. Farms large and small ruined. Refugees by the thousands forced into the countryside. More than 85,000 men wounded; 15,000 killed--most in graves unknown.

Annmarie Garden lies at the headwaters of St. John Creek and is just a few miles north of Solomons Island in beautiful Southern Maryland. The mission at Annmarie Garden is to provide a place to commune with nature through the creation and maintenance of public thematic outdoor garden rooms developed by artists and landscape architects. In these rooms, contemporary sculpture, flora and fauna prov...

Prince William Forest Park is an oasis, a respite of quiet and calm. In 1936, Chopawamsic Recreation Area opened its gates to house children's 'relief' camps during the Great Depression. Renamed Prince William Forest Park in 1948, these fragrant woods and trickling streams have welcomed generations of campers, hikers, bikers and nature lovers. Discover Northern Virginia's best kept secret!

Mason Neck NWR was established in 1969 for the protection of nesting, feeding, and roosting habitat for the Bald eagles. It was the first federal refuge established specifically for the (then endangered) Bald eagle. The refuge is part of the Potomac River NWR Complex. The refuge, situated along the Potomac River on the Mason Neck peninsula, consists of 2277 acres of oak-hickory forest, f...

Featherstone NWR is located about 22 miles south of Washington D.C. at the confluence of Neabsco Creek and the Potomac River. The refuge is managed by staff of the Potomac River NWR Complex. Composed of wetlands and woodlands, the refuge is a narrow strip along the shore of the Potomac River and mouth of Neabsco Creek with a railroad right of way bordering the western edge. The refuge provides ...

Occoquan Bay NWR was established in 1998 and is situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers. This 644 acre refuge was previously a military research site and is part of the Potomac River NWR Complex. The refuge has a unique mix of wetlands, forest, and native grasslands that provides a diversity of habitats for wide variety of species. Wetland habitats cover about 50% of the r...

Piscataway Park is home to bald eagles, beavers, deer, foxes, ospreys, and many other species. To complement the surroundings, the park has, in addition to a public fishing pier and two boardwalks over fresh water tidal wetlands, a variety of nature trails, meadows, and woodland areas. The Park is also home to National Colonial Farm.

One mile loop trail on the 800 acres of the Meadowood SRMA on Mason Neck in Fairfax County, Virginia and plans to manage it to provide open space for recreation, environmental education, and wild horse and burro interpretation. The 800-acre Mason Neck peninsula, approximately 18 miles south of Washington, D.C., is also the site of Gunston Hall - historic home of George Mason IV, author of the Vi...

Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area was established on October 18, 2001 and is located on Mason Neck peninsula in Fairfax County, Virginia. Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area offers 13 miles of hiking, horseback riding and mountain bike trails including a universally accessible trail to Hidden Pond, two fishing ponds, 800 acres of forest and meadows, environmental education p...

Built to defend the river approach to Washington, DC, Fort Washington has stood as silent sentry for over 200 years. As technologies advanced so did Fort Washington, from the brick and stone of the 19th century to the concrete and steel of the 20th century.

The 18th century Harmony Hall mansion is located on a 62.5-acre open pasture land estate along the Potomac River. This estate was purchased by the National Park Service in 1966, to preserve southern Maryland cultural heritage. Surrounded by a rich landscape, it offers visitors many chances to connect with Colonial History. The park also home to the remains of the Want Water House and canal.

The Garden Mountain Wilderness now contains a total of 3,291 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Garden Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an ag...

Fort Foote was constructedin 1863 atop Rozier's Bluff to strengthen the ring of fortifications that encircled Washington, D.C. Two of the Guns that prtoected Washington are still there along with the remains of the fort's earthworks.

The Brush Mountain East Wilderness now contains a total of 3,743 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Brush Mountain East Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. ...

The Brush Mountain Wilderness now contains a total of 4,794 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Brush Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age ...

The Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness now contains a total of 8,470 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Hunting Camp Creek Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In...

The Raccoon Branch Wilderness now contains a total of 4,223 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Raccoon Branch Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age ...

The Stone Mountain Wilderness now contains a total of 3,270 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Virginia. In 2009 the Stone Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age ...

The diverse history of Maryland and our national heritage can be experienced at Oxon Cove Park. Through hands on activities, living history programs, and more, you can experience farm life and how its changed over time. Explore how the park evolved from a plantation home during the War of 1812, to a hospital farm, to the park you can visit today.

Walk the halls of Cedar Hill, home of the famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery, Douglass escaped to spend his life fighting for justice and equality for all people. His tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity continue to inspire and sustain people today.

On July 21, 1861, two armies clashed for the first time on the fields overlooking Bull Run. Heavy fighting swept away any notion of a quick war. In August 1862, Union and Confederate armies converged for a second time on the plains of Manassas. The Confederates won a solid victory bringing them to the height of their power.