Leesylvania State Park — Attraction in Dumfries

We visited in early October 2024. It was a Friday and early in the morning. When you first drive in there is the booth to pay, which was staffed by a ranger. Make sure you have your State Park Annual Pass if you have one. The Park Office is immediately to the right where they do have a couple items gift shop like items for sale, but the main store is down at the visitor center past the water recreation area. It’s a little bit of a drive down. When we visited, we were told the wifi had been out at the visitor center for about a week and they were not able to sell any items down there. Luckily, they had a few items at the park office near the entrance. There were a couple items that were not available at the park office, but they were able to ring us up and gave us the receipt and called down to the visitor center and they gave us the other items from down there. We drove pretty far and wanted to make sure we got our collectable patch, pin and hiking medallion from this VA State Park. The visitor center was amazing. They had 3 rangers stationed there when we arrived. There were ample parking spaces, and we were only 1 of 3 cars there. When you walk in, there are bathrooms straight in front of you, to the right is the nature center which had a ton of things to look at. Probably more than any other VA State Park we’ve been to yet. Lots of taxidermy animals up top and even microscopes with slides and just many things for kids of all ages to look at and touch. If you go to the left, immediately is the park store and then you walk into a great room filled with all the historical information about the park over the years starting from the Native Americans all the way to the 20th century as you move around the room. We unfortunately did not bring our kayaks this trip but had all 3 of our kids in tow. We decided to do at least one trail and selected Bushy Point over Lee’s Woods because we wanted to see the waterfront. You get an amazing view as you drive in and turn left at the point, we said we HAD to hike that. The trail was great starting from the waterfront recreation area. You do walk by the group campground and then along the road and under the bridge. Amazing as we were there early in the morning and the sun was still coming low in the sky over the water. The problem was when we pass that and the trail lead into the woods, it just kind of disappeared. We spent a good 10 mins looking if we could find the trail but were unable to locate the rest of it and gave up and went back to the car. I think in the future we would definitely do the Lee’s Woods trail (which we were told is more historic type trail) and also bring kayaks and probably make sure we had time to do some fishing. We know that many folks will also launch kayaks here and travel to Widewater State Park and Caledon State Park which have places to stop and camp. This was our plan to scope out what the different sites looked like for when we attempt this in the future. We are also working on our VA State Park Trail Quest, and this is our 17th...

On January 29, 2025 I visited Leesylvania State Park after work. Upon arrival, I showed the entrance ranger my expired yearly pass in the dash of my car. I explained that I was awaiting my new yearly pass in the mail. He informed me that I must purchase a day pass but that on the next visit I could bring my online receipt. I purchased a day pass. The ranger instructed me to place the day pass receipt in the dash of my car. I did so and I stayed until closing.

The next day, January 30, 2025 I returned to visit Leesylvania State Park after work. Upon arrival I showed the ranger my online yearly pass receipt and my expired yearly pass. He issued a new day receipt for me and instructed me to place this in the dash. I placed my new receipt and my old yearly pass into the dash and was then ushered into the park.

As I was returning to my car from my hike I heard several gunshots. I was alarmed and felt unsafe. I stopped hiking and attempted to figure out what to do and where to go. Gunshots continued and I found a spot to hide. The gunshots got closer and closer. I discovered that they were coming from a person on a boat nearby. I began to video the boat and was able to catch a gunshot on video around 5:25. Once the boat past me I felt it was a good time to quickly get back to my car.

I arrived at my car a few minutes past 5:30. Officer Eads was waiting with his arms folded across his chest. As I approached I thanked him for waiting. He asked me if everything was ok. I said no and explained the problem. He let me know that it was duck hunting season. I was perplexed by this information and let him know that I did not hear any gunshots the day prior, nor had I ever heard any gunshots as a yearly pass holder. I was confused that I was not informed at the entrance of this event, nor was there any signage.

Eads at this point handed me parking ticket. He said that the park was closed. He also told me that I could not have an expired pass next to a current receipt on my dash. I shared with him the contradictory guidance I had received at the entrance from the rangers on that day and the previous day. He informed me that the rangers at the entrance are a separate entity from the officers. I explained that this information was confusing. At this point Eads moved into my personal space and was speaking loudly causing me further distress. He began to acuse me of tampering with the receipt. I informed him that I was done talking to him and that I would be leaving.

After experiencing the nearby gunshots and aggressive behavior displayed by Eads I felt extremely traumatized. Leesylvania State Park had been my sanctuary for many years. Unfortunately, now it’s become a place that I no...

Leesylvania State Park is truly a gem, and a graduation party, even with a little rain, was a testament to its charm! It's one of those places that just shines, no matter the weather. A Waterfront Wonderland What immediately strikes you about Leesylvania State Park is its incredible location right on the Potomac River. This waterfront setting is a huge draw, offering scenic views and a refreshing breeze that makes any gathering feel special. As you experienced, even a sudden downpour can't dim its appeal – in fact, it can sometimes even add to the memorable moments! Perfect for Gatherings The park truly excels as a spot for family and friends to connect. Reviews consistently highlight its suitability for cookouts, fun, and games. The accessible picnic areas, many with a lovely view of the water, are ideal for setting up your spread. You'll find plenty of picnic tables and even large shelters available for reservation, complete with grills, electricity, and water spigots – making those cookouts a breeze. Amenities That Make a Difference Leesylvania has all the practical amenities you need for a comfortable visit. There's plenty of parking, which is always a relief, especially for a larger event like a graduation party. The clean and accessible washrooms are a big plus, and the convenience of having a small beach area adds to the recreational opportunities. While swimming isn't permitted due to boat traffic, it's still a fantastic spot to relax by the water, dip your toes in the sand, or simply enjoy the view. More to Explore Beyond the picnic areas, Leesylvania State Park offers even more to enjoy. Many visitors rave about the hiking trails, which wind through rich natural and historical features, including overlooks with stunning river views. There's also a universally accessible fishing pier, boat launch facilities, and even a visitor center with educational exhibits. You might even spot some local wildlife, from various bird species to bald eagles! Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a beautiful place to spend a day outdoors, Leesylvania State Park delivers. Its blend of natural beauty, convenient amenities, and welcoming atmosphere makes it a beloved spot for creating...