Widewater State Park Shelters

Open — Open year-round for day use from 8 a.m. to dusk. Picnic shelters available for reservation or first-come, first-served when not reserved.

About

Widewater State Park's four picnic shelters are situated on a scenic peninsula in Stafford County where Aquia Creek and the Potomac River converge. Two shelters are located near the park's Visitor Center along Aquia Creek, while the remaining two can be found at the Potomac River recreational area. Each shelter provides access to parking, restrooms, and playground facilities. The park spans 1,089 acres across non-contiguous parcels and offers excellent opportunities for water-based recreation. Car-top launches accommodate canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards at both Aquia Creek and the Potomac River, and a motorboat launch provides direct access to the Potomac. Two one-mile hiking trails, Long Pond Trail and Holly Marsh Trail, wind through the park offering views of the waterways and marshland. The Potomac River here is an excellent fishery for largemouth bass, catfish, perch, and striped bass. While these shelters are ideal for day-use picnicking, Widewater does not offer traditional camping or cabins. However, the park does feature four primitive paddle-in campsites accessible by water for those seeking an overnight adventure. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk, and the Visitor Center features exhibits on local history, including Captain John Smith's landing, the region's Native American heritage, and the Ghost Fleet of Widewater.

Directions

From I-95, take Aquia Harbor Exit 143A, then go north on U.S. 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway). Turn right onto Telegraph Road (Route 637), then onto Widewater Road (Route 611). Widewater Road becomes Arkendale Road (Route 633) after about four miles. Turn left onto Brent Point Road (Route 658). The park is located in several parcels along Brent Point Road.

Nearby Campgrounds