State Parks Near Alexandria, Virginia

26 state park units lie within 50 miles of Alexandria, including 19 parks across the line in Maryland. The closest is Mason Neck State Park, about 13 mi southwest of town. 8 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.

Closest park
Mason Neck State Park13 mi southwest
Within 25 miles
8of 26 within 50 mi
With camping
111 with cabins
Dog-friendly
20pets allowed

State parks near Alexandria, nearest first

Straight-line distance from central Alexandria; driving distance is usually longer.

  1. Mason Neck State Park

    13 miles southwest · Lorton, Virginia · State Park

    The park supports canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals.

    1 alertCampingHikingBoatingAccessible features$10 per vehicle

    Hours, fees and rules for Mason Neck State Park →
  2. Chapman State Park

    14 miles south · Indian Head, Maryland · State Park

    In Charles County, about 3 miles northeast of Indian Head, Chapman State Park covers about 2,100 acres.

    Dogs allowed

    Hours, fees and rules for Chapman State Park →
  3. Rosaryville State Park

    15 miles east · Upper Marlboro, Maryland · State Park

    Covering about 982 acres, Rosaryville State Park lies in Prince George's County, about 7 miles southeast of District Heights.

    Dogs allowed$3 per person ($5 nonresident)

    Hours, fees and rules for Rosaryville State Park →
  4. Leesylvania State Park

    19 miles southwest · Woodbridge, Virginia · State Park

    Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, boating, hiking, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites, group camping, and showers.

    1 alertCampingHikingBoatingAccessible features$10 per vehicle

    Hours, fees and rules for Leesylvania State Park →
  5. Smallwood State Park

    19 miles south · Marbury, Maryland · State Park

    For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).

    CampingDogs allowed$3 per person ($5 nonresident)

    Hours, fees and rules for Smallwood State Park →
  6. Merkle Natural Resources Management Area

    22 miles east · Upper Marlboro, Maryland · Natural Resources Management Area

    Covering about 113 acres, Merkle Natural Resources Management Area lies in Calvert County, about 8 miles west of Chesapeake Beach.

    Dogs allowed$50 per day

    Hours, fees and rules for Merkle Natural Resources Management Area →
  7. Seneca Creek State Park

    24 miles north · Gaithersburg, Maryland · State Park

    The official site lists about 50 miles of trails.

    Dogs allowed$3 per person ($5 nonresident)

    Hours, fees and rules for Seneca Creek State Park →
  8. Chapel Point State Park

    25 miles south · Marbury, Maryland · State Park

    Chapel Point State Park is a park in Charles County, about 6 miles southwest of La Plata.

    Dogs allowed

    Hours, fees and rules for Chapel Point State Park →
  9. Monocacy Natural Resources Management Area

    26 miles south · Gaithersburg, Maryland · Natural Resources Management Area

    Covering about 132 acres, Monocacy Natural Resources Management Area lies in Charles County, about 9 miles southeast of Dumfries.

    Dogs allowed

    Hours, fees and rules for Monocacy Natural Resources Management Area →
  10. Patuxent River State Park

    29 miles north · Gaithersburg, Maryland · State Park

    Covering about 6,700 acres, Patuxent River State Park lies in Montgomery County, about 10 miles northeast of Gaithersburg.

    Dogs allowed

    Hours, fees and rules for Patuxent River State Park →
  11. Widewater State Park

    30 miles southwest · Stafford, Virginia · State Park

    Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, hiking, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.

    1 alertCampingHikingBoating$7 per vehicle

    Hours, fees and rules for Widewater State Park →
  12. Franklin Point State Park

    31 miles east · Annapolis, Maryland · State Park

    In Anne Arundel County, about 9 miles north of Chesapeake Beach, Franklin Point State Park covers about 499 acres.

    Hours, fees and rules for Franklin Point State Park →
  13. Morgan Run Natural Environment Area

    31 miles northeast · Annapolis, Maryland · Natural Environment Area

    Covering about 287 acres, Morgan Run Natural Environment Area lies in Anne Arundel County, about 8 miles northwest of Annapolis.

    Dogs allowed

    Hours, fees and rules for Morgan Run Natural Environment Area →
  14. Caledon State Park

    34 miles south · King George, Virginia · State Park

    The park supports biking, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and group camping.

    CampingDogs allowedHiking$5 per vehicle

    Hours, fees and rules for Caledon State Park →
  15. Patapsco Valley State Park

    36 miles northeast · Ellicott City, Maryland · State Park

    Its trail network totals roughly 200 miles, according to the park.

    1 alertCampingDogs allowed$2 per vehicle ($4 nonresident)

    Hours, fees and rules for Patapsco Valley State Park →
  16. Sandy Point State Park

    39 miles east · Annapolis, Maryland · State Park

    Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.

    Day-use reservation needed at timesCampingSwimming$5 per person

    Hours, fees and rules for Sandy Point State Park →
  17. Greenwell State Park

    43 miles southeast · Scotland, Maryland · State Park

    Greenwell State Park is a park in St. Mary's County, about 8 miles northeast of Leonardtown.

    Dogs allowed$3 per vehicle ($5 nonresident)

    Hours, fees and rules for Greenwell State Park →
  18. North Point State Park

    44 miles northeast · Edgemere, Maryland · State Park

    In Baltimore County, about 11 miles southeast of Baltimore, North Point State Park covers about 1,272 acres.

    Day-use reservation needed at timesDogs allowed$4 per vehicle ($5 nonresident)

    Hours, fees and rules for North Point State Park →
  19. Newtowne Neck State Park

    45 miles southeast · Leonardtown, Maryland · State Park

    Newtowne Neck State Park is a park in St. Mary's County, about 6 miles southwest of Leonardtown.

    Day-use reservation needed at timesDogs allowed

    Hours, fees and rules for Newtowne Neck State Park →
  20. North Point State Battlefield

    45 miles northeast · Baltimore, Maryland · State Battlefield

    North Point State Battlefield is a historic site in Baltimore County, about 7 miles east of Baltimore.

    Dogs allowed

    Hours, fees and rules for North Point State Battlefield →
  21. Calvert Cliffs State Park

    46 miles southeast · Upper Marlboro, Maryland · State Park

    Its trail network totals roughly 13 miles, according to the park.

    CampingDogs allowed$5 per vehicle ($7 nonresident)

    Hours, fees and rules for Calvert Cliffs State Park →
  22. St. Clement's Island State Park

    46 miles southeast · Scotland, Maryland · State Park

    St. Clement's Island State Park is a park in St. Mary's County, about 9 miles southwest of Leonardtown.

    1 alertDogs allowed

    Hours, fees and rules for St. Clement's Island State Park →
  23. Westmoreland State Park

    47 miles south · Montross, Virginia · State Park

    Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, hiking, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 6 miles, according to the park. Water access includes a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals.

    6 alertsCampingCabins/lodgingDogs allowedHikingBoatingAccessible features$7 per vehicle

    Hours, fees and rules for Westmoreland State Park →
  24. Sweet Run State Park

    48 miles northwest · Hillsboro, Virginia · State Park

    The park supports horseback riding, hiking, and picnicking.

    1 alertCampingHiking$10 per vehicle

    Hours, fees and rules for Sweet Run State Park →
  25. Sky Meadows State Park

    49 miles west · Delaplane, Virginia · State Park

    Visitors come for horseback riding, biking, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 22 miles of trails. Camping is available: 15 campsites across 2 camping areas, including tent sites and group camping.

    15 campsitesDogs allowedHikingAccessible features$10 per vehicle

    Hours, fees and rules for Sky Meadows State Park →
  26. St. Mary's River State Park

    50 miles southeast · Leonardtown, Maryland · State Park

    St. Mary's River State Park is a park in St. Mary's County, about 8 miles east of Leonardtown.

    Dogs allowed$3 per vehicle ($5 nonresident)

    Hours, fees and rules for St. Mary's River State Park →

Best picks by activity

Camping near Alexandria

  1. Mason Neck State Park 13 mi southwest · Campground listed
  2. Leesylvania State Park 19 mi southwest · Campground listed
  3. Smallwood State Park 19 mi south · Campground listed
  4. Widewater State Park 30 mi southwest · Campground listed
  5. Caledon State Park 34 mi south · Campground listed

+ 6 more in the list above

Cabins and lodging near Alexandria

  1. Westmoreland State Park 47 mi south · Cabins or other roofed stays

Dog-friendly state parks near Alexandria

  1. Chapman State Park 14 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
  2. Rosaryville State Park 15 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
  3. Smallwood State Park 19 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
  4. Merkle Natural Resources Management Area 22 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
  5. Seneca Creek State Park 24 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules

+ 15 more in the list above

Swimming near Alexandria

  1. Sandy Point State Park 39 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area

Hiking near Alexandria

  1. Mason Neck State Park 13 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
  2. Leesylvania State Park 19 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
  3. Widewater State Park 30 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
  4. Caledon State Park 34 mi south · Hiking trails listed
  5. Westmoreland State Park 47 mi south · Hiking trails listed

+ 2 more in the list above

Questions about state parks near Alexandria

What is the closest state park to Alexandria?

Mason Neck State Park is the closest, about 13 miles southwest of Alexandria in a straight line. Next are Chapman State Park and Rosaryville State Park.

How many state parks are near Alexandria?

26 state park units are within 50 miles, and 8 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.

Which state parks near Alexandria have camping?

11 parks list camping, the nearest being Mason Neck State Park, Leesylvania State Park and Smallwood State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.

Are dogs allowed at state parks near Alexandria?

Yes, at 20 parks, including Chapman State Park, Rosaryville State Park and Smallwood State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.

Are there free state parks near Alexandria?

None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.

State parks near other cities

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Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.