Widewater State Park
Notice: The Potomac Boat Ramp will be closed for maintenance on Saturday, Oct. 31. We… — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $7 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dcr.virginia.gov(540) 288-1400
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Closure The Potomac Boat Ramp will be closed for maintenance on Saturday, Oct. 31. We…The Potomac Boat Ramp will be closed for maintenance on Saturday, Oct. 31. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Stafford County, about 10 miles south of Dumfries, Widewater State Park covers about 1,042 acres.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, hiking, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
| Visitor center | Daily | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
8 a.m. to dusk.
There is a gift shop within the Visitor Center where park passes, kayak rentals, merchandise, and refreshments can be purchased. The Visitor Center is open Monday-Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the weekdays, and variable seasonal hours on the weekends. Please call the park office for current Visitor Center hours.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Pets
'Pets are welcome in most outdoor areas of our parks.' 'Leashes may be no longer than 6 feet.' 'Pets are not permitted in yurts.' 'There is a $20 additional nightly charge per pet for cabin stays. There is no additional charge for pets in campgrounds.'
Statewide rule from Virginia's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Standard | $7 |
| Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Weekends (Apr–Oct*) | $10 |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat | $10 · day |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Standard | $15 |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Weekends Apr–Oct* | $20 |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – Buses 16 or more Year-Round | $40 |
Official wording
Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Standard: $7 Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Weekends (Apr–Oct*): $10 Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat: $10 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Standard: $15 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Weekends Apr–Oct*: $20 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – Buses 16 or more Year-Round: $40
Virginia park passes
- Naturally Yours Passport — $85. Parking and admission for 12 months to all State Parks (admission for up to 4 at Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum) Details
- Senior Naturally Yours Passport — $40. Parking and admission for 12 months, age 62+ Details
- Naturally Yours Passport for Boaters/Equestrians — $180. Parking plus boat-launch / horse-trailer fees for 12 months Details
- Senior Naturally Yours Passport for Boaters/Equestrians — $145. As above, age 62+ Details
From the Virginia state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Virginia State Parks reservation system (reservevaparks.com)
- Phone
- 800-933-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Widewater has no cabins or full-service camping.
Widewater has no cabins or traditional campsites as the park is under construction. Currently, there are four primitive paddle-in campsites where only tents can be used. Call the park for further details about these sites. The park’s master plan includes areas of development for both cabins and traditional campgrounds (tent and RVs) once initial construction is completed.
For information on the availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingCampingCanoeing and kayakingHikingPicnicking
Trails
There are currently two 1-mile-long hiking trails at Widewater: Long Pond Trail and Holly Marsh Trail. Near the Visitor Center is Long Pond Trail, which makes a wide loop around the Visitor Center and runs along sections of both Aquia Creek and Long Pond. Holly Marsh Trail connects with Long Pond Trail, providing access to the Potomac Picnic Area and borders the Holly Marsh. At its’ end/start, this wooded hike provides a striking view of the Potomac River. Both trails are ranked as easy and are for hiking only. There are currently other trails under development in the park, but hiking on them is strictly prohibited while construction is going on.
Swimming
There are no designated swimming areas. Swimming is hazardous because of swift currents, sudden drop-offs and unseen obstructions.
Boating, paddling and fishing
The Potomac River is an excellent fishery for largemouth bass; other sport fish include catfish, perch, and striped bass. This section of river is tidal and is considered fresh water. A Virginia or Maryland freshwater fishing license is required when fishing on the main stem of the Potomac River. When fishing on Aquia Creek or in Long Pond, a Virginia freshwater fishing license is required. The park also honors Potomac River Fisheries Commission licenses.
Car-top launches that are suitable for canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are available at both the Aquia Creek and Potomac River. The park also has a motorboat launch area with direct access to the Potomac River, featuring one ramp and parking for up to 50 trailers. There is currently no horsepower restriction. The boat ramp is open every day from 5 a.m. to dusk. As closing times change throughout the year, please call the park office for current closing times. Overnight boating is permitted, but parking fees will apply for both days. You must enter to launch before the gate closes at dusk. After dusk, the gate will automatically open to allow vehicles to leave.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Visitor center
- Park or camp store
- Parking
Water
- Boat ramp
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
The visitor center is ADA accessible, and there are ADA accessible restrooms in each developed parcel.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 101 Widewater State Park Road
Stafford, VA 22554 - Nearest town
- Dumfries — about 10 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.4285, -77.3347
- Phone
- (540) 288-1400
- widewater@dcr.virginia.gov
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Widewater State Park is in northeastern Stafford County, about 40 miles south of Washington, D.C., and 20 miles northeast of Fredericksburg. From I-95, take Aquia Harbor Exit 143A, then go north on U.S. 1. Jefferson Davis Hwy. Turn right onto Telegraph Rd (Route 637), and then onto Widewater Rd. (Route 611). Widewater Rd. turns into Arkendale Rd. (Route 633) after about four miles. Turn left onto Brent Point Rd. (Route 658). The park is in several parcels on Brent Point Rd. Latitude, 38.428475. Longitude, -77.334705. Drive Time: Northern Virginia, an hour; Richmond, one and a half hours; Tidewater-Norfolk-Virginia Beach, two and a half hours; Roanoke, four hours.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jul 31, 2026
- Virginia State Parks 'Find a park' list (HTML, one 'Name (CODE)' link per park)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology