Leesylvania State Park in Prince William Country, Virginia

Located in Prince William County, Virginia, Leesylvania State Park is a surprisingly diverse suburban park situated right on the Potomac River and only a shorty drive from many nearby residential areas. Although the park gets quite busy during the weekends in the spring and summer, Leesylvania State Park offers an easy get away for recreational opportunities for hiking, fishing, family gatherings and wildlife appreciation. The park is located on a quite historical parcel of land, and there are resources at the visitors center and interpretive historical trails that tell the story of the park's previous residents. Leesylvania State Park also has a very popular boat ramp accessible for an additional fee.

Boat Ramp Leesylvania State Park

With it's convenient location, the Leesylvania State Park boat ramp is a great way for locals to launch out into the Potomac. Just be aware that you won't be the only one with the camp in mind during the nicer months. There's plenty of parking, and the ramps usually move pretty efficiently; just be sure to keep your patience and your cool.

Leesylvania State Park Trails

Despite its proximity to rampant suburban sprawl, Leesylvania State Park has a wide ranges of habitats, ranging from shoreline to swamp to deciduous forest with a network of trails connecting the different zones. There are also interpretive natural and historic trails available with brochure guides. All trails are pretty short, but you can inquire at the visitors center on how to connect the trails for a longer hike.

Fishing and Wildlife at Leesylvania State Park

Whether it is along the shore line, on the fishing pier or boating along the Potomac, Leesylvania State Park has a number of good opportunities for fishing. For catfish and perch, try your luck out on the 300 foot fishing pier at the far end of park. If you're angling for largemouth bass, make your way from the first parking area past the bridge a little ways. If you are a bass fisherman, you'll know the right spot back there when you see it. For fishing trips with children, you might spend a little time fishing right under the bridge where they are very likely to catch a couple little fish, but I've seen some monster sized catfish pulled out of this spot as well.

Wildlife watchers will be awarded with a little patience at the variety of wild animals that make Leesylvania State Park their home. A viewing area at the swamp area is great for bird watching. Regular forest critters abound in the park, and deer are a little too common in the park, often lining the roads at dusk.