Leesylvania State Park: An Easy Side of Moderate 7 Miles with Post Hike Meal
- February 24 · 10:00 AM
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Easy Side of Moderate 7 Miles in Beautiful Leesylvania State Park and Optional Post Hike Meal!
Leesylvania State Park lies on a small peninsula poking into the Potomac River only about 25 miles southwest of Washington.
Leesylvania State Park's trails are short, easy to hike, and most of all fun! You will find a virtual textbook worth of American history along the Lee's Woods Historic Trail. The bluff on Freestone Point was the site of a civil War artillery. There is a quite side to the park as well, a place along Powell's Creek Nature Trail where you can learn the natural story of a small Potomac River tributary.
The parks landscape features wooded uplands, wetlands, coastal bluffs, a sandy beach, and of course - hiking trails. Trees and wildflowers flourish, as do deer, beavers, and other four-footed creatures. Fauna watchers, though, mostly prize its eagles, ospreys, ducks, cormorants, and herons. The park picnic area features ½-mile of natural sand beach on the Potomac River. 
Swimming from the shore is not allowed, but wading is, so in warmer weather it is most inviting to enjoy a dip. The park has five hiking trails passing through rich natural and historical features of the Potomac. The park also includes a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and also boasts many scenic overlooks of the Potomac including one on the remains of a Civil War Confederate gun battery at Freestone Point. Leesylvania has a large visitor center featuring historic and nature displays. © Copyright 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Washington, DC Published by Menasha Ridge Press. All Rights Reserved.
Hike Pace
The pace for this hike will be that of an average hiker: about 2.5 mph
Trail Information
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Cherry Hill, VA
Length: 7 total miles
Scenery: Wooded uplands, wet-lands, river and beach views
Exposure: Mostly shady; less so in winter
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Skill Level: Easy Side of Moderate
Duration: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Trail Surface: Mostly dirt; also some boardwalk, pavement, gravel, pebbles, stairs, forested trails and sand
Season: Best in late fall, winter, and early spring when the crowds thin out and bare trees allow for better views of the water. However, in the summer this is a fantastic area for a hike followed by a picnic and a dip in the water.
Local Maps: USGS Quantico, Indian Head
Topo Map: Leesylvania State Park Topographic Map
Facilities: Toilets and water near trailhead; toilets, water, phone, warm-season food store on riverfront; water at Freestone Point
Concessions: The park store only operates from April through October. It features a snack bar offering pizza, sandwiches, breakfast items, ice cream and cold drinks. Groceries, marine gasoline and oil, bait and tackle, t-shirts, hats and souvenirs are also available during that time. The marina store has a boat pump-out station and bathrooms with showers. Gas is available (pay at the pump) all year, 24 hours a day. The park also offers sailboat rentals through a private concessionaire
Our RSVP Policies and Group Etiquette Click here to review our policies
Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine! Click here for up to the minute weather information for the trailhead.
Gear Information
Here are some suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes.
Carpool Information
There are 2 suggested carpools for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore metro area, you can arrange to meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.
VA Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, you can arrange to meet at the Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station. Click here for directionsto Metro Vienna GMU Station in Fairfax, VA. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.
If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post your location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!
Directions to Where We Meet for the Hike
Click Here for Directions to Where We Meet.
Hike Time is 10:00 a.m.
Carpool meetup time from Savage Station is 8:15 a.m.
Carpool meetup time from Vienna Metro Station is 9:00 a.m.
Park Entrance Fee
There is a park entrance fee of $5 on weekends. Park fee is per vehicle and not per person for and is for up to 6 people in the same vehicle.
Optional Post Hike Meal and Menu
We will have an optional post hike meal at Waters Edge, 13188 Marina Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191. Click Here to see a menu to get an idea for their offerings and prices if you would like to check it out before deciding to attend.
Please remember we are a social hiking group that values fellowship and camaraderie and practice good hike etiquette. We take breaks as necessary and have at least one guide in the front in addition to a "sweeper" in the back for optimum safety on the trail, which helps make sure that no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then please find another group! We are very supportive, encouraging, and focus on safety while getting or staying fit on the trail and practicing Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.
A Leashed Fido is Welcome on This Hike!
Please take the hike leaders number with you and enjoy the hike!
Ken: [masked]
Harrison: [masked]
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Kevin Mahoney
Ken did a fantastic job of leading the hike. Great weather and good company. This was my first hike with the group and am looking forward to more in 2013!
1 · February 25
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Carol Galaty
A great hike, in a beautiful park I had never been to, with very interesting people on a perfect hiking day. My condolences to those who didn't join us for a fun lunch that was a wonderful extension of the hike and stimulating hike conversations.
1 · February 24
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Betsy Levin
Very nice hike and beautiful day. Ken was a great leader even if he had a larger number of people than he planned. He gave us time to look at the historic sites and markers and the beautiful views, and still completed the hike in good time. I had never been to Leesylvania Park before -- it is a lovely place to hike, walk, picnic.
1 · February 24
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Ken
Thanks to everyone who joined me on the great hike we had today along the Potomac River. The weather was fantastic and you all were a great group of hikers to be leading. I also had a great time with those of you who joined me for lunch at the Water's Edge restaurant. We were able to get a nice table by the water, but fortunately in an area enclosed in clear plastic so we had a good view where it was warm. We even got to see a soaring Eagle over the water. I hope to see you again on another MAHG hike.
2 · February 24
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Christine Zapp
I am so jealous of you all out there and was looking forward to this hike! This dang cold is taking over me . I am determined to make the Monument hike tonite. Looking forward to seeing today's pics. Have a blast everyone and remain safe!
February 24
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Ken
My cell phone is not working this morning, so if you need to contact a Hike Leader, call Harrison. See you at the Park.
February 24
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Geoff Howe
i suddenly have a plumbing crisis and unfortunately won't make it this time...
February 23
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Christine Zapp
Still feeling congested and dont want to push myself with two big hikes. Hope to get the next one and work on doing the light evening monument one instead. Have fun everyone! Sighh
February 23
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Christine Zapp
Hey Everyone,
Apparently l heard from Besty that both Vienna and Dunn Lorring Metro are closed tomorrow for tracking repair. Has things changed?February 23
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Betsy Levin
Christine, I responded to your message about meeting me at Dunn Loring station. It turns out that Dunn Loring and Vienna metro stations are closed for track work over the weekend. I'll have to find another way to get to Leesylvania Park. Thanks. Betsy
1 · February 22
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Christine Zapp
Oh goodness , l had no idea it was closed. Do u drive at all? Could u meet up somewhere and then l will drive?
February 23
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Christine Zapp
I am scheduled to meet at the Vienna metro tomorrow morning and would like to confirm a ride with someone from the Vienna Metro. Does anyone have a ride for me? Greatly appreciated and thank you!
February 22
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Ann Coleman
Hi, Due to unfortunate conflicting obligations. I will need to leave the park at 1 -- is there an option to track back to the parking lot at some point?
February 22
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Christine Zapp
Betsy, is there anyway you could metro to the Dunn Lorring metro , stop before the Vienna Metro, l could meet you there and you could drive up with me if you wish? Let me know.
February 21
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Christine Zapp
Looking forward to this hike and will like to meet at Vienna Metro and ride with someone if that is possible? Another hike later in DC so will only drive if have too. Have a great day everyone!
February 17
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Kellie Carlisle
How to Move from the Wait list to a “Yes” - If you are on the wait list, you will get an e-mail as slots become available. It is a “first come first serve” system for available slots. Slots are open to everyone, whether on the wait list or not. However, being on the wait list will make certain that you are notified when open slots become available as well as letting me know to look for another leader if the trails (and parking) can accommodate it and still comply with our Leave No Trace pledge. Click the following link for how to get off the wait list and RSVP “yes”, http://www.midatlantichiking.co...
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance as that is what I am here for.1 · February 7
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Mariel
Hi everyone, I would like to grab a ride from the Vienna Metro if anyone is driving from there!
January 7
22 attended
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Carol Galaty +1
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Elda B
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Gregory Rouson
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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Laurie +1
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Dell
Checked-in -
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Russ +1
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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Your organizer's refund policy for Leesylvania State Park: An Easy Side of Moderate 7 Miles with Post Hike Meal
Refunds offered if:
- the Meetup is cancelled
- the Meetup is rescheduled
- you can cancel at least 2 day(s) before the Meetup
Additional notes: Refund only if you cancel 48 hours PRIOR to the start time of the hike.
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
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