Leesylvania State Park
Details
Let’s take a walk in Leesylvania State Park!
Leesylvania State Park or "Lee's Woods" is the ancestral homeland of the Lee Family – the revolutionary war hero "Light Horse" Harry Lee once owned this land. He got the nickname because of his fine horsemanship and leadership as a cavalry officer during that war. His son would later lead the Army of Northern Virginia during another war.
Today, the 508-acre land is a very scenic waterfront park. Its wooded ravines, rolling hills, and shoreline are home to birds, ducks, deer, and its offshore waters teem with fish (and sailboats).
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The route: For the first leg, we’ll depart from the Visitor Center parking lot and follow Potomac Trail (yellow) northeast along the shoreline to Lee’s Wood’s Historic Trail (red), where we’ll do a loop through the woods and return, a distance of 2.8 miles. Along the trail we'll see what remains of a Civil War fort, the Lee and Fairfax Houses, and the Lee-Fairfax Cemetery.
After a short break, we’ll walk south from the Visitor Center parking lot and follow the shoreline to walk along Bushey Point Trail (green) and Powell’s Creek Trail (blue) to Daniel Ludwig Drive and return, a distance of 2.8 miles
This will be our usual two hour walk/hike, with about 5.6 miles of smiles. The well-maintained trails are mostly dirt, and a mix of easy and moderate.
Google trail map here (http://tinyurl.com/n4yqh3q).
How to get there: From I-95 South, take Exit 156 and go east on Dale Boulevard (VA 784) to US 1 South. Turn right onto US 1, then turn left onto Neasbco Road (VA 610) east and go 1.5 miles to the park entrance. Turn right onto Daniel Ludwig Drive and follow it through the woods, under a railroad bridge overpass, and along the shoreline. Continue straight past the sign for the Breakwater Store and the Visitor Center parking lot will be to your right. We'll assemble in front of the Visitor Center.
Sorry, this is not a Metro-accessible hike.
Weather: The forecast is clear and a high of 67 degrees. Updates here (http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:22191.1.99999?).
What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, your furry friend (leashes please), and $5 per vehicle for the park fee.
Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. This group is a kids-free zone, no one under 18 years of age is permitted.
Cost: $5 per vehicle parking fee.
Notes:
• Leesylvania State Park (http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/leesylvania.shtml#general_information)