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Westmoreland
Overview
Westmoreland State Park offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and deep American history along the banks of the Potomac River. Established in 1936 as one of Virginia's original state parks, it has long served as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors are often drawn to the park's spectacular river views and the dramatic landscape shaped by the water over centuries. It provides a peaceful, shaded retreat for those looking to enjoy the rugged charm of Virginia’s Northern Neck area.
Location & Surroundings
Located in Westmoreland County near the town of Montross, the park covers over 1,300 acres of diverse coastal terrain. The most iconic geographic feature here is the Horsehead Cliffs, which provide a stunning perspective of the Potomac River. The surrounding environment is characterized by dense hardwood forests and tranquil wetlands. This location places travelers in the heart of a quiet, rural region that feels a world away from the city while staying close to significant historic sites and colonial landmarks.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground offers several loops with a variety of site types, including those equipped with water and electrical hookups for RV travelers. Essential facilities include clean bathhouses with hot showers, a laundry area, and a convenient dump station for self-contained rigs. The park is well-known for its seasonal Olympic-sized swimming pool and a dedicated fishing pier that extends into the river. Additionally, a boat ramp is available for those wishing to explore the Potomac by water, and the camp store provides basic supplies and firewood.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Exploring the shoreline is a must, particularly the trek to Fossil Beach, where visitors frequently find ancient sharks' teeth and other prehistoric remains. The park features an extensive trail system, including the popular Big Meadow Trail, which winds through diverse habitats and offers birdwatching opportunities. Just a few miles away, guests can visit Stratford Hall, the historic home of the Lee family, or explore the George Washington Birthplace National Monument for a full day of local discovery and historical education.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is a perfect match for nature photographers and families seeking an educational and active getaway. It is particularly well-suited for travelers who enjoy a classic state park atmosphere over a commercialized resort. If you value a quiet evening by a campfire and days spent hunting for fossils or hiking through coastal forests, Westmoreland will fit your travel style perfectly. It is ideal for mid-sized RVs and those who appreciate being immersed in a preserved, quiet natural environment.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
C D
Overall rating and satisfaction = very good and will go again. Beautiful place, well kept, clean, safe, quiet, very polite and helpful staff all around. Pros Campground B - showers and bathrooms very well kept, clean, appealing & modern. Picnic tables were super nice and sturdy. Nice fire pit/ fire ring with adjustable grill grid. Check in and out very easy and fast. Felt safe throughout park and it was very clean overall. We can't say enough positive things about the park and campground. Near entrance of the park.... Bird Dogs bait/convenience store was awesome.... really nice people, helpful, country store, bait, ice, firewood, etc. 5 stars Cons (very minimal) Several different versions of park map with outdated/inaccurate info - we ended up with several different versions, there isn't a swimming pool anymore (but we were told when we made the camping reservation that it would be open). One map showed there was a pool but it isn't there anymore. Showed there was a laundry facility in Campground A but we couldn't find it. We went off season so park store wasn't open as frequently. Suggestion ... update park literature and provide only new versions. Fossil beach: Trail had beautiful scenery but a lot of roots growing in trail making it rough. We took a beach wagon (thinking it would be perfect to carry our stuff and fishing poles) but it didn't work well. Tipped over many times and hard to pull on trail. Definately check the tide schedule (our fault... we didn't think about that) and go before high tide. During high tide there is very little beach/sand area but we still had a great experience and will go back.
Noel Eldridge
Nice place to visits. Beautiful vistas. Options for kayaking. Two beaches. Different campgrounds for tents and RVs. Hiking trails are nice, but no long trails for all-day hikes. Saw 2 lizards and a small snake without even looking hard to see them. Lots of different types of trees, etc. Places to go out for dinner or lunch a few miles down the road in Montross, or in Colonial Beach if coming from or heading back to the DC or Baltimore area.
Srinivas Talur
Visited for a day trip. State park has entry fee of $10 for cars. Like all other state parks entry is free if you booked camping. Park has two beaches and 3 trails. From visiting center Big meadow trial is around 0.6 miles which takes to Fossil beach. Trial is little challenging for elderly people. Beach space is small. If you are interested on shark teeth or fossil collection then this is best place. Not a good place to swim. There are cliffs on both ends of fossil beach. There is another beach which is convenient for swim and kayaking. Lot a picnic tables in that beach area. For fossil beach park near visiting center. For swim and kayaking there is another parking very near to beach. Get your food. No options to buy food. However chops and ice cream vending machines available in visiting center
Joe Dreyfuss
I had some extra time today and decided to visit Westmoreland State Park. After a quick visit to the visitor center I walked down to fossil beach via Big Meadow Trail. Easy trail downhill, easy trail uphill back, with a bench halfway to use as you fancy. Quiet little family beach on the Potomac River. Smooth water. Some people had colanders. I guess looking for fossils. I squatted at the water line like they were but saw no bones. I did find a few cool palm-sized skipping stones. Sort of triangles, two sides were more beveled then the other. They skipped really well. I will plan a longer visit to see the other trails. Maybe get lucky and find some fossils.
Paige Bramhall
Went to Westmoreland State Park after a work meeting one afternoon! The park rangers in charge of the visitor's center were quite helpful. I made my way down to fossil beach where i found a fossil!! The trails are well marked, with the fossil beach trail being the most used. The drive into the park was absolutely beautiful, a split road where you wind through the woods. Oh, fun fact, when I went, it must've been mating season for tiny black weevils, because they were ALL over fossil beach. And, these tiny, tiny toads were all over the other trails I did (trail guide for scale)