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State Park Information |
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Smallwood State Park
Marbury, 20658
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State Park Overview |
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Camping |
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Trails |
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Picnicking |
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Fishing and Hunting |
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One can fish from the shore or from several stationary piers located at Sweden Point Marina. Fish that could be caught include large and smallmouth bass, catfish, white and yellow perch, carp and hardhead. A Chesapeake Bay Sportfishing License is required. Fishing licenses can be purchased at Sweden Point Marina Concessions.
The Potomac River is one of the premier Bass Fishing areas on the East Coast. Smallwood hosts many tournaments throughout the year. All tournaments are required to be registered at Smallwood, and there is a small tournament permit service charge to cover administrative costs. Tournaments can be booked a year in advance. For a current tournament listing, tournament rules, weigh station guidelines or to book a tournament please contact the park office at 301-743-7613. |
History of the Area |
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Smallwood was the home of General William Smallwood, a Revolutionary War officer who was the 4th Governor of Maryland. His house, called Smallwoods Retreat, has been restored and is open to visitors. Sweden Point Marina has 50 boat slips and excellent access for fishing on the Potomac River.
Smallwoods Retreat plantation house is open free to the public from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays from May until the end of September. Tours are conducted by costumed docents. Group tours are available upon request. For information about scheduling a group tour call 301-743-7613.
Smallwood reached the rank of major general for his service as a patriot leader during the Revolutionary War. He was elected Governor of Maryland in 1785, and later served in the Maryland Senate. The plantation house reflects Smallwoods lifestyle as a gentleman planter.
Besides the restored house, the 628 acre park offers a marina, boat launching ramps, a picnic area, camping area, pavilions, a recycled tire playground and nature trails. On occasion, there are craft demonstrations, military exhibitions and other special events. A park map is available from the park office.
Smallwood State Park was dedicated in September 1958, as a historic park. At the time, the park consisted of 30 acres of land which included the Retreat House and the grave site of General William Smallwood. Smallwood State Park takes its name from General William Smallwood, a native born Charles Countian. He was the highest ranked Marylander who served in the American Revolutionary War. During his term as the 4th Governor of Maryland, Maryland ratified the Federal Constitution.
Sweden Point Marina was not always known as Sweden Point. At one time it was referred to as Sweetmans Landing. The area that is referred to as Grinders Wharf (which is only a few exposed pilings today) was built on a naturally deep water channel in the Mattawoman Creek. The Grinder family was one of the areas major brick manufacturers in the Chicamuxen area. They in turn used Grinders Wharf to ship their brick out to the wholesalers. In the mid 1800s the wharf was used by the Washington Steamship Lines on the Potomac. The steamers would pick up water on their journey south to the Chesapeake Bay. |
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More Info |
Area Campgrounds | | Burke Lake Park Library
7315 Ox Rd
Fairfax Station, VA
(703) 323-6600
| Aquia Pines Campground
3071 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Stafford, VA
(540) 659-3447
| Goose Bay Marina Inc
9365 Goosebay Ln
Welcome, MD
(301) 932-0885
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Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Dawson's Small Arms of the World
14510 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Woodbridge, VA
(703) 490-3308
| LC Country Store & More
1741 Brooke Rd
Stafford, VA
(540) 659-6006
| Aquia Creek Outfitters
3306 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Stafford, VA
(540) 659-0852
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Area Resorts and Lodging | | Great Eastern Resorts Corp
1549 Old Bridge Rd
Woodbridge, VA
(703) 494-8505
| Sandals All Inclusive Resorts by Preferrd TRVL Inc
8432 Old Keene Mill Rd
Springfield, VA
(703) 644-6844
| Fairfield Resorts
1757 King St
Alexandria, VA
(703) 837-3400
| Courtyard Springfield
6710 Commerce St
Springfield, VA
(703) 924-7200
| Animal Resorts Inc
3208 Colvin St
Alexandria, VA
(703) 823-3647
| Rosen Hotels & Resorts
908 King St
Alexandria, VA
(703) 780-4009
| Fairmont Hotels & Resorts The
705 Avon pl
Alexandria, VA
(703) 299-6763
| Adams Mark Hotels & Resorts
12304 Macrina CT
Woodbridge, VA
(703) 492-7444
| Courtyard-Alexandria
2700 Eisenhower Ave
Alexandria, VA
(703) 329-2323
| Silliman Thomas Associates
425 N Lee St
Alexandria, VA
(703) 548-4100
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Take Route 301 south to La Plata, to west on Route 225 to Route 224. At the light at Route 224 turn left (south). Park entrance is approximately 3 miles on the right.
From Route 210 south towards Indian Head, take a left (east) on Route 225 to Route 224. At the light at Route 224 turn right (south). Park entrance is approximately 3 miles on the right. |
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