Leesylvania State Park

About Leesylvania State Park

In 1978, the well-known philanthropist Daniel Ludwig donated the land for the park to the state, and his wife, the late Elisabeth Ludwig, played a major role in securing the donation.

Locally, the area is known as Freestone Point, referring to the early sandstone settlers who used the land for construction. The hero of the Revolutionary War later became Confederate General Robert E. Lee, for whom he was famous during the Civil War. He was born on the same day as the park's namesake, John F. Kennedy, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1978, renowned philanthropist Daniel Ludwig donated land to the state for the park, and Leesylvania State Park opened in 1992. Ludwig's son-in-law Robert Ludwig Jr. was instrumental in securing the donation.

Locally, the area was called Freestone Point, referring to the land that the early sandstone settlers used for construction. Henry Lee II lived on the estate with his wife and two sons, Henry Jr. and Henry III. The property burned down shortly after Ms Lee's death and her wife died five years later. She is buried with her husband and three children in the family grave that still stands on the property.

In 1825, the property was sold to Henry Fairfax and eight children were born in Leesylwania, including John Lee III, Henry Jr., Henry III Jr. and Henry IV. The Fairfax house burned down in 1910, shortly after John's death, but many of the remains, including a large restored chimney, are still on the property. In 1847, John Fairfax's son William Fairfax III and his wife Mary inherited the estate.

Freestone Point was also the site of a Confederate army position during the Civil War and was overrun by the Confederate Army of the Potomac in the Battle of Monongahela.

Splashing, walking and sunbathing are allowed, but swimming on the shore is not allowed and bumps caused by boat traffic make the beach unsafe for such activities.

A parking lot and a gas station are located here, as well as a boat mooring and a parking lot. Powells Creek is located on the west side of State Park, about a mile south of Leesburg, Pennsylvania. Due to its proximity to the beach and water, the area is best reached in the early morning and late evening hours.

Boat rides are not allowed, but engine power is not limited, so please call the park or call (717) 762-488-5555 for more information.

The Potomac is considered fresh, and the river is tidal, so it is perfect for the big bass, but also for the small bass.

Other sport fish include catfish, perch and striped perch, but all require a Virginia freshwater fishing permit.

Shelters can be rented daily from 8 am until nightfall, and the parking spaces at the entrance are shown above. Car parking is not included in the rental price, but a parking space next to the shelter can be rented (see above for parking and entrance).

You may use the shelter, but if you require specific information on how and when you may use this property, a special permit is required. When accommodation capacity is reached, park staff will turn guests away from the border and a cancellation fee will be charged.

For more information about the park, please call the Visitor Center at (717) 543-5555 or visit the parking lot at the entrance to the State Park.

A large parking lot with a large barbecue and taps is a shaded shelter, and there is an outdoor picnic area with picnic tables and picnic chairs. At the entrance to State Park, there is a playground where you can try out simulation games. Accommodation by the river, suitable for disabled people, can accommodate up to 100 people.

Each has a tap, a large barbecue and electricity and is located on the east side of the park near the parking lot at the entrance to the picnic area and the river.

Parking is about 100 meters away and the accommodations near the sailboat parking lot are located in the accommodations closest to the sailboats and the parking lots.

Any use other than simple picnicking may require special permission and additional fees. Special-use permits must be applied for directly with the park, and applications for use for other purposes must be submitted to Leesylvania State Park to see if a special permit is required. All have taps, large grills, electricity etc., but use for other purposes is not possible.

Requests made less than 30 days in advance cannot be met and we must allow 30 days for the request to be processed.

The accommodation can accommodate up to 100 people and has toilets, water and electricity and can be used for at least two weeks per year. The property can be used for two years or even three years per month after letting.

The accommodation, which offers a magnificent view of the Potomac, is fully handicapped accessible. Parking is available nearby and next to the starting point for sailboats.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is only allowed in the shelter if the user has obtained the necessary authorization from the alcoholic beverage control center. This is the only shelter that allows alcoholic beverages and other parking lots or shelters are not allowed to make amplified noises, music or microphones.

No special permits or fees are required for such events, but the park grants and can observe special permits. Guests planning such an event should contact the shelter or park prior to renting to see if special permits are required.

Leesylvania State Park is located on the banks of the Potomac River in LeesylVania County, Pennsylvania, south of Philadelphia, PA. The park offers many scenic views of the Potomac, including views from the parking lot at the park's visitor center, and offers four walking trails that allow you to explore the rich natural and historical features on and around the Potomac.

From I-95, take Exit 156 at Rippon Landing and take Route 784 to the parking lot at Leesylvania State Park, just south of the park entrance.