| South Central Maryland. 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 three 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 three miles on the right.
FEATURES:
Fishing -- One can fish from the shore or from several stationary piers located at Sweden Point Marina. Fish include: large & smallmouth bass, catfish, white & yellow perch, striped bass (rockfish), carp & hardhead. A Chesapeake Bay Sportfishing License is required. Fishing licenses can be purchased at Sweden Point Marina Concessions.
Recycled Tire Playground -- Children ages 5-12 can enjoy climbing walls, zip lines, a ten-tire bouncer, tire swings, a fish music wall & much more. Through a cooperative project between the Maryland Department of Environment, Maryland Environmental Service, & DNR, funding was made available for the construction of a community built tire playground at Smallwood. In a four day period, a playground with the theme of fish & history was created. The playground entrance features art murals by Mattawoman Creek Art Center artists Bob Kenyon & Gene McCandless, & the fishing theme can be seen throughout the playground as over 65 hand-painted fish dot every piece of equipment. More than half of the structures are accessible to children with disabilities.
Picnicking -- Picnic tables & grills are available at the Sweden Point Concession area & at various points in the historic area of the park. Three pavilions are available by reservation.
Hiking -- The trails at Smallwood meander through the hardwood forest, passing many natural & historical points of interest. The entire trail system is approximately two miles in length with several marked exit points if the walk becomes too strenuous. Trail maps are available at the park office.
Historic Area -- Smallwood's Retreat House, a restored 18th century tidewater plantation & a 19th century tobacco barn are open Sundays, May through September, from one to five p.m. Tours can be arranged with a minimum of two weeks notice.
Birding -- Self-guided birding opportunities in Charles County.
Camping -- Sixteen family campsites with electric hook-ups are available under the canopy of a hardwood forest. Four camper cabins sleep four & two cabins sleep six & have heat & air conditioning. A picnic table, lantern post & fire ring are provided on each site. Bath house facilities with hot showers are also provided. In 2005, camping is available April 29-October 31.
Youth Group Camping -- There are two youth group camping sites available, reservations are required. Youth Group passes are honored. Each youth group site can accommodate approximately 30 people. Access to restroom facilities, fire ring, & one 12 foot picnic table are provided with each site.
Bass Tournaments -- 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, & there is a small tournament permit service charge to cover administrative costs. Tournaments can be booked a year in advance.
Accessibility -- Smallwood State Park offers an accessible fishing pier, marina office, campground bathhouses, shelters, six camper cabins & day use comfort stations.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Smallwood is within 40 minutes of Washington, D.C. via the Route 210 corridor.
Smallwood State Park is the starting point for a 26.5 mile bike tour of Southern Charles County. The entire tour is featured in Anne H. Oman's book, 25 Bicycle Tours in Maryland -- General Smallwood Country Tour.
Historical points of interest nearby include Thomas Stone National Historic Site, Fort Washington National Historic Site, Dr. Samuel Mudd House, Port Tobacco Court House & One-Room School House.
There are several scenic flat H2O canoe routes in Southern Charles County -- contact the Southern Region Nature Tourism Coordinator at 301-743-5928 for additional information.
Nearby Public Lands: Purse State Park (fishing, hunting, fossil hunting); Chapel Point State Park (fishing, canoe & john-boat launch, unguarded swimming, hunting); Mattawoman NEA (canoeing, hiking, & fishing); Zekiah NEA (canoeing & fishing). |
Smallwood State Park Campground Web Site
Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
38.554332, -77.178804
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Campground: Smallwood State Park in Marbury Maryland *