Caledon State Park

With only six campsites and a holiday weekend as the desired excursion, I snagged a reservation well in advance. And I didn't yet know how popular the little primitive campground on the Potomac River was. This fact came as a bit of a surprise because a little more effort is involved in this type of state park camping trip, as the only access is by foot (or bike, kayak, or canoe). We pulled out our backpacking gear and hiked the 3 miles from where we parked our vehicle at the visitor center. 

For those wanting to try backpacking for the first time or need to test out new gear, Caledon State Park is the perfect place for a low-risk adventure. The hike to the campground has very little elevation gain and is mostly shaded. The park rangers are incredibly helpful and will check on campers during their stay. Plus, the campground has two port-a-johns, so no need to dig holes. 

But the highlight of this overnight destination, especially on the Fourth of July, is its location right on the shores of the Potomac. A few steps from our campsite led us to a shady beach spot where we swam, read, marveled at eagles carrying their freshly-caught dinner, collected sea glass of various colors, soaked in the most amazing sunset, and watched fireworks light up the night sky in all directions.

On top of a unique camp setting, Caledon’s visitor center is fantastic. Exhibits are showcased in the rooms of the historic Smoot House, offering bald eagle displays, hands-on activities, as well as a live feed of the bluebird house out back that was home to very cute and hungry babies during our visit. 

Tips:

• The campground does not have running water. Do not go with the assumption that you can filter the nonpotable water (like we did). There is no water period. Thankfully, we brought enough water and even had some leftover when we arrived back at our car. And we are big water drinkers. If you’re curious, we packed in approximately 12 liters for four people for a 24-hour period. This included water to drink and water to cook dinner and breakfast with, as well as make coffee in an AeroPress for two people. 

• Some sites are better than others. I’ll go ahead and say it; all sites are better than the one we had. Five of the six sites have shade and good trees for hanging a hammock. Our site was in full sun from around late morning to 7:00 p.m. And my husband, who sleeps in a hammock because we do not all fit in the 3-person tent, had to do some MacGyvering to figure out how to hang his hammock between the only two trees on our site that could work. 

• Take the short detour off the trail on your hike in. It’s marked with pink flagging tape and leads to a 320-year-old white oak. There is a bench there to rest your legs while you marvel at this huge, majestic tree. 

• Walk the beach at the campground. We found lots of seaglass!

• Use this park as a base camp for taking day trips to nearby Widewater, Mason Neck, and Leesylvania state parks. They are all on the Potomac River and relatively close together, providing a great four-park excursion.

Fast Facts (and Opinions)

Location: Caledon State Park, King George, VA

Equipment: Primitive backcountry camping (3-person tent, hammock)

Date: Independence Day 2025

Weather: Sunny, hot during the day, chilly at night

Kid-Friendly: Yes (ours were ages 12 and 11)

Dog-Friendly: Yes (but we did not bring ours)

Site: 3

• Sand-filled tent pad

• No electricity or water

• Very little shade, in the full sun for most of the day

• View of the Potomac River through the trees on the shore

• Semi-private, trees on one side

• No good hammock trees

• Fire ring, picnic table, lantern pole

• Firewood for purchase (can purchase in advance at the visitor center if you do not have cash)

• 2 port-a-johns

• Shared pavilion with 2 picnic tables near river access point with kayak/canoe launch

Cell Service: Yes (Verizon)

Park Highlights:

Click here to watch highlight reel.

• Potomac River camping

• Potomac River access (fishing, swimming - no designated swimming areas)

• Hiking and biking trails

• Nice visitor center

Area Highlights:

• We visited 3 additional state parks in the area: Widewater, Mason Neck, and Leesylvania.

Park Hikes:

• Hampstead Road Trail to Jones Pond Loop to primitive campground - 3-mile point-to-point

• Hike to campground from visitor center parking lot

• Mostly shaded

• 202 feet elevation gain

• Easy

Area Hikes:

• Widewater State Park - Long Pond Trail - .9-mile loop

  • Flat, easy loop near visitor center

  • Shaded

  • Views of Potomac River and pond

• Mason Neck State Park - Visitor Center to Bayview to Wilson Spring to High Point Multi-Use Trail back to Visitor Center - 1.6-mile loop

  • Flat, easy loop near visitor center

  • Mostly shaded

  • Boardwalks

  • Views of Potomac River

• Leesylvania State Park - Boat launch parking area to Potomac Trail to Lee's Woods Trail (double loop/figure eight) back to parking lot - 2.5-mile out-and-back

  • Potomac Trail leads through crowded picnic area on the river

  • Lee's Woods Trail is a little confusing to follow - many downed trees - mostly shaded - historic remnants, sites, markers to learn about the area

  • 264 feet elevation gain

• Leesylvania State Park - Other boat launch parking area to Bushey Point Trail to train trestle - .9-mile out-and-back

  • Easy, flat, short portion of the trail 

  • Nice view of the trestle over the Potomac

Other Campsites:

• Site 2 looks to be the best (private, shaded, spacious, views of the river, close to port-a-johns)

Things to Do Next Visit (Because There's Just Never Enough Time!):

• Hike more trails - we only had time to backpack in and out

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