George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion, Virginia — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

The Popes Creek Picnic Area Pavilion is located within George Washington Birthplace National Monument. The surrounding picnic grounds were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. A connecting foot bridge leads to the historic area, farm, colonial garden, visitor center and gift shop. The Washington family burial ground is located one mile away.

Recreation

George Washington Birthplace offers a variety of recreational activities including fishing on Popes Creek and on the Potomac River, canoeing and kayaking from the Potomac River beach, hiking, bike riding on park roads, and bird watching.

Facilities

The 30' by 42' picnic pavilion contains 12 picnic tables and two grills. Restrooms and a water fountain are 80' away. (The use of amplified music and public address systems requires a permit and a portable power source.) Parking is available for 25 vehicles on a first come first served basis.

Natural Features

The pavilion and picnic area sit on a bluff overlooking the mouth of Pope's Creek with views of the Potomac River in the distance. A one mile nature trail meanders along the shore of Popes Creek and through wooded areas. A connecting trail and series of boardwalks takes visitors through Dancing Marsh and into the historic area.

Nearby Attractions

Numerous attractions surround the area, including: Westmoreland State Park, Stratford Hall Plantation (Birthplace of Robert E. Lee), Historic Christ Church, Historic Fredericksburg, Menokin (Home of Francis Lightfoot Lee), Northern Neck Wine Trail, The Lower Potomac River Water Trail, The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Belle Isle State Park and James Monroe Birthplace.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (804) 761-5160.

The facts

1 bookable site
2 sites in total, including non-bookable
2 sites for day use only
Up to 75 people per site
Loops: George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavili, George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion

Site types

1 Group Picnic Area
1 Management

Amenities

Electric hookups
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

2 campsites at George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion

Check-in 9:00 AM · Check-out 5:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
Pavilion	George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavili	Group Picnic Area	Pull Through	Paved	Slight	Riverfront	—	75	🐾
Pavilion	George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion	Management	Pull Through	Paved	Slight	Riverfront	—	75	🐾

Getting there

From Fredericksburg/I-95: Exit I-95 at Exit 130 A and continue onto Route 3 East. Follow Route 3 East for 38 miles. Look for Route 204, which is on the left. After turning down Route 204, entrance to park is approximately 2 miles. From Route 301: Follow Route 3 East approximately 12 miles. Take the left at Route 204. After turning down Route 204, entrance to park is approximately 2 miles.
From Route 360: Follow George Washington Birthplace signs out of Warsaw, VA. Take Route 3 West approximately 22 miles. Take the right at Route 204. After turning down Route 204, entrance to the park is approximately 2 miles.
For GPS Devices use the following address: 1732 Popes Creek Road, Colonial Beach, VA 22443

38.18944, -76.91444 · 38°11'22.0"N 76°54'52.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	3.3	2.9	3.9	3.4	4.3	4.3	3.9	5.0	4.5	4.7	3.2	3.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 12.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion

Can you reserve a site at George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion?: Yes, George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion have?: 2 sites in total, of which 1 can be booked.
Are pets allowed at George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion?: Yes, pets are allowed at George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion.
Does George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion have hookups?: Electric.

Camping near George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion

Pax River Paradise Grove Campgrounds 29.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds 29.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Telegraph Picnic Pavilion 34.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Thomas Stone Visitor Center 24.5 mi · Facility
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail 26 mi · Facility
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail 26.1 mi · Facility
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail 26.1 mi · Facility
Jackson Death Site 28.7 mi · Visitor Center
Chatham 30.5 mi · Visitor Center
Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center 30.9 mi · Visitor Center
Fredericksburg Battlefield Bookstore 30.9 mi · Visitor Center
Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center 34.7 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion