Smallwood State Park

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, Historic St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Port Tobacco Court House and One-Room School House.
  • There are several scenic flat water canoe routes in Southern Charles County -- contact the Southern Region Nature Tourism Coordinator at 301-743-5928 for additional information.
  • Nearby Public Lands: Chapel Point State Park (fishing, canoe and john-boat launch, hunting); Mattawoman NEA (canoeing, hiking, and fishing); Chapman State Park (history, hiking, hunting and fishing).
  • Zekiah Swamp NEA is a 443 acre park located in Charles County along Route 234 at the Wicomico River. Visitors may park along the roadside to hand launch small watercraft. This is also a very popular fishing spot in the region.
  • Chapman State Park stretches from the Potomac River to Mattawoman Creek, covering 2,160 acres in western Charles County. It is a dramatic reminder of the great woodlands that once cradled the Potomac tidewater. The park features the Chapman family mansion currently known as Mt. Aventine. This tidewater plantation home was built in 1840. Monthly open houses are conducted by the Friends of Chapman State Park.
  • Recreational opportunities include birding, fishing and hunting. Although picnic tables are not available, picnicking on the grounds with a blanket is popular. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The outside gate is only open on Open House days. Limited parking is available near the gate and visitors are encouraged to walk into the park. The area north of Route 210 is used for hiking, biking, bird watching and hunting.