 Smallwood State Park |
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Smallwood State Park |
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Smallwood was the home of General William Smallwood, a Revolutionary War officer who was the 4th Governor of Maryland. His house, called Smallwood's Retreat, has been restored and is open to visitors. Sweden Point Marina has 50 boat slips and excellent access for fishing on the Potomac River.
Smallwood's Retreat plantation house is open free to the public from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays from May until the end of September. Tours are conducted by costumed docents. Group tours are available upon request. For information about scheduling a group tour call 301-743-7613.
Smallwood reached the rank of major general for his service as a patriot leader during the Revolutionary War. He was elected Governor of Maryland in 1785, and later served in the Maryland Senate. The plantation house reflects Smallwood's lifestyle as a gentleman planter.
Besides the restored house, the 628 acre park offers a marina, boat launching ramps, a picnic area, camping area, pavilions, a recycled tire playground and nature trails. On occasion, there are craft demonstrations, military exhibitions and other special events. Historic weapons safety guidelines for interpretive demonstration purposes as authorized by the Maryland Park Service.
Smallwood State Park was dedicated in September 1958, as a historic park. At the time, the park consisted of 30 acres of land which included the Retreat House and the grave site of General William Smallwood. Smallwood State Park takes its name from General William Smallwood, a native born Charles Countian. He was the highest ranked Marylander who served in the American Revolutionary War. During his term as the 4th Governor of Maryland, Maryland ratified the Federal Constitution.
Sweden Point Marina was not always known as Sweden Point. At one time it was referred to as Sweetman's Landing. The area that is referred to as Grinder's Wharf (which is only a few exposed pilings today) was built on a naturally deep water channel in the Mattawoman Creek. The Grinder family was one of the areas major brick manufacturers in the Chicamuxen area. They in turn used Grinders Wharf to ship their brick out to the wholesalers. In the mid 1800's the wharf was used by the Washington Steamship Lines on the Potomac. The steamers would pick up water on their journey south to the Chesapeake Bay. A park map is available from the park office.
SWEDEN POINT MARINA
Sweden Point is located on the Mattawoman Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River. It is approximately one mile from the marina to the Potomac River.
- Sweden Point Marina is currently renting boat slips. Sweden Point is a secured marina with restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. Potable water and electric service is provide for every slip. Seasonal (5 month) rates start at only $417. For more information, call 301-743-7613.
- All marina facilities are open. A 50 slip marina, accommodating boats up to 36 feet in length (one slip can accommodate 42 foot length), includes bathhouse and laundry facilities, electric and non-potable water hook-ups. Dock-side fresh water fill station and pump-out station are available. Rates are based on the length of the boat and the duration of stay. We offer five month and annual leases. For those traveling the tidal Potomac transient berthing is also available. Vessels arriving by water may reserve slips in advance by calling 301-743-7613. Wet slip renters have 24 hours access to the facility. The area around the marina is dredged to a depth of 6 feet.
- A dry storage area is available for trailerable vessels. Dry storage has up to 50 spaces in a secure lighted area. Monthly rates are available for dry storage with owners having access to their vessels from sunrise to sunset.
- Six boat launch ramps are available. A launch service charge is in effect year round.
- Concessions - Sweden Point Marina features a small store which provides dock-side fuel (gas, no diesel), ice, bait and tackle, firewood, snack foods and souvenirs. The concession is open seasonally, call in advance for current hours of operation.
- The Marina Services Building can be rented for parties and meetings. It features a kitchenette/prep area, a large room overlooking the Mattawoman Creek (77 person capacity), an outdoor deck, and restroom facilities.
FEATURES
Fishing -- One can fish from the shore or from several stationary piers located at Sweden Point Marina. Fish that could be caught include: large and smallmouth bass, catfish, white and yellow perch, carp and 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 and much more. Through a cooperative project between the Maryland Department of Environment, Maryland Environmental Service, and 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 and history was created. The playground entrance features art murals by Mattawoman Creek Art Center artists Bob Kenyon and Gene McCandless, and 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 and grills are available at the Sweden Point Concession area and 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 and historical points of interest. The entire trail system is approximately 2 miles in length with several marked exit points if the walk becomes too strenuous.
Historic Area -- Smallwood's Retreat House, a restored 18th century tidewater plantation and a 19th century tobacco barn are open Sundays, May through September, from 1 to 5 p.m. Tours can be arranged with a minimum of 2 weeks notice.
Birding -- Self-guided birding opportunities in Charles County.
Camping -- Fifteen family campsites with electric hook-ups are available under the canopy of a hardwood forest. Four camper cabins sleep four and two cabins sleep six and have heat and air conditioning. Cabins #17 and #18 overlook Mattawoman Creek. Cabins #16 and #19 are close to the creek, but do not have a water view. Cabins #20 and #21 are located as you first enter the campground area. A picnic table, lantern post and 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. See the Park's Camping Regulations.
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, and one 12 foot picnic table are provided with each site. (Available April-October) You can make reservations through the Reservation Service or by calling 1-888-432-2267.
Reservations -- Reservations can be made in advance for family campsites, camper cabins, pavilions, and the Marina Services Building meeting room by calling 1-888-432-CAMP (2267). Reservations are not required, but are recommended especially between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Click here for camping season beginning and ending dates, and camping and shelter service charges.
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, and there is a small tournament permit service charge to cover administrative costs. Tournaments can be booked a year in advance. For a current tournament listing, tournament rules, weigh station guidelines or to book a tournament please contact the park office at 301-743-7613.
Accessibility -- Smallwood State Park offers an accessible fishing pier, marina office, campground bathhouses, shelters, six camper cabins and day use comfort stations. For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
Important Information -- Day use service charges are $3 per person on weekends and holidays, April through October; $3/vehicle weekdays year round (honor system in effect when toll booth is not staffed). Out-of-state residents add $1 to all day use service charges. Smallwood State Park is open year-round April through October from 5 a.m. to sunset, and November through March 8 a.m. to sunset. Our winter office hours will extend from November 1, 2009 through March 28, 2010. During this time the office will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pets -- Smallwood State Park does not allow pets in its day-use areas. Four designated campsites in the camping area allow campers to bring their pets. Pets must remain on a leash at all times.
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 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: Purse State Park (fishing, hunting, fossil hunting); Chapel Point State Park (fishing, canoe and john-boat launch, unguarded swimming, hunting); Mattawoman NEA (canoeing, hiking, 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. A although picnic tables are not available, picnicking on the grounds with a blanket is popular. The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 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.DIRECTIONS: 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 3 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 3 miles on the right.
Smallwood State Park
2750 Sweden Point Road
Marbury MD 20658
(301) 743-7613
Call 1-888-432-CAMP(2267) for reservations
Click here to make reservations on-line for Smallwood State Park.
Volunteers...The Smallwood State Park Volunteers, Inc. in Partnership with the Departmentof Natural Resources, State Forest and Park Service help maintain and operate Smallwood State Park. The Smallwood State Park volunteers are an incorporated group that works with the staff of the Southern Maryland Recreational Complex (SMRC). For volunteer information contact: SMRC Volunteer Director at 301-743-7613 for more information.
Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.
Last Updated on October 27, 2009 Photographs by: Roberta F. Dorsch and Smallwood State Park Staff
