George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck
of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of land where seven generations of the
Washington family lived and where George Washington was born in 1732. The park
was also central to one of the earliest efforts to memorialize George
Washington during the celebration of his bicentennial birth anniversary in
1932.

George Washington Birthplace National Monument is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It encompasses 551 acres of land where seven generations of the Washington family lived and where George Washington was born in 1732. The park was also central to one of the earliest efforts to memorialize George Washington during the celebration of his bicentennial birth anniversary in 1932.

## 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.

<h2>Overview</h2>
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.<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>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.  </p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
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.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
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.
<h2>Contact Info</h2>
For facility specific information, please call (804) 761-5160.

Picnic Pavilion

Picnic PAvilion

George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion

The Memorial House Museum and Colonial Revival Kitchen in Summer

Memorial House Museum and Kitchen in Summer

Historic Area landscape of the Memorial House and Colonial Kitchen

Memorial House Museum and Colonial Kitchen

View of Popes Creek

Overlook of Popes Creek

The Memorial House is framed by beautiful crepe mrytles

Memorial House

This monument was placed in 1896, just 11 years after the Washington Monument in Washington, DC was placed and stands 55 feet tall, 1/10th the size of the original

Monument

This is the scene that our visitors see from our Visitor Center

Popes Creek

Our special events draw thousands to the park every year, like this Revolutionary War Encampment

Special Events

Four generations of Washingtons are buried here.

Cemetery

George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Spring

George Washington Birthplace National Monument during the winter season.

George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Winter

Popes Creek Bridge leading to the Nature Trail

Popes Creek Bridge

Memorial House Museum

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Bird's eye view of the campground

Cabins

Campground A

Campground B

Campground C

Day Use

Bird's eye view of the park

Westmoreland State Park

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 to
conserve and protect fish and wildlife resources, including endangered and
threatened species and wetlands. Refuge habitats include freshwater tidal
marsh, forested swamp, upland deciduous forest, mixed pine forest, and managed
grasslands.

The refuge is composed of multiple pieces of land and water spanning Essex,
King George, Caroline, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties. Our goal is to
protect 20,000 acres of important wildlife habitats along the Rappahannock
River and its major tributaries. Our partners and volunteers help us manage
the refuge’s lands and waters for wildlife and visitors. As the refuge
continues to grow and change over time, so will the opportunities for you to
enjoy the refuge!

In 2007, areas of the refuge were designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
The National Audubon Society designates these areas based on criteria such as
population, high concentration in a limited area, or other factors. The IBA
designation coincides with areas of high bald eagle concentration.

<p>Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 to conserve and protect fish and wildlife resources, including endangered and threatened species and wetlands. Refuge habitats include freshwater tidal marsh, forested swamp, upland deciduous forest, mixed pine forest, and managed grasslands. </p><p>The refuge is composed of multiple pieces of land and water spanning Essex, King George, Caroline, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties. Our goal is to protect 20,000 acres of important wildlife habitats along the Rappahannock River and its major tributaries. Our partners and volunteers help us manage the refuge’s lands and waters for wildlife and visitors. As the refuge continues to grow and change over time, so will the opportunities for you to enjoy the refuge!</p><p>In 2007, areas of the refuge were designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The National Audubon Society designates these areas based on criteria such as population, high concentration in a limited area, or other factors. The IBA designation coincides with areas of high bald eagle concentration.</p>

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Directions

Reviews

Campgrounds

George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion

Nearby Parks

Westmoreland State Park

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Caledon State Park