Smallwood State Park

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. His house, called Smallwood's Retreat, has been restored and is open to visitors seasonally. 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.

History

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 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. During his term as the 4th Governor of Maryland, Maryland ratified the Federal Constitution. The plantation house reflects Smallwood's lifestyle as a gentleman planter. 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.

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.

Pet Policy

Pets are allowed in Smallwood State Park in the following areas:

• Pets are allowed in all day-use areas
• Pets are allowed in the campground
• Pets are not allowed in the cabins

PLEASE NOTE: Smallwood State Park launch area will be closed on Saturday, July 6, 2013 and Sunday, July 7, 2013 for the Smallwood Triathlon until 6 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: Smallwood State Park launch area will be closed on Saturday, October 12, 2013 and Sunday, October 13, 2013 for the Waterman’s Triathlon until 6 p.m.

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 has 50 slips and excellent access for fishing on the Potomac River.

The marina can accommodate boats up to 36 feet in length (one slip can accommodate 42 foot length) and includes a bathhouse, electric and non-potable water hook-ups. Dock-side fresh water fill station and pump-out station are available. Wet slip renters have 24 hours access to the facility. 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. The area around the marina is dredged to a depth of 6 feet.

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 provided for every slip. Seasonal (5 month) rates start at only $417. For more information, call 301-743-7613.

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. Golden Age Passes are not accepted for launching services.

Concessions - Sweden Point Marina features a small store which provides dock-side fuel (gas, no diesel), ice, bait and tackle, snack foods and souvenirs. The concession is open seasonally, call in advance for current hours of operation (301) 743-7336.

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.

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.
Historic weapons safety guidelines for interpretive demonstration purposes as authorized by the Maryland Park Service.

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. 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 25 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, and pavilions 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 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 and weekends year round (honor system in effect when toll booth is not staffed). Out-of-state residents add $2 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 7 a.m. to sunset. Headquarters Office hours of operation (November 1, 2012 - March 31, 2013) are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Pets -- Pets are allowed in all day use areas and in the campground. Pets must remain on a leash at all times.

Self-Guided Recreation

• Camping in Charles County
• Cycling in the footsteps of John Wilkes Booth
• Fishing

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, hunting); Mattawoman NEA (canoeing, hiking, and fishing); Chapman State Park (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.

NOTE: PIPE REPAIR PROJECT PROPOSED ON MD 224 ADJACENT TO SMALLWOOD STATE PARK
(Click here to see announcement from SHA).