Chapman State Park

Our family photographer chose this spot to take outdoor Christmas photos and it was picturesque and natural. Be advised it is an extremely long walk to the historic plantation house and view of the water. (Not really accessible for elderly.) Also ....parents....lots of places to easily lose sight of quick little ones as you can be on one side of house as they go to other and under the porch or down the hill or into the woods. Wear running shoes and it could be great family fun though. Amazing and quiet.... almost hallowed spot to enjoy nature and contemplate lives of slaves in historic southern Maryland. Beautiful gravel tree lined lane made perfect backdrop for beautiful portraits. We cannot wait to visit in every season!

A hidden gem in Charles County. Sadly, The house was not open for touring. Sad, too, that there has been no upkeep on the outbuildings. The grounds are lovely and the view of the Potomac was outstanding! It should be beautiful with blooms in a few more weeks. Will return then.

This a hidden gem! Very cool state park with a lot to offer and explore. There is a beach area for fishing and wading, it’s about a mile walk down a hill to get there. There are historical buildings to explore as well. There is are trails for hiking, but the wooded area is sometimes used for hunting so be careful. Great place for dogs! There is a small parking lot, but it doesn’t seem to be too frequented.

Beautiful views of the Potomac and Virginia from up by the house. Easy walk for families. Wonder if there's a trail map link.

Chapman State Park is a state park 30 minutes south of Southeast DC along the Potomac River. Here's why it's worth the drive:nn1) Family-friendly: If you have small children, it's perfect. There are two trails and none are longer than 1.5 miles long. It's easier for children. There's also a wildlife preserve where you may find turtles, lizards, bald eagles, and other animals. The trails lead to the river with small sandy beaches for children to hunt for seashells.nn2) History: The property belonged to the Chapman family since 1751. The family has ties to several Founding Fathers. There's a historic mansion on the property restored (tours are offered). There are several old buildings abandoned and worth exploring.nn3) Architecture: The mansion is beautiful and was used during the Civil War by the Federal government. The back porch offers stunning views of the Potomac River.nnThere's one thing to be warned- ticks! Bring repellent and stay on the marked trails. We went in May. Venturing off the trail for literally 15 seconds resulted in three ticks on my ankle. Ugh!