Your Guide to Westmoreland State Park

Crisp air, colorful leaves, peaceful trails, and beautiful views of the Potomac River—fall is one of our favorite times to get outside in Virginia's Northern Neck.

And when you stay at The Inn at Montross, one of the region's best outdoor destinations is practically in our backyard.

Westmoreland State Park is only about 10 minutes from The Inn at Montross, making it an easy addition to a weekend getaway. Situated along the Potomac River, the park offers miles of trails, scenic overlooks, fossil hunting, fishing, birdwatching, picnicking, and plenty of opportunities to simply spend a few hours surrounded by nature.

Whether you're an avid hiker, traveling with the family, or just looking for somewhere beautiful to spend a fall afternoon, here's our guide to experiencing Westmoreland State Park during your next stay in Montross.

Discover One of the Northern Neck's Outdoor Treasures

Located along the Potomac River, Westmoreland State Park encompasses more than 1,300 acres of Virginia's Northern Neck. The park is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of Virginia's original six state parks.

Today, visitors will find a combination of forests, wetlands, beaches, cliffs, and riverfront scenery, making it possible to experience several different landscapes without leaving the park.

There are approximately six miles of trails to explore, along with a fishing pier, boat ramp, visitor center, Discovery Center, picnic areas, playground, and other recreational amenities.

For guests of the Inn, one of the best parts is how close all of this is to Montross. You can enjoy breakfast at the Inn, spend your morning or afternoon exploring the park, and be back in your room or relaxing in one of our common areas without spending much of your getaway in the car.

Take a Fall Hike

If cooler temperatures have you reaching for your hiking shoes, you're in luck.

Westmoreland State Park offers a variety of trails that take visitors through hardwood forests, wetlands, along the river, and toward some of the park's most popular destinations.

Fall makes those trails particularly inviting. The changing hardwood leaves bring seasonal color to the forest, while cooler temperatures can make a few hours of hiking much more comfortable than during the height of summer.

Depending on how much time you want to spend outside, you can choose a shorter walk or connect trails for a longer adventure.

Rock Spring Pond Trail is an easy 0.6-mile trail and a particularly peaceful choice for a fall walk. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation even highlights the changing hardwood trees along this route as a reason to experience the pond during autumn.

For a little more activity, Laurel Point Trail stretches approximately 1.4 miles, while Turkey Neck Trail offers another opportunity to experience the park's hardwood forests, wetlands, and wildlife.

There's also the Conservation Corps Fitness Trail, an easy trail that combines time outdoors with fitness stations along the route.

With several options ranging from easy to moderate, you don't have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the park. Pick a trail, take your time, and don't forget to look up—the fall scenery is part of the experience.

Hunt for Fossils at Fossil Beach

For many visitors, no trip to Westmoreland State Park is complete without searching for a little piece of the past.

Fossil Beach is one of the park's most distinctive attractions and is known as a place where visitors can search for ancient fossils, including fossilized shark teeth.

Getting there is part of the adventure.

The Big Meadow Trail leads from near the Visitor Center toward Fossil Beach. The approximately one-mile round-trip hike features a moderate grade and rooty terrain, so sturdy shoes are a good idea—especially during fall when wet leaves can make trails slippery.

Once you reach the shoreline, take your time looking along the water's edge. You never know what you might find.

The park occasionally offers guided Fossil Quest programs as well, where a ranger leads visitors to Fossil Beach and explains why fossils are found in the area. Program schedules change throughout the year, so check the park's current events calendar before your visit if you're interested in joining one.

Fossil hunting makes this an especially memorable stop for families, but you certainly don't have to be a kid to enjoy the thrill of spotting a shark tooth along the Potomac.

Take in the Views of the Potomac River

Even if hiking isn't at the top of your vacation itinerary, the scenery alone is worth the short trip from the Inn.

Westmoreland State Park sits along the Potomac River and is known for its dramatic Horsehead Cliffs, which rise high above the water.

The Visitor Center sits atop the cliffs and offers impressive views of the Potomac. Nearby Murphy Hall is another spot known for its river views.

Spend some time taking it all in.

On a clear fall day, the combination of blue water, changing leaves, and cooler air creates the kind of scenery that makes you want to put your phone away and stay a little longer.

Bring a camera, pack a pair of binoculars, or simply find a quiet spot to appreciate a different side of the Northern Neck.

Bring Your Binoculars for Birdwatching

You won't be the only one enjoying the Potomac.

Westmoreland State Park is an excellent destination for birdwatching, with a variety of birds found throughout its forests, wetlands, shoreline, and skies.

Keep an eye out for American bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, great blue herons, green herons, common terns, gulls, and seasonal waterfowl.

Fall can be an especially interesting time for nature lovers as the seasons begin to change.

You don't necessarily need to plan an entire birdwatching excursion, either. Simply keep your eyes open while walking the trails or spending time near the river. You may be surprised by what flies overhead.

Spend Some Time Fishing

Prefer spending a quiet afternoon by the water?

Fishing is available on the Potomac River throughout the year at Westmoreland State Park. The park offers both a fishing pier and shoreline fishing opportunities, and offshore breakwaters are another popular area for anglers.

A valid saltwater fishing license and registration requirements apply, so be sure to review Virginia's current fishing regulations before casting a line.

Fall fishing can be a wonderful way to enjoy a quieter side of the park. Pack what you need, find your spot, and settle in for a few hours along the river.

Even if the fish aren't biting, the view isn't a bad consolation prize.

Pack a Picnic and Make an Afternoon of It

Not every visit needs an ambitious itinerary.

Sometimes all you need is good food, a picnic table, and a beautiful fall afternoon.

Westmoreland State Park offers picnic areas and shelters, making it easy to build a relaxed afternoon around your visit. Pick up lunch before heading to the park or pack some snacks to enjoy between hikes.

Families can also take advantage of the park's playground, while the Visitor Center and Discovery Center provide opportunities to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the area.

The Discovery Center features wildlife and fossil exhibits along with interactive displays, making it a worthwhile stop if you're visiting with children—or if your Fossil Beach adventure has you wanting to learn more about what you found.

Hours and seasonal services can vary, so check with the park before your visit if there's a particular facility you'd like to see.

Make Westmoreland State Park Part of Your Fall Getaway

One of the best things about visiting the Northern Neck is that your day doesn't have to be complicated.

Wake up at The Inn at Montross and enjoy breakfast before heading out. Ten minutes later, you can be surrounded by hardwood forests and Potomac River views.

Spend the morning hiking.

Search for shark teeth at Fossil Beach.

Bring lunch and have a picnic.

Watch for a bald eagle flying overhead.

Or simply take a scenic walk and enjoy being outside on a crisp fall day.

Then, when you've had your fill of adventure, head back to Montross.

At the Inn, you can settle into one of our common spaces, relax on the porch, grab a cup of coffee, or retreat to your guest room for a little downtime before dinner.

It's exactly the kind of balance we love about a Northern Neck getaway: plenty to explore when you're ready for an adventure and a comfortable place to slow down when you're ready to relax.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

Westmoreland State Park is located at 145 Cliff Road in Montross, Virginia, just a short drive from The Inn at Montross.

The park is open year-round, but individual facilities, rentals, programs, and services may operate seasonally. Cell service is also limited within the park, although Wi-Fi is available at the camp store.

Before heading out, it's a good idea to check the park's official website for current hours, parking or admission fees, trail conditions, programs, and facility availability.

And remember: while there are beaches along the Potomac River, the park does not have designated swimming areas along its shoreline.

Fall weather can change quickly, so dress in layers, wear appropriate shoes if you plan to hike, bring water, and leave yourself plenty of time to explore.

Stay Close to the Adventure

You don't have to choose between an outdoor adventure and a relaxing getaway.

At The Inn at Montross, you can have both.

With Westmoreland State Park only about 10 minutes away, you can spend your day exploring trails, hunting for fossils, watching wildlife, fishing along the Potomac, and taking in the colors of fall—then return to the comfort and historic charm of the Inn.

And there's plenty more to discover throughout Montross and Virginia's Northern Neck if you decide to stay another day.

Whether you're planning a romantic weekend, a family adventure, or simply looking for somewhere different to experience fall in Virginia, we'd love to be your home base.

Ready to explore Westmoreland State Park this fall? Book your stay at The Inn at Montross and enjoy one of the Northern Neck's best outdoor destinations just minutes from your room.