Fairfax Stone State Park

Wonderful piece of history. The fact that Lord Fairfax owed over 5,000,000 acers known as Northern Neck Proprietary and includes places like Berkeley Springs Spa is incredible. If you're visiting Blackwater Falls or Canaan Valley and enjoy history this is a nice, quick stop. The park is well maintained and has areas to lay a blanket down and enjoy a picnic or use one of the picnic tables. There are no facilities at this park. We were the only ones there when we visited and our 5 year old son and dogs enjoyed running around while we read about the history.

If history of the region interests you back to the 1740’s then stop here to learn how the English crown decided who would be in charge of lands north and south of the Potomac River

An interesting bit of history that I learned about a long time ago in school. The Fairfax Stone was great to see and it doubles as the head spring to the Potomac River. Plus a neat little area to have a picnic and walk the dog. Not too far off of the beaten path and a nice place to visit.

in deference to TK Cloonan, I am happy the state choose to preserve this site. It's not glamorous (unless you have passion for outdoor activity and the natural world) nor is it a particularly "adventure" trip (here again, unless you like to take your Jeep off road and all that sort of thing). But, as a fan of history (particularly colonial American history) I think this is a wonderful site to see. I live in Fairfax VA so it's doubly interesting to me. Lord Fairfax's name is all over property deeds around here, I worked for Fairfax County for a few years and the archeological opportunities around here are massive for the 1700's. So if your'e in the area it's worth a trip (IMO) to check this out.

Great little park. How cool is it to be able to be able to stand at the headwaters of the mighty Potomac river. Today it may have just looked like a trickle, but still mighty things often start small.

Love this... So glad this history was preserved...

Finally made it out there, beautiful place.

Awesome historical spot to visit with the kids when out in WV from Washington DC.

Connect the dots and see how much these worlds were once considered one place as the Virginia Colony.

Cool little spot to take a break on your way through and learn a little bit about the history of the area.

Enjoyed learning about the history of the area!

Nice smooth paved road

If you're at all interested in colonial history, or debates about state boundaries, or just enjoy places that are pretty out of the way; then this is worth a stop. The history here is something you'll have to read about; but the park is a nice little stop. It's not very big; but it's well cut and access to the current Fairfax Stone couldn't be easier.

It is however very out of the way on roads that are in pretty poor condition. If it wasn't for the two signs marking the way; one might think they were in an area they aren't supposed to be in....but a few miles off the main road it's nestled away in the woods.

But, seriously, take your time. The pavement is marked with potholes; at times it's easier to drive on the median to avoid them. The pavement also isn't wide enough for two cars, meaning someone will have to drive in the grass if you encounter someone. If you have a truck or an SUV, it's not an issue. If you're driving something low to the ground it could be a challenge.

But as remote as it is; it's still a small peaceful place to stop if you've ever wanted to see where the Potomac River starts, where three counties of West Virginia converge, and where the border of Maryland was thought to have been untill the Supreme Court intervened in 1910.

You'll also get some neat views of the windmills as you drive in.

We drove 3 miles to see the Fairfax Stone, not knowing what we'd find. The place delivered on the stone, a neat marker from pre-Revolutionary times, but also gave us - surprise! - the mouth of the Potomac River! Such a tiny trickle becomes a mighty river, it's an inspiring metaphor & much needed in these dark times. Go ahead & take the little 15 minute diversion down the road, it's worth it.

Serene, quiet place at the spring stone of The Potomac River.

I travel here from time to time to operate my amateur radio.

A piece of history that has been lost before and stone markers have been stolen there's a marker from 1910 and the marker with plaque is from 1957 it sits about 2 miles off the main road. It's just a small spring marking the head waters of the Potomac river surrounded by a small park. This spring is protected by a small 🐸 That lives in the small pool there. Almost stepped on him.

Like the modern property surveyors stake with fluorescent tape flapping in the breeze, the Fairfax Stone marks a boundary. This marker however is also a great stop for those that enjoy history, cartography, or Google Mapping. The boundary set here dates back to the origins the colonies from the first land grants and has gone on to establish state boundaries of Maryland and West Virginia. Worth a visit with room to picnic and enjoy the forest.

Small area and easy to access

Fun great place for a picnic

Beautiful place of history and nature. Makes you wonder what it was like to stand here hundreds of years ago.