Discover Why This Virginia State Park Shines in Winter

Winter in Virginia can mean a lot of things. Sometimes, we get surprisingly mild weather, and other times, a hefty snowfall paired with freezing temperatures. But no matter the temperature reading, one thing remains constant: winter hiking in Virginia is always a good idea. Today, we're venturing out to one of our state's most underrated parks, Westmoreland State Park, to marvel at the dramatic cliffside, walk through the snowy woods, and perhaps even find a Megalodon tooth washed up on the beach.

Bordering a mile and a half of the Potomac River in Virginia's Northern Neck, Westmoreland State Park is infused with natural beauty. It's located just off Route 3, approximately six miles from Montross, Virginia. Its appeal during warmer days is obvious, but winter offers a rare opportunity to see the park in near solitude. The bare trees give way to more expansive views of the landscape and water, or, if you look closely enough, some beautiful birds. (Spotting a bright-red cardinal amidst a wintery landscape is one of my favorite parts of winter in Virginia!)

One of the best and most popular trails in the park will take you right to its most stunning attraction: Fossil Beach. For this, take the Big Meadow Trail, a 1.4-mile out-and-back trek that's considered easy and takes most visitors about half an hour to complete. From the Visitor's Center, you'll walk through the woods towards the river.

Suddenly, the expansive Potomac River appears, so wide that it could easily be mistaken for a lake. The water here is brackish, meaning it smells salty like the ocean, a wonderful reminder that the Chesapeake Bay is near. The dramatic cliffs are another unmistakable feature of the shore. Towering over the water, these cliffs take us back millions of years to a time when the park was actually an ancient seabed. This makes Fossil Beach an ideal place to find fossils. Those that you'll find here are from the Miocene Era, roughly 30 million years ago. Every so often, a megalodon tooth is found!

Whether you're enjoying the solitude of the woods or experiencing the vastness of the water and all of its ancient history, you'll agree there's something so magical about Westmoreland State Park—especially this time of year. However, it's important to note that Westmoreland State Park is undergoing renovations on all of their cabins, so camping here isn't possible until 2027. But the trails and beaches remain open for exploration! Plus, if you're looking for other things to do in the area during your visit, head over to our itinerary planner for ideas.