fairfax stone historical monument park

There is really nothing there -- a few places to park, a picnic table, and the stone marker. Not even a view. You'd have to be a total fanatic for colonial American history to bother checking off a visit there.

While the drive down the gravel road isn't too bad, you really have to want to see the headwaters of the Potomac River to visit this. The mine roads nearby take away some of the natural beauty, but you are here for the history.

Since I live in Fairfax, Virginia and regularly see the Potomac River where it is a wide expanse for boating or a raging river over rapids, I couldn't resist going to the Fairfax Stone and the source of the river. Compared to all the beautiful mountains around this area, the site is not particularly scenic. However, just follow the signs down a long gravel road and it takes you right to the site. There is a worn, pyramid stone that marked the end of the land granted to Lord Fairfax, and a more recent memorial plaque. The river source is a mere trickle. For me, this was fun to be able to say I was there, and compare it to where I live, but if you have no connection to Fairfax history or the Potomac it probably would be disappointing.

Although this particular area packs a lot of history, I must admit upon my arrival (after driving approximately 3 miles on a narrow road) I was a bit disappointed that the area is not more "park like."

This park is quite simple. Really there is only and parking area and the markers. As a destination, it's probably skip-able unless you really like history or surveying. Directions along the main road are limited.

Just off the main road, this historic site takes you to the headwaters of the Potomac River. You can literally straddle the river here.

If you didnt know what ir was, you would jusr thibk you were looking at a normal rock. Like another reviewer said, I wouldn't go out of my way to see it, but if you are in the area, might as well stop in to say you saw the beginning of the potomac! The road can be pretty rough though, be prepared!

Hard to believe that is the beginning of the Potomac River. I have been to Mount Vernon and to stand and look at the Potomac River and it's massive size, then to see this small steam coming out of a rock.......it's worth the back road drive.

Teh start of the Potomac river and the only place where you can jump across it too! There is a small parking lot and rock. Not a whole lot, but way back it was an important landmark for surveyors.

Not the most accessible park in the state but for those interested in history it marks an important boundary and of course, the geographic significance of the headwaters of the Potomac is evident.We didn't see a soul on our side trip to the stone and that made the visit all the more fascinating.

I have been to the Fairfax Stone several times to show people. The stone is fairly near a highway and is a short trip over a slightly rough road. Once you arrive, you are in a small parking lot in the middle of a medium sized grassy area and bordered with trees. There isn't much to see since the Fiarfax stone is a small stone with markings on it. This is the source of one branch of the Potomac River though there is not a flowing stream. The entire place will take about 5 minutes to see. It is a mildly interesting place to make a stop if you are in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.