About This Park
Fairfax Stone State Park is comprised of four acres and named after the Fairfax Stone, a surveyor’s marker and boundary stone used in the 1700s to settle a dispute over land in the English colonies of Maryland and Virginia. One of the oldest markers in the United States, the stone rests at the junction of Tucker, Grant and Preston counties and marks the boundary between Maryland and West Virginia.
Fairfax Stone is located just 20 minutes away from Blackwater Falls State Park. Just continue north on Route 219, or Seneca Trail, and make a slight right turn onto Kenston Road. Make a right onto Fairfax Stone Road and continue for about two miles. Fairfax Stone is near the loop at the end of Fairfax Stone Road.
Note: Fairfax Stone Road is narrow but paved for an easy drive.
Contact
- Phone: 304-259-5216
- Email: blackwaterfallssp@wv.gov
- Address: 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260
History
The Fairfax Stone marks the western boundary of land granted to Lord Fairfax by the King of England in the 1700s. Two centuries later, the stone was used to determine the boundary between West Virginia and Maryland. Over the years, the stone has been changed out for various reasons. The current Fairfax Stone, the fifth, was dedicated as a state historic monument and became part of the West Virginia State Park system in 1957 when the Western Maryland Railroad gave four acres of land surrounding the stone to the state. In 1970, the stone was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Additional Information
Come straddle the border between Maryland and West Virginia! A six-ton rock with a historical plaque detailing the Fairfax Stone’s significance is this small park’s main attraction.
Nearby Attractions
Blackwater Falls State Park
Named for the 5-story-high waterfall that plunges through the Blackwater River Gorge, the park features several waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Accommodations include a lodge with restaurant, cabins and camping facilities. The park also has a sled run and cross-country ski trails.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
Set in the highest valley east of the Mississippi, Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center offers several amenities including a full-service lodge, golf course and ski area. Additional accommodations include cabins and camping facilities.
Cathedral State Park
Cathedral’s 133 acres preserves the largest virgin timber tract remaining in West Virginia. The day-use park has a picnic area with restrooms and 6 miles of hiking trails.
Cheat River
A 78-mile-long tributary of the Monongahela River, the Cheat River is a popular destination for boating and fishing enthusiasts. The Cheat Canyon section of the river offers Class V whitewater in the spring, while calmer sections can be floated in a kayak or canoe. Several outfitters in the area provide guided trips, shuttle service and boat rentals.