Beach & Boardwalk

Our Beaches

For such a small town, Colonial Beach has an impressive span of public beachfront for visitors to enjoy. The town sits along the Potomac River. On a clear day you can look east across the water and see the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. Two thirds of the town is surrounded by water, the Potomac to the East and Monroe Creek/Monroe Bay to the West.

This makes photographing sunrises and sunsets in Colonial Beach even more breathtaking.

There are two public beaches, one labeled North Beach which runs from Colonial Ave near the statues to half way between Weems Street and Lafayette Street on the Point. The North Beach runs parallel to the Frances Karn Boardwalk, past the Municipal Pier and parallel to Irving Ave.

Parking is available in two lots just past Riverboat on The Potomac. Beachfront parking starts just past the Municipal Pier and runs to the Memorial Cannon and Bathrooms. More beachfront parking continues along Irving Ave up to the small walking and seating area.

If you continue down the Point either by traveling Irving Ave along the Potomac River or by traveling along Monroe Bay Ave on the bay side you will reach the South Beach at, you guessed it, the south end of the Point just before the entrance to The Colonial Beach Yacht Club Marina and Dockside Restaurant and Tiki Bar.

The South Beach also sits along the Potomac and there is a volleyball net and plenty of parking in that area. Thanks to the Army Core of Engineers and some planning on the town’s part, this area of beach has become a very popular second public beach in the town.

Here at the South Beach you’ll also find the Anchor… The public Boat Ramp with parking for boat trailers and Castlewood Playground.

Beach Rules:

The goal of our signs, is not to restrict people from using our beaches, but to preserve the beach for sunbathing and swimming, during the summer months.

In order to do that, the town has imposed some rules that are designed to make the beaches more enjoyable for families. By restricting active alcohol consumption on the beach, parents can rest easy knowing their children’s exposure to intoxicated individuals will be minimized.

Colonial Beach has several great restaurants and bars for which adults can go to enjoy music, food and libations.

To keep our beaches clean and enjoyable for swimmers and sunbathers, we ask that dogs be kept off the beach during the summer season from April to September. During these months we ask that you leave your dogs at home in a cool safe environment or take them for walks along the river on Irving Ave or Monroe Bay Ave. or visit the dog park on Robin Grove Lane just off Monroe Bay Ave.

In order to reserve the beach during the day, for swimmers and sunbathers, we ask that fishermen refrain from casting their lines during the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

We’re proud of our boardwalk and beaches and even though we boast about having the second largest public beach in Virginia, it’s not big enough for vehicles or golf carts. Mobility scooters or wheelchairs are the only off road vehicles allowed on the boardwalk.

It’s hard to believe that in such a great town we still need to ask individuals not to litter but we also ask that you secure your trash. We do have some pesky birds that love to forage in the garbage and won’t pick up after themselves.

Enjoy your visit.

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