Explore Bazil Newman Riverfront Park
The Bazil Newman Riverfront Park offers a place to explore Loudoun County’s scenic riverfront landscape, trails and local history. Located in Lansdowne, the county park is more than 100 acres of natural parkland with access to the Potomac River and Goose Creek. Wooded trails, fishing, picnic areas, and historic canal features give visitors several ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Whether you’re planning a walk or bringing a canoe or kayak, choosing the right entrance is a helpful first step.
Heron Way and Riverpoint Drive
The park’s main entrance is at 44105 Heron Way, Lansdowne, VA 20176. From here a shared path through the golf course leads to the park and Potomac riverfront. A separate access point, Riverpoint Drive Trailhead, is located at 43942 Riverpoint Drive, Leesburg, VA 20176 and connects to the Goose Creek side of the park.
Riverpoint Drive Trailhead is part of Bazil Newman Riverfront Park, but it has its own vehicle entrance from Riverpoint Drive in the Lansdowne community. Visitors looking for the canoe and kayak launch would probably want to use the Riverpoint Drive address rather than the Heron Way address.
This can be easy to miss when planning a first visit. Both locations belong to the same park, but they provide different starting points.
Canoe and Kayak Access
Riverpoint Drive Trailhead provides the park’s designated canoe and kayak access. This portion of the park has its own entrance and parking area, making it the starting point to use when planning a paddling visit.
Walking and Exploring
Nature trails and a section of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail run through the park. Walking here combines wooded surroundings with the opportunity to explore a landscape shaped by the river and its history.
The park is a good option for visitors who enjoy spending time outdoors, exploring local trails, or taking photographs of the riverfront and wildlife. Before setting out, its useful to check a trail map to choose your route. Digital trail maps are available through Loudoun County’s park information page.
Historic Canal Features
The park contains the historic Elizabeth Mills canal lock system and interpretive signs. These features add a historical dimension to a visit, offering a reason to pause and explore beyond the scenery.
The remaining canal features provide a connection to the area’s past and the role its waterways played in transportation and commerce.
Who Was Bazil Newman?
The park honors Bazil Newman, a free Black entrepreneur who operated a ferry and warehouse service near the meeting of Goose Creek and the Potomac River during the early to mid-1800s. He was one of the area’s few free Black entrepreneurs at the time and became a successful, well-regarded businessman.
In February 2022, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors renamed Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park in his honor. Kephart Bridge Landing was renamed Riverpoint Drive Trailhead at the same time.
Plan Your Visit
Bazil Newman Riverfront Park is open from dawn to dusk. The parking is free although it is a small lot and can fill up quickly on the weekends. Picnic areas, and restrooms among its amenities. Dogs are generally permitted on a leash, subject to county park restrictions.
