On a peninsula where Aquia Creek and the Potomac River meet, Widewater provides access to both bodies of water. The park lies on non-contiguous parcels interspersed by private property. Two parcels are open for access. The park has a visitor center, picnic shelters, playgrounds, restrooms, canoe-kayak launches and hiking trails. The park highlights the areas natural, historic and recreational resources.

The state acquired this land from Dominion Resources in 2006. Dominion originally planned on using the site for an electrical generation facility. A master plan for the park was written in 2008. An advisory committee comprised of Stafford County residents, adjacent landowners, government officials, user groups and local businesses crafted the plan with the guidance of the public. The committee defined goals, objectives and a park purpose statement for the park.

The purpose of Widewater State Park is to provide premier water and land-based educational outdoor recreational opportunities while protecting and interpreting the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of the peninsula of land cradled between Aquia Creek and the Potomac River in Stafford County.

The visitor center has displays of the parks natural and historical features. The park has exhibits about John Smith and the Indians of the Chesapeake region, the glory days of fishing on the Potomac, Langleys early experiments with aircraft launched from boats, local artist Palmer Hayden, and the Ghost Fleet of Widewater and Mallows Bay. Additionally, the parks diverse habitats, marshes, forest types and waterfront allow for much environmental education and nature study.