Another Reason to Love Virginia

Waterfront views, sand beaches, and outdoor leisure are a few of the attractions in Mathews County.

by

Words by Steve Fennell

Approximately an hour east of the I-95 from Richmond or two hours southeast of  Fredericksburg, Mathews County and the county seat of the same name serve as a special destination for RVers. With a variety of rural communities, it’s home to comfortable RV parks, sand beaches, beautiful waterways, and interesting local culture. 

Discovering the area begins at the two popular RV parks. Sun Retreats Gwynn’s Island is on the county’s northeast side on the shores of Gwynn’s Island. With landscaped grounds, all sites have water and power while oceanfront and wooded locations are available for seasonal RV reservations. Amenities like the covered pavilion, a recreation centre, golf cart rentals, and beachfront/bay access are just a few of the added niceties. 

Access to Gwynn’s Island is via a swing bridge and is located where the Piankatank and Rappahannock rivers empty into the Chesapeake Bay. Services are limited on the island, but you can learn about the area’s past at Gwynn’s Island Museum while The Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill is a favoured dining option. If more services are needed, the communities of Hudgins and Mathews are nearby. 

Another option to stay in the area is Sun Retreats New Point, which is on Chesapeake Bay in New Point at the south end of the county. It shares many of the same services as its sister location on Gwynn’s Island, and boating, fishing and other watersports are common here. 

The resort has large, full-service RV sites, which are also available for seasonal RV reservations, and some of the appealing amenities are the marina with boat slips, a boat launch, rentals, and a camp/bait store; the in-ground swimming pool and beach access will provide more opportunities to relax. Both all-ages resorts are pet-friendly and for more information visit www.sunoutdoors.com

While the two resorts only offer seasonal or annual stays, other camping options are within an hour's drive of Mathews County to plan day trips in this part of the county. 

Enjoy Your Outdoor Game

If you’re into fishing, bring all of your gear as Mathews County is known for its excellent chances of success whether you prefer casting from shore or heading out to the open bay. If you’re serious about kayaking, inquire about the Mathews Blueways Water Trail at the recently renovated Mathews County Visitor Center. Staff will provide all the details to lead you in the right direction. 

For all of the insight needed, the Mathews Blueways Water Trail Guide lists all of the launch sites around the county, popular routes, common conditions, and the importance of knowing tide tables. It also includes natural attractions like beaches and birdwatching locations. 

If you just feel like lounging, Mathews County has a variety of sandy oases to stroll, swim, and spend the day under a beach umbrella watching the surf roll in. Some options include:

  • Haven Beach

This expansive stretch of sand is dog-friendly with designated swimming areas and restrooms. It’s also protected by large rock pilings.

  • Bethel Beach Natural Area Preserve 

This is another option. It has 34 ha (83 ac) of sand beach with low dunes and salt marshes where rare plants and several nesting birds thrive. Although it has limited services, it can provide great day trips to enjoy the shores of the bay.  

Mathews Unique Dining and Shopping

A closer look into Mathews and the rural communities reveals much about the region. For example, Joy’s Garden Studio by the Pond on Main St. in Mathews showcases the artist’s canvas creations of water scenes, village views and select cottage gardens found throughout the area. 

There’s also Queens Creek Studios in Cobb, VA, that sells handcrafted gemstones and sterling silver designer jewelry. There’s also The Poddery in nearby Foster, VA, which holds kiln firings that produce locally inspired stoneware, pottery, and outdoor sculptures.

However, in downtown Mathews alone you can browse home decor/furnishings stores, antique shops, and more crafts and artwork galleries in addition to savouring one of the many dining options. Pharmacies and hardware supply stores are also available. 

But it’s the dining that can truly inspire a visit to downtown Mathews, especially if you appreciate seafood. Virginia is known as the oyster capital of the East Coast and the Middle Peninsula is just one of eight regions in the state that harvest excellent oysters. Blue crab, clams, sea scallops, striped bass, flounder, and catfish are also common servings. 

As a result, seafood restaurants are popular with an excellent choice of BBQ, cafés, and casual dining. Many of the local flavours can also be purchased at the local markets and grocery stores. 

Mathews is the second-smallest county in Virginia but it’s an area with one of the largest amounts of shoreline. This allows a great RV trip in the Chesapeake Bay area during the peak RV season and when your travels lead you near this part of Virginia. 

For more information visit www.visitmathews.com