Cherry Hill, VA

Cherry Hill occupies a Potomac River peninsula northeast of Dumfries in Prince William County. It is a census-designated area rather than an incorporated town or a single planned community: Southbridge, River Oaks, Potomac Shores, and other neighborhoods have their own associations and facilities. Residential construction accelerated in the 1990s, when the 600-acre Southbridge development and the 1,122-home River Oaks development began. Growth continued into the next century, and the population rose from 16,000 in 2010 to 23,683 in the 2020 census. The CDP covers 7.8 square miles and reaches the Potomac shoreline at inlets including Powell's Creek. Leesylvania State Park provides the peninsula's largest public recreation site. Its five marked trails include a segment of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, while a 300-foot accessible fishing pier, two boat ramps, and a separate canoe and kayak launch provide several ways to use the river.

The shoreline is not a designated swimming area. A visitor center interprets local natural and human history, including the Lee family's connection to the land and the Civil War battery at Freestone Point. In 2026, rangers scheduled wetland and history hikes, monthly children's fishing clinics, trail-maintenance days, and two Junior Ranger camps. Prince William County also inventories Powell's Landing Park and C. Lacey Compton Neighborhood Park in this part of the county. Public transportation reaches the residential and shopping area without relying on the not-yet-open Potomac Shores rail station. Under its timetable effective July 26, 2026, OmniRide's Route 53 serves Southbridge Plaza on weekday and weekend trips linking the Dumfries area with Potomac Mills, Stonebridge, the Ferlazzo Building, and the Route 234 commuter lot. Virginia Railway Express still lists Potomac Shores Station in final design.