(703) 339-2385
7301 High Point Rd.Lorton, VA 22079
Latitude: 38.654365
Longitude: -77.184114
Mason Neck State Park is on a peninsula formed by Pohick Bay on the north, Belmont Bay on the south and the Potomac River on the east. The peninsula is an active heron rookery. The park also attracts several other migrating and non-migrating species of birds, including whistling swans and assorted species of duck. Bald eagles also inhabit the area. The park boasts several hundred acres of hardwood forests consisting of oaks, holly, hickory and other species of trees. In addition, several wetland areas are also found in Mason Neck.Land was purchased over the years from the The Nature Conservancy. The park connects with a National Wildlife Refuge that includes over 2,000 acres. The park opened to the public in 1985.
Outdoor Recreation Award for: Tours & Events
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Virginia State Parks Calendar
Bay View Trail
The Bay View Trail is a 1 mile, easy interpretive trail that is accessible from the picnic area and forms a loop, taking hikers over several boardwalks as they pass through marshes along Belmont Bay and into mature hardwood forest. The trail is an excellent resource for parents and educators with comprehensive interpretive signs along the way. The trail tells the story of the impact of clean watershed on the health of the entire Chesapeake Bay. The trail also features a bird blind and access to the Wilson Spring Trail.
Blaze Color: Red
- Length: 1.02
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalk, Steps
Beach Trail
The Beach Trail is a .3 mile, handicap accessible that runs from the Visitor Center to the campfire program overlook with views of the bay. A portion of the trail is paved making passage especially easy. At the end of the trail opposite the Visitor Center the pavement ends at a set of steps that descend to the beach.
Blaze Color: Green
- Length: 0.3
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Natural, Paved
Dogue Trail
The Dogue Trail gets its name from the Dogue Indians who inhabited this area. Native Americans first populated the region about 12,500 to 13,000 years before first contact. Some of the earliest recorded history of the area was by Captain John Smith in 1608, he wrote of his meeting with the Dogue Indians and charted the chief’s village of Tauxenent on his map of Virginia. At the time, the area now known as Mason Neck, was referred to as Doggs Island and Doeg Neck. The Dogue Indians were agricultural people as well as hunter-gatherers. They lived in villages, towns and farms along the banks of the rivers around the peninsula. This short, easy trail loops through a quiet and peaceful wooded area of the park set back from the shoreline.
Blaze Color: Orange
- Length: 0.9
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Gravel
Eagle Spur Trail
The Eagle Spur Trail is a 1.29 mile easy hiking trail that consists of earth and gravel. It runs from the Kane’s Creek Trail, through the woods and ends at a bird blind overlooking Kane’s creek.
Blaze Color: White
- Length: 1.29
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Gravel
High Point Multi-Use Trail
The High Point Trail is three miles long and is located along High Point Road, traversing Gunston Hall, Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge and Mason Neck State Park. The trail allows visitors using the Gunston Road Trail to easily connect to the National Wildlife Refuge and Mason Neck State Park
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- Length: 3
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Natural
Kane’s Creek Trail
The Kane’s Creek Trail is a 1.20 mile, easy trail that is accessible from the Visitor Center, Eagle Spur Trail, and the Wilson Spring Trail. The trail passes through hardwood forest as it makes a loop, bringing hikers to a bird blind and offering unlimited opportunities for bird-watching.
Blaze Color: blue
- Length: 1.2
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Wilson Spring Trail
The Wilson Spring Trail is a .79 mile easy connecting trail that passes through the woods as it connects Kane’s Creek Trail to the Bay View Trail. The trail makes it especially easy for wildlife enthusiasts to access the park’s two primary wildlife viewing trails.
Blaze Color: Yellow
- Length: 0.79
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Amphitheater
A small simple amphitheater and a flat wooden stage are located to the left of the building and are used mainly for park programming.
- Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park
- Fee: Park Fees
- Location:38° 38.6350 -77° 11.9233
Car Top Boat Access
Mason Neck State Park offers car top boat access. The launch area is located between the visitor center and the picnic area. Visitors may bring their own canoes and kayaks into the park to explore Belmont Bay and the Potomac or may rent one of the parks canoes or kayaks. Boaters are reminded to wear life jackets, and practice all safe bo