Across Virginia

Mason Neck State Park

Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation

The wetlands, ponds, and open fields of Mason Neck State Park make it an ideal location for observing and studying wildlife.

The park offers hiking, picnicking, bird watching, and canoe trips.

Location

Mason Neck, located in Northern Virginia, is just a 40 minute drive from the nation’s capital. The park provides an escape into nature for residents of the Washington D.C. suburbs.

Mason Neck State Park is a four-hour drive from Roanoke and a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Richmond.

Amenities

The park offers over five miles of unpaved trails for hiking, biking and running. The park has three miles of unpaved trails for hiking.

The paved trails vary in elevation, giving visitors the opportunity to see the park’s marshland from a bird’s eye view.

Bicycles can be rented at the park.

Fishing is permitted at Mason Neck State Park with a valid Virginia fishing license. A boat launch is available for cartop boats.

Between April and October, canoes and kayaks can be rented from the park, to explore Belmont Bay or Kane’s creek. Both of these areas offer opportunities to see eagles.

The park has one picnic shelter available for rent. The shelter has a vynil tent cover and is available between the months of May and October.

The shelter can seat up to 50 people and is equipped with eight picnic tables and two charcoal grills. Restrooms are available in the nearby general picnicking area.

The picnic shelter can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk.

Mason Neck State Park has no designated swimming areas.

The visitor center has a newly renovated section called Explorer’s Hall. This area accommodates up to 30 people for meetings and can be reserved by calling the park’s office.

The visitor center has several nature exhibits on display, as well as a gift shop where souvenirs and snacks can be purchased.

Nature Programs

Mason Neck State Park offers pond study and bird watching programs, as well as guided nature walks and educational talks.

The park also offers guided canoe and kayak tours, eagle watches, and guided educational hikes.

The Eagle Festival is held in late April.

Junior Rangers is an educational program for children ages 7-10, offering a hands on experience with nature. The program teaches conservation and stewardship.

Wee Rangers is a program for children aged 4-6. This program is fun and interactive, providing young children with a glimpse into the natural world.

Overnight Accommodations

Mason Neck State Park offers no overnight accommodations.

History

Mason Neck State Park officially opened to the public in 1985.

The Mason Neck Conservation Committee was formed in 1965, after two bald eagle nests were spotted.

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