GENERAL INFO: 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 tundra 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 Nature Conservancy. The park connects with a National Wildlife Refuge, which is more than 2,000 acres. The park opened to the public in 1985.
AT-A-GLANCE: The pictographs directly below show park offerings. Click on those of interest or read below for more detail. Mouse-over the image for a short text description or click here to view a legend in which each pictograph's meaning is expressed.
LOCATION: The park is
in southern Fairfax County, about 20 miles from Washington, D.C. Access to
the park is via U.S. 1, then five miles east on Route 242 (Gunston Road) to
the park entrance.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia, half an hour (park is in Northern Virginia); Washington, D.C., 45 minutes; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, three hours; Richmond, one and a half hours; Roanoke, four hours.
Click here for a Google map.
PARK MAP: Click here (PDF).
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: None - day-use park. For information on availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
CABINS / CAMPING: Although Mason Neck has no overnight facilities, you can learn about other parks' rental rates for cabins and camping. Rental rates for cabins and camping vary by season, offering and park. Rates are subject to verification by DCR's state parks reservations staff (1-800-933-PARK). First determine the season, which varies by park, then the rate. Click here for park fees.
TRAILS: Hiking, biking and self-guided trails. Four miles of unpaved hiking trails and three miles of paved multi-use trails wind through the park providing a glimpse of nature by the bay. Elevated walkways allow visitors to explore some of the marsh areas in the park. Ten bicycles are available for rent by the hour.
FISHING, BOATING: Fresh and brackish water fishing are available. Must have valid Virginia or Maryland fishing license. Cartop boat launch facilities available; no facilities for trailer launching. From April through October, rent a kayak or canoe for an hour or all day to explore Belmont Bay or Kane's Creek - a great way to see eagles.
HUNTING: Click here to learn about this park's hunting opportunities.
PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: The park's environmental education center (see below) has a gift shop with park-oriented merchandise and souvenirs. Staff there also can provide information.
NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Pond study, birdwatching, canoe trips, active volunteer program, night hikes, teacher workshops, hands-on experiential educational opportunities, evening programs, Your Backyard Classrooms programs
Junior Rangers: Junior Rangers is a day-long program for children 7 to 10. It offers hands-on environmental education that covers stewardship and strong conservation, recreation and protection ethics. Several sessions with varying themes are held each summer. Contact the park for dates and fees.
Wee Rangers: Wee Rangers is a two-hour program for children 4 to 6 with accompanying adults. It’s a fun, hands-on introduction to the natural world. Several sessions with varying themes are offered each summer. Contact the park for dates and fees.
Elizabeth Hartwell Environmental Educational Education Day, late April. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: The Elizabeth Hartwell Environmental Education Center has rotating interpretive displays and exhibits on local wildlife and the area’s history. This center provides an opportunity for teachers to conduct environmental studies in natural settings. The facility has research material, microscopes and a variety of sampling equipment. Mason Neck State Park also participates in the Virginia State Parks: Your Backyard Classrooms program, a 40-activity curriculum guide for K-12 teachers. Calling the park at (703) 339-2385 for more detail.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Gunston Hall, Mount Vernon, Pohick Bay Regional Park, Woodlawn Plantation
PICNIC SHELTERS: One shelter is available for rent through the Reservations Center at 1-800-933-7275 (PARK). Parking fees are not included in shelter rental. Click here for park fees. The shelter can be rented from 8 a.m. to dark (all day). Customers must leave the park at sunset. This shelter is available with a tent cover May through October by reservation only. Other months of the year, it's an open-air, first-come, first-served picnic area with tables and grills.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a nominal cancellation fee.
Amenities: Visitors should contact the park to pre-pay parking fees for their group as a whole. The use of a caterer requires a special use permit, which can take up to 30 days to receive. The park is open daily 8 a.m. to sunset; there's no swimming at this park.
Shelter 1 Tent Shelter. The shelter is a 40 x 20 foot framed tent; there are no holes in the center, and sides are open. The floor is gravel. The tent's roof is vinyl. There are 10 picnic tables and two pedestal charcoal grills. It seats 50 people at one time; a group of more than 50 but fewer than 100 people can use the site (although shelter rental does not guarantee sole usage of the area open to the general public). Guests will need to bring lawn chairs. Erecting additional tents is not permitted. Additional tables and grills, likewise, is discouraged. Parking space is adequate, but it may be necessary on busy weekends to offload supplies and park elsewhere in the park, still within walking distance. The shelter is near a general picnicking area that the general public uses. Restrooms are about 60 feet away. There are no electric outlets or water hydrants.
HISTORY: In 1965, the Mason Neck Conservation Committee was formed after two bald eagle nests were spotted at Mason Neck. The committee, concerned about impending development on the peninsula, recommended part of the area to be used as a site for a state park. In August 1967 the commonwealth began purchasing land parcels from The Nature Conservancy with the assistance of matching federal grants.
A series of events threatened the sanctity of Mason Neck in the late 1960s and early 1970s. After plans for a proposed beltway through the area were dropped in 1967, an airport, a natural gas pipeline, a landfill and a sewer line were proposed for the area. These proposals met strong opposition from groups such as the Mason Neck Conservation Committee. Plans for the projects were dropped because of the potential negative impact each had on the federally operated Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge and Mason Neck State Park. Mason Neck State Park opened to the public in April 1985.
