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Home > Blog > Let's go on an Adventure: Mason Neck State Park

Let's go on an Adventure: Mason Neck State Park

By Peter Radlowski, Sarah Sumoski and Mr. RigbyPosted December 06, 2016

There are two Virginia State Parks located just outside of Washington D.C.; Leesylvania and Mason Neck State Parks. We were already on our way to D.C. for Labor Day weekend, so we decided to take advantage our travel time and pit stop at state parks on the way up and the way back.

The boardwalk portion of the Bayview Trail provides an exciting walk over the freshwater marsh at Mason Neck State Park

September 5 Mason Neck State Park

On our return trip from D.C. we stopped at Mason Neck State Park, a perfect place to stretch our legs before continuing our journey home. We lucked out by having a beautiful sunny day at this 1,825 acre park. Mason Neck State Park is part of a system including 4 other local protected lands, totaling an impressive 6,400 acres dedicated to recreation and wildlife preservation less than an hour outside our Nation’s capital.

Located on a peninsula along Belmont Bay, this park offers just under 10 miles of trails, a canoe/kayak launch, and plenty of green space to enjoy your time by the water.

We decided to hike a loop throughout the park, starting and ending near the visitor’s center and exploring sections of three different trails: the 1.19 mi Kane’s Creek Trail, 0.48 mi Wilson Spring Trail, and 1.02 mi Bayview Trail.

The thick canopy above the Kane's Creek Trail provides a welcome shade for a hike and picturesque backdrop

The Hike

We began our trek on the Kane’s Creek trail. This easy hike begins near the Visitor’s Center and cuts through some gorgeous hardwood forest on hard-packed dirt trail. It’s primarily flat, comprised of a dense forest canopy, and was beautiful and peaceful in its surroundings. It connects both to the moderate 1.29 mi Eagle Spur Trail and the Wilson Spring Trail, which we chose to pick up.

The Wilson Spring Trail was similar in feeling to the Kane’s Creek Trail, but still a welcome break from the hot sun on a joyful woodland hike.

It ended at a mid-point of the Bayview Trail, which we happily turned left onto.

This trail was vastly different, weaving along on mostly dense sand trails, a dense understory, and stunning views of the surrounding marshland and Belmont Bay.

Visitors enjoy the shady, seated overlook of the marsh on the Bayview Trail

We took a break at the overlook on a sheltered bench and made friends with a couple hiking through in the opposite direction. While heading back towards the visitors center the trail turns to boardwalk and takes you directly over a breathtaking freshwater marsh complete with its fair share of healthy flora and fauna.

We highly recommend stealing away to hike this elevated boardwalk, so if you don’t have the desire or means to put in a hike, pick up the Bayview trail near the playground and picnic shelters and stick to the right for quick and easy access.

Visitors relax and enjoy the scenery of Belmont Bay in a peaceful grassy area

We were singing this park’s praises at how incredibly lush with diversity this park is so close to the epicenter of our country, and most enjoyably we picked up 4-self guided tour trail maps to learn more about the park while we explored.

On our way out we stopped at one last trailhead and hiked the 0.25 mile Marsh View Trail above the headwaters of Kane's Creek. We counted no less than 20 red wing blackbirds enjoying the grasses in the marsh below, a relaxing reminder of the beautiful landscapes we’ve found in Virginia State Parks.

If you would like to go on your own adventure to Mason Neck State Park and would like more information about this park, click here.

Guest Bloggers Peter Radlowski and Sarah Sumoski plan to tackle all 37 Virginia State Parks in 2016 and they invite you to come along on the adventure with them.

PARKS

Mason Neck State Park