Hey yawl, meet my new friend Junie B Bones, yeah cool name or what? I happen to think so. One reason I think Juno is so cool is that this dawg is quiet like me, but loves to explore Virginia State Barks as much as I do.

Juno digs Mason Neck State Bark in Northern Virginia

Hello! My name is Juno, and I wanted to show you how much fun I had on my recent visit to Mason Neck State Bark. My first trip here was with my Mom over Independence Day weekend, which turned out to be overcast and surprisingly cool. This is a large bark, with grills, boat rentals, a playground for your human siblings, and miles of trails!

Whut wuz dat?

Along the boardwalk in the marshy area, we heard loud frog croaks that startled me! They sounded like tiny dogs barking. We also saw turtles, butterflies, red-winged blackbirds, herons, bumblebees, and lily pads.

Mason Neck State Bark is a fun place to play and fetch sticks in the river 

My favorite part is the long, sandy shoreline along Belmont Bay! The water is so clear, calm, and shallow that I loved splashing about. There were sticks to fetch and sand to roll in, fish to watch and logs to pose on. 

There is a lot to explore at this Virginia State Bark

Mason Neck State Bark seems quieter than some of the other state barks in the area, which I appreciate since sometimes other doggies make me nervous. Even during a holiday weekend, Mom and I were able to have a nice relaxing afternoon of hiking and fun. I can't wait to plan another day with more adventures!

More from Junie:

Have your Mum drive you to this fun Virginia State Bark, it is not too far from D.C., and this Northern Virginia Bark offers many funzy wunzy activities and programs for the whole family. You can go on hiking trails and if your paws are old and tired like mine there are 3 miles of paved multi-use trails (which is good for strollers).

And Juno is right-on, bring a pic-a-nic since there is a big ol' picnic area with a playground for the little two-leggeds. They have a car-top canoe launch if you dig paddlin' like I do, or if you don’t have a vessel then you can rent a canoe, or kayak and even a bicycle at this bark. And Dawgs being this is a large river you can fish here too!

KEEP YOUR TAILS ON THE TRAILS!

Be careful to keep your family on a leash at Mason Neck State Bark because there is lots of wildlife, like plenty of bald eagles. To see the eagles they offer guided canoe trips of Kane's Creek and Belmont Bay which are favorites with bark visitors (but we dawgs can’t go on these, but let your family know they can!) The Bark has wetlands, forest, open water, ponds and open fields to explore, but remember to: 

Learn more about Mason Neck State Bark here, and directions to the bark on Google maps here. 

FIND YOUR BARK

Calling all cool dawgs

Remember, paws were meant to get muddy!