Started 2026 off with a 1st Day Hike, decided to go to Mason Neck. Free entrance (1st Day), friendly Ranger at check-in and he provided info, 1st Day Sticker. Very nice Visitor Center, staffed with more friendly & helpful Rangers/Staff. Informative displays, gift shop and clean restrooms. Plenty of trails with a nice view of the water, a boardwalk, and the woods. They were hosting a Winter-Fest which was nice, and full of great information, events especially for kids. read more

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This was a beautiful park with peaceful water views and easy walking trails. We went in August and everything was so green. We saw spots to kayak, so hoping to bring our stand up paddle board next time. read more

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The staff are all friendly. They keep the park clean. This park has Beautiful views. Great for bird watching and hikes. Eagle preservative read more

Mason Neck State Park - Beautiful, clean, and relaxing. The staff are all friendly - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia

Great trails, nice rangers. Easy trail was great and had beautiful scenery along water. Small beach, fun walk across marsh. read more

Mason Neck State Park - One of trails. About a mile. - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia

Lovely place to stop if you're looking for a break from the DC traffic! Trails are lovely and you get a view of the water as well. Dog was able to get on the water to beat the heat, and it wasn't too crowded, even for a weekend! read more

Hidden gem nestled away in the hustle and bustle of the 95 corridor! This park is tucked away in Mason Neck between the Potomac River and Belmont Bay. The entrance road is long, winding, and tree covered. Great place to spot the local wildlife (we saw a fox)! I took my two boys, 4 and 6, on the Bayview Trail and it was a great time! We spotted a lot of birds, squirrels, and even a few snakes. Take a moment to stop down by the Bay on one of the two "beaches". We finished up with some time at the nearby playground before making the long and winding drive back out of the park. Entrance fee is $10 (annual pass option available for $85 also and gets you access to all 41 state parks in VA). read more

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This is not a "Hikers" park. It's a park for people that want an extended nature walk with beautiful view. Lol The park is mostly wooded trails but the short (1 mile) bay view walk is beautiful in the winter. Haven't been in summer, but it is a nice little park. My only complaint is the $7. Cover they charge for getting in. Not a lot to maintain there for the price they are charging read more

Mason Neck State Park - Bay View "hike". More like a easy nature walk - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia

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Nice little state park next to a federal refuge! The trails are short, but I didn't have any trouble getting in a decent trail run workout by connecting Bay View trail down to the Meadow View and back again. Lots of places to share space with the smaller wildlife. On this last trip, I startled a fox, had a Carolina Wren chatter at me when I was too close to her nest, and heard plenty of busy bees and chatty frogs. Although there is usually one or more families at the picnic area, on a spring Friday, I had the trails to myself. read more

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My son and I visited during phase 1 of reopening. It was a Tuesday and not crowded at all. The entrance fee was $7; I believe it's more on weekends. The playground was closed at the time but some people were grilling and picnicking in the nearby pavilions. Surprisingly kayak rentals were available that day. We walked the bay view trail to the beach. We saw several lizards and a few herons. At the beach there were a few other people but it was easy to socially distance ourselves. My son loved this area! It felt more like a beach than some of the lakes we've visited during COVID. Restrooms were also available on this visit. The drive isn't too bad from Arlington (30 mins) so we will plan on visiting again this summer! read more

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Beautiful state park no matter what the season is. My family and I have enjoyed many, many trips to Mason Neck - hiking, playing on the playground, exploring, picnicking, walking along the shore, and attending all kinds of special events - the Eagle Festival, canoeing, tours, geocaching, etc. There are many beautiful spots to watch the sun set. read more

We had Fun family picnic and walked some trails, not many people here when we went but still very well maintained. read more

Mason Neck State Park - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia

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I'm trying to do the Virginia state parks trail quest (visiting all the state parks) and this is actually the closest one to Northern Virginia. There is a 10 dollar parking fee which I'm sure goes into maintaining the park. There were a few bikers along the road. At one of the main parking lots there are several (like 10-15 ) picnic tables, a playground structure and an easy 1 mile hike (Bay View Trail) that our 3 and 5 year old could do on their own. We saw a stroller which is ok but there is some stairs. Would be very hard to do with a wheelchair completely. You will go along the bay, over some bridges and through the marsh. There are a couple of parts along "beach" where you could go by the water but its not a long stretch. We all enjoyed the walk through nature. A short walk to the right you can also see the bay and walk I think to the visitors center. You could also kayak a long way down too. read more

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My dog and I like this park very much. There's a nice mixture of scenic water views, a small beach area to get the feel of being right at the river, wildlife (lots of birds) and lots of wooded trails. My only negative comment is the in some areas the trails are not well marked and in a couple of places trees have fallen across the trail and not removed. It was easy to walk around the fallen trees, but would be nice to have the path cleared. Also, this year the daily park entry fee has doubled and is now $10. The yearly rate is now $75 and gives you access to all Virginia State Parks. When I asked why the daily rate had doubled I was told it was due to budget issues. This might explain why the fallen trees haven't been removed. Not sure the daily $10 is worth it, unless you plan to stay all day, but I think the $75 yearly rate is a good deal. read more

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With the most anticipated Bayview Trail pretty much closed off for renovation, we still had loads of fun on our first time at Mason Neck. As with most state parks, the long and winding road leading to the park was one of the highlights, and breathing in the fresh air and smell of trees made almost 40 minutes of driving on the expressway worth it. Once you hit the gate there's a $5.00 admission fee, and we asked for a map and directions, which the staff in uniform seemed happy to provide. There are three parking lots, and we ended up parking in front of the visitor centre by Belmont Bay. To the immediate right of the visitor centre is Beach Trail, about 0.3 miles, and it's a moderate difficulty walk to and from. If you walk to the immediate left of the visitor centre, you'll pass a boat launch on your right and a marsh on your left, before coming upon a big open space where you'll find a restroom, a playground, more parking, and a picnic area. There are a few benches facing Belmont Bay, and it was nice to sit there and devour our chicken salad sandwich. Visitor Centre is cute. Display room to the right of reception is not huge but there are a few interactive displays, and a life size bald eagle nest to gawk at. The other side of the building has a giftshop and an exhibition room with fish tanks and other interesting displays. Play bingo and get a souvenir bookmark! read more

Mason Neck State Park - View of Belmont Bay from entrance to Bayview Trail - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia

We went kayaking on a Friday afternoon at 4 pm and pretty much had the whole lake to ourselves! There is an entrance fee of $5 for the state park, however you can pay $66 for the year. If you pay the entrance fee and then purchase for the yearly pass once inside the park, they will count the $5 that you paid towards the yearly pass. You rent the boats at the Visitors Center; one of the staff members, Lee, was very helpful and knowledgeable. There are 7 solo kayaks, 4 tandem kayaks, and 3 canoes available for rent. The fee for solo kayaks (sit-on-top) is $10 per hour and then they charge per 15 minute interval after that. Our time on the lake was very relaxing and peaceful. The lake is pretty shallow and looking down you can see the plants and ground. We were even lucky enough to see two juvenile eagles! Note: I highly recommend bringing water shoes and a waterproof phone pouch. read more

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Awesome place to see wildlife and get away from the city! When you're driving there, it will feel very, very far away. Mason Neck is on a peninsula that is so far out there that it doesn't even seem like Fairfax County anymore. It's about 7 miles from the main road out to the visitor parking area. There are tons of trails and places to explore. You definitely won't see it all; it's huge! I went in closest to the water, by the restrooms and visitor's center. Parking here was $5 on the weekend. You could park earlier for free, but it was about 2 miles from where I wanted to be. The bathrooms are clean enough, and there's also a vending machine and grills. No camping here--go to Pohick up the road if that's what you're after. We just did the little one mile loop of the Bay View trail with our dog. Much of it is up on a dock that goes over wetlands. We saw tons of snakes--maybe even more than we wanted to see :) A lot of that trail is shaded so it's even okay to do on a hot day. We also did the little Beach Trail and saw where you could rent kayaks and take them out to the Potomac. You could also drive your car up with a boat and launch it. There are also lots of places for pups to swim! It had rained recently, so it was kind of muddy and slippery. It'd be a nicer visit during a dryer season. This place is great for kids and dogs. We saw plenty of both. If you've ever seen the "Judgmental Map of Northern VA," this park is labeled as "some huge Park no one ever goes to." And it's true! There was endless parking. It was Memorial Day weekend and there were like twelve cars there. This park is a hidden gem! We left a lot to explore, but we will certainly be back for more excitement! read more

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I'm trying to place why I didn't get as much out of Mason Neck as compared to any number of other local waterside parklands. Maybe it's that the water here is fairly still; a lot of algae builds up during the summer and there isn't much wind to cool you off. Maybe it's the entrance fee, and the self-payment system that just screams how cheap the state government of Virginia is. Maybe it's just that it lacks swimmable water, cliffs, waterfalls, or any of the exciting aesthetic features that other areas of the Potomac have to offer. In any case, this sleepy little park is nonetheless a substantial preserve full of interesting wildlife (and not a ton of humans). A boardwalk leads through a wetland area with plenty of space to stop and enjoy the sounds. Plenty of picnic areas and benches situated well above the water level allow for a relaxed afternoon. One of the more distinctive aspects is a wildlife blind overlooking a grassy meadow if you're willing to hike on inland trails for a while. I like some of my other parks better, but there are definitely some nice features if you find yourself out here. read more

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This is a five star VA State Park for sure. I'm a hiker and mostly hit the mountains and see bears and snakes. I came here to expand my area and see more parks. I walked out three hours later promising myself to buy some binoculars for bird watching! I couldn't believe it. When I walked in DCR Ranger Justin schooled me about the area and wildlife here. He was so nice. He walked me around and brought out a telescope and binoculars and we looked out over the Belmont Bay. He and DCR Ranger Grey were knowledgable and kind. I took the Bayview Trail and the Marsh View trail. I saw a Great Blue Heron. I wouldn't have known what it was if not for the info posts so thanks for those! It was beautiful and the boardwalk across the wetlands was stunning. I was impressed. I know I'll come back again. * If Interested, biking is allowed and supported here! Lots of paths for biking and hiking. Kayaks available as well. This park has something for everyone! read more

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It depends on what you are looking for or why you are going to this state park but it is an alright area to visit on a nice day. Personally, I think there are some better options with other parks and trails in the area but it is neat that it is a peninsula surrounded by three different bodies of water. It is one of the better places in the area for bald eagle, osprey and deer watching though. We happened to see all 3 on a casual hike through some of the trails one Sunday afternoon, which was a nice addition. It is $5 per car to enter and there are around 6 trails, all less than 3 mi. I would assume. There are some boardwalk trails where you are elevated from the ground which is nice, especially in the marshy wetlands. There are also a handful of areas where you can set up for picnics/bbq's, etc. Another positive is that you can bring your own (or rent there) kayak, SUP, canoe, etc. as there is a boat landing area. There were a decent amount of folks taking advantage of the water activities and the water was very calm. Neat place for smaller kids but it's not much of a hiking trail if that's what you are looking for. read more

Mason Neck State Park - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia

Such a great social distancing activity! We came on a weekday to beat the crowds and that was definitely the smart decision. Pay at the unmanned entrance station & take your parking pass (no, I don't think it was being enforced, but it felt like the right thing to do). We hiked the Bayview to Wilson Springs to Eagle Spur (out and back) to the High Point. It made a nice 4 mile-ish hike. Didn't see any eagles or many people... it was nice to just be in the trees! Note the visitors center is currently closed, but there are surprisingly clean port-a-johns in the parking lot. Great experience! Will have to come back to do Dogue and Meadow View. read more

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In honor of Memorial Day, I decided to write a review on one of my favorite Virginia state parks and weekend summer retreats, Mason Neck. I randomly discovered it a few years ago while driving around aimlessly (ok, I was lost) in Lorton. Mason Neck is not as popular as other Northern Virginia parks -- meaning you can throw a frisbee here without worrying about it riccocheting off somebody's baby's head (I understand most yelpers have better frisbee skills than myself but to me, this is a real problem). It is a nice and quiet park and when I do run into people they are mostly setting up a hammock in a small oak grove that overlooks the water. This oak grove my friends, is PRIME hammock real estate. If you are lucky to grab a spot, a few friends can set up hammocks next to each other and ignore each other for an entire day but still feel like they spent time quality time together. They also have grills! Back to the water, Mason Neck has a bay that houses animals such as blue herons, bald eagles, woodpeckers and more. You can rent a kayak, canoe or Jon boat (the type of boat that they used in the "Notebook") and paddle all your troubles away. read more

I love to hike, but having been in the DC area since 2008, I'm running out of parks to try. It's gotten so dire that I've resorted to using Google Maps to spot areas that are colored green, then zooming in close enough to where the name of the park shows up. It's not the most efficient process-sometimes the green spaces are just golf courses. But I used this technique today to discover a park, about 45 minutes from DC, called Mason Neck State Park. It's located south of Fort Belvoir not far from I-95 on the west coast of the Potomac River. The park consists of 1814 acres of forest and marshland and several hiking trails, all accessible by the main road that ends at the visitors center overlooking the river. While I didn't set foot in the visitors center because I had my dog with me, I'm glad I started out there. There were several bird houses set up nearby and I had the chance to view all sorts of birds I hadn't seen before. High above the shoreline, about 200 feet down from the visitors center, is an osprey nest perched on top of a steel tower. I snapped a few shots of the osprey's head as it peered out over Belmont Bay, a mile-wide inlet of the Potomac. Previous Yelp reviewers suggested Bay View Trail, so I started there. The trail begins near the Visitors Center and leads down to through a small section of woods to the shoreline. There's a little dock where you can rent kayaks to go out on they bay. I didn't want to risk drowning Ollie so I passed that up and continued along the beach. It was a really beautiful day so I enjoyed relaxing on the beach, catching some rays until I noticed a little reptile head pop out of the water about 10 feet from me. I stood up to get a better look and realized it was a water snake, so I grabbed my stuff and moved away. It slithered past me and my dog on its way to the marsh behind us. A quick internet search when I got home showed that it was the non-venomous Northern water snake. According to the article, the snake is often mistaken for the venomous water moccasin and killed because of it. Unfortunately the Bay View Trail was closed off just as it turned towards the large marsh the snake was headed to. Not satisfied with my physical activity for the day, I stopped at another trail head on my way out of the park. The trail I took is not located in Mason Neck State Park, but a National Wildlife Refuge area called Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I took the Woodmarsh Trail, which led through another stretch of forest up a small incline for about 1/2 mile, ending at a viewing platform overlooking a huge marsh called The Great Marsh, where you can spot bald eagles in the mornings and evenings. I was there at 3pm and did not see any. Overall, this was a great trip for a morning or afternoon in the DC area. You can also make a day of it as there is a picnic area around the visitors center. Logistics: There is a $5 fee per car on the weekend; $4 on weekdays. In several areas of the park, there is no cell phone signal (at least for AT&T). Dogs allowed, but on leash. read more

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Mason Neck State Park is an attractive enough option for casual hiking not too far away from DC. They have several short trails that offer up quite a mix of scenery, and they are pretty accessible. All of the trails are children friendly, and one of them is even handicap friendly. SInce all of the trails were particularly short, typically a mile or less in length, I opted to kluge several of them together for a meatier 5.5-mile or so hike. Each trail is blazed, and all intersection of trails have detailed totem poles indicating the way and distance. It would be really challenging to get lost here. My route started out at the visitor center, followed the Bay View Trail to the lookout, and continued onto the Wilson Spring Trail, connected with a full loop of the Dogue Trail before crossing the road to the Eagle Spur Trail which went all the way out to Kanes Creek, and then I doubled back and connected with the Kanes Creek Trail back to the visitor center. It is a pretty interesting loop, and I recommend it for those looking to do a longer hike. Here are my notes for each of the trails: Bay View Trail: This trail has great views of Belmont Bay as well as an estuary. You can deviate from the trail and walk along the water or head to a lookout for scenic views. In the winter it is very pretty; I imagine in the summer that it is spectacular. Wilson Spring Trail: This trail has a lot of walking among the trees with slight hills here and there. It gives that sense of being in the woods without ever being very far away from anything. Of course, there is also Wilson spring to see, but it is not much of a spring in the winter. Dogue Trail: Handicap-accessible, which pretty much sums it up. A very level, evenly graded trail that does about a mile loop in a wooded thicket adjacent to a parking lot. Obviously, this is a great choice for the wheelchair-bound. I think it also works great for trail runners who don't mind doing repeats. For hikers though, it is really boring plodding along it though. If you have little ones with you though, it might be a decent choice. Eagle Spur Trail: Easily my favorite. This trail has some real hills, and it's an out-and-back, so hiking the full length gives you 2.2 miles. It takes you all the way out to the water where there is a very nice blind set up to view nature. I saw a lot of birds, and really enjoyed taking the time to reflect on the beauty before me. This was the only trail I felt I really was hiking on. Kanes Creek Trail: This trail gives you a nice loop through the woods with terrain similar to the Eagle Spur trail, but it never takes you anywhere except to return to the visitor center parking lot. As such, it is a great way to finish up the Eagle Spur trail. Overall, nice, easy park ripe with some scenic views and accompanying nature. It's great for a nice little escape from DC or NOVA. Recommend. read more

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Three and a half stars. Call me an adrenaline junkie, but I've been spoiled by other parks. Signage from the 95 exit is helpful when not overgrown. $4 admission for plentiful parking and access to tranquil, short trails; free maps at booth and center. Markers are drilled plates rather than paint, with wood posts at forks. Playground, picnic tables, and volleyball court near canoe/kayak launch. We saw a small lot by the Great Marsh trailhead before the entry booth, presumably associated with the adjacent wildlife refuge, along with the Woodmarsh Trail. Park staff are reasonably friendly but rarely seen away from their stations. More frog and cicada buzzing than birdsong. Despite a promising looking eagle nest, the only wildlife we spotted were two frogs, squirrels, and some herons across the creek... plus a ton of sparrows living in the birdhouses by the visitor center. Views are average but I guess bird-sighting is the bigger selling point here. Dirt trails in majority with one or two paved ones and the occasional short wooden bridge. We hiked Kane's Creek over to Eagle Spur, then back along Wilson Spring, to Bayview, and Beach Trail. Mostly covered, thanks to the tall trees. The beach itself is short but somewhat interesting to pick through. I agree that overall difficulty level is easy, though the routes marked as moderate are overrun with tree roots at points. We skipped Dogue so we could make it out of the park before sundown, but overall my interest level will gravitate me towards the refuge before we amend and redo this somewhat boring hike. read more

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I came here with my puppy the other day when it was 70 degrees in December and it's a great park! I've been here before for their bike trails, but I this time I took him more towards the beach side. They have a great beach trail, not very long, but still a beautiful and clean place. We also hikes the Bay View trail which is very easy and only about a mile. I brought my Nikon and got some great shots of the views so make sure to bring your camera! I would definitely be back especially since the trails wore out Goku which is always a plus! read more

Mason Neck State Park - Goku on the beach - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia

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A hidden Gem in Virginia. A short drive from DC and not heavily visit like other parks near by, such as Burke Lake and Lake Anna. It has picnic areas, a kayak/canoe launch ramp, trails, and many species for nature lovers. I bring my kayak here all the time and normally paddle to nearby Kane Creek for fishing Large Mouth, Catfish, Snakehead, etc. Along the way, you can see the American Eagles, turtles, and varieties of birds. I believe you can also camp here overnight. You will need to pay a fee to enter though. I have the yearly pass since I come here often throughout the year. So, if you need a nice quiet place to relax without bumping into many people, give this place a try. You will love it !!! read more

We love Mason Neck! This is a great park for kids, hikers, bird watchers etc. We have seen many Bald Eagles this Winter sitting on the icy water. This is a good place to relax, unwind and observe nature. read more

Mason Neck State Park - Bald Eagle within the trees. - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia

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Beautiful, not crowded, peaceful and well maintained. Good for picnics and hiking. Relaxing by the water. Nice little playground for kids.

The bayview trail is pretty good to take 3 year old toddler on. It has a good mixture of hills, bridges, overlooks, views of bay. Its definitely a trail that doesn't get boring. read more

Fairfax County's only state park is a bit tucked away but, on the whole, it doesn't disappoint. There are (or were, pre-COVID) boat rentals and a playground near the parking area along with roughly 10 miles of trails through marsh and woodland areas. The wooded, slightly challenging Meadow View trail is probably the best (it ends in an observation blind) although it really depends on your view. The longest trail--and the only one that's legally bike-able--is the paved Highpoint trail. And, while not a bad place for a bike ride, it's a disappointment for hikers looking to get away from it: the road and traffic noise are visible from most of it. read more

Beach, woods, picnic areas, play areas, restrooms, ample parking.. I love Mason Neck! Bring cash if possible as there is an entry fee upon arrival. There are lots of trails for hikers, bikers, walkers, etc., and the views are really pretty. It never feels overcrowded so if you're looking for a natural retreat and want to get away from the DC crowds, this is a great place to consider. Family friendly but bring food; there aren't places to eat within a several mile radius from what I could see so it's good to be prepared. read more

Great place and a lot to see!! Nice boardwalk areas and beaches where you can see the eagles fly and hunt for fish!! Very good experience and I will be back! read more

Lots of good, level hiking, but roots along the surface can trip you up. The hiking trails are quiet, and the areas around the visitor center bright and lively. read more

Mason Neck State Park - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia

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Not sure why this is listed as closed as I was just here last night for a hike with my bf. We arrived just after 6:30 pm and hiked two trails (Wilson Springs and Bay View). Wilson Springs takes you to Bay View, which as the name suggests takes you along the bay and as such great views of the bay are yours to enjoy. The trails were well-marked and well-maintained. I wasn't stumbling over tree trunks as I have in other hikes. At various outposts, there's also guides/maps to all the trails in the park. For an easy hike, definitely consider Mason Neck State Park! read more

The best park in the region. I come here regularly to paddle or birdwatch or take a short hike with my dog. It's always well-maintained and brimming with wildlife. As other reviewers have mentioned, it's not as busy as some of the other region's parks so you feel like you're really getting away from it all when you get out on a trail. As expected, there are bikers and other walkers or fishermen around, but you're not constantly dodging them or having to go around people. There's a $4 fee to get in the park, but it's well worth it. Plenty of playing fields for families who want to picnic and have a place for the kids to run around it. The trails are easy enough for those who can't handle strenuous walks and, as mentioned above, they're always well-maintained. There's a paved path, too, that's handicap accessible and plenty of overlooks off trails that open out over the water that keep the walks interesting. read more

Mason Neck is a good place that is close to DC area but a lot less people. We went there just to hike around. There are a few different trails and they are all very easy. We connected and hiked every trail and it ended up being just over 5 miles. The longest trail is just over a mile so there's nothing too hardcore and with it being in NoVa and near the river there are hardly any hills to speak of. There's a boat ramp where you can put in, a playground, & lots of picnic tables so it's nice to bring a lunch out. $4 to get in. read more

They are not kidding when they saw on their website that there are flying/biting insects. I do a lot of hiking in the area so I didn't expect this to be much different than all the other places, but the amount of mosquitos and flies out when I went was crazy. Literally the entire time I was there I was swatting mosquitos off my dog and me and flies were constantly buzzing in my ears. The hiking itself was just meh - nothing wrong with it but nothing to write home about either. We did see a large-ish snapping turtle, so that was kind of cool. I had never seen one before. It sounds like they can be pretty nasty, so something to watch out for. read more

Great place to take the family ! We had to arrive early knowing that this long weekend was a holiday .

This was a great place to go on a nice relaxing hike. We went on the Bay View trail and there were lots of nice marshy areas to check out, a cute little bridge by the bay, and a bird observation blind. We were dog sitting and were able to bring the dog on the hike with us. There is also a rental area for kayaks, which I would have loved to take them up on had we not had a four-legged friend tagging along. The weather was not as hot as it has been so I thought the place would be packed, but it was pretty empty. This would be a great place to grill out and picnic as they have lots of tables and grills and the park is really clean. It's also right in the Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge, which serves as a bald eagle sanctuary. I wish I knew where the bald eagle nests were. We'll have to try to find out next time if they're along one of the trails. This was definitely a great find in NOVA!! read more

This park is so pretty, it's a really nice spot where you can see the water and the trails are easy to go on as well. I would go again for sure! read more

Mason Neck State Park - Can't beat that Sunset. - Parks Near Me - Lorton, Virginia