Mason Neck State Park

Important Notices

COVID-19 & the VBWTBefore heading out to visit a site on the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, be sure to check if that site has any COVID-19 policies or closures in place. This information is typically posted on a site's own website.

Description

Mason Neck State Park is a gem among Virginia’s fine state parks. The nature center, which provides information about natural history and the park’s trails and wildlife, has been wonderfully landscaped with butterfly gardens. During summer months, butterflies and dragonflies may outnumber visitors. Inquire at the nature center about the park’s guided canoe trips and eagle outings. Trails depart from the nature center and offer expansive vistas of Belmont and Occoquan Bays. These rich bodies of water offer year-round birding opportunities that include raptor viewing, wintering waterfowl, wading birds, and migrating Caspian terns. Take advantage of the self-guided nature trail. The park’s paths also ramble through deciduous forest whose canopy towers overhead. Ovenbird, wood thrush, yellow-billed cuckoo, and great-crested flycatcher breed here during summer months, and migration swells the number of woodland bird species to over 100.

Directions

Physical Address: 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton, VA 22079

Access to the park is via U.S. 1, then five miles east on Route 242 (Gunston Road) to the park entrance.

Location & Directions

View on Google Maps

Site Information

Birds Recently Seen at Mason Neck State Park (as reported to eBird)

  • Canada Goose
  • Gadwall
  • Mallard
  • Lesser Scaup
  • Bufflehead
  • Mourning Dove
  • Ring-billed Gull
  • Pied-billed Grebe
  • Double-crested Cormorant
  • Great Blue Heron

Seasonal Bird Observations

Facilities

  • Fee
  • Accessible
  • Hiking Trails
  • Information
  • Interpretive Nature Program
  • Interpretive Trail
  • Parking
  • Phone
  • Picnic
  • Restrooms
  • Viewing Blinds