Mason Neck State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Mason Neck State Park spans 1,814 acres on a peninsula surrounded by the Potomac River, Belmont Bay, and Pohick Bay in the state of Virginia. Two areas of the park are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and there are 30 additional archaeological sites on the grounds. The landscape is diverse and includes fields, ponds, forests, and wetlands. With other natural areas like Pohick Bay Regional Park and the Elizabeth Hartwell National Wildlife Refuge nearby, the area is well-suited for wildlife viewing. The park hosts special wildlife observation events throughout the year, including interpretative hikes, eagle watches, and others.
Spring 38-76 F
Summer 67-89 F
Fall 41-80 F
Winter 30-48 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Mason Neck State Park
Mason Neck State Park is open for day use only and does not have a campground.
What to Do at
Mason Neck State Park
Mason Neck State Park offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities across more than nine miles of paved, unpaved, and boardwalk trails. There is also a multi-use trail used by mountain bikers. The park offers wonderful ways to enjoy time on the water. The boat launch is suitable for car-top, non-motorized watercraft. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent from April to October, and there are also guided kayak tours. Anglers can fish by boat or on shore in both brackish and fresh waters. With picnic tables, a playground, observation areas, and special events at the park as well, Mason Neck State Park is the perfect spot to enjoy time in the great outdoors along Virginia’s coast.
Fishing
There are many great spots in Mason Neck State Park to cast a line from the shore. You can also take advantage of a non-motorized boat rental to fish on the water. White perch, shad, striped bass, and smallmouth bass are regularly caught here.
Geocaching
A few caches are hidden on the grounds at Mason Neck State Park, making this a wonderful spot to hunt for treasure. The coordinates for each of the caches are available on the geocaching website or mobile app.
Nature Watching
Mason Neck State Park is a popular destination for birding. While exploring the park, you could spot great blue herons, bald eagles, cardinals, shorebirds, ducks, and ospreys. Other species in the park are white-tailed deer, mice, shrews, turtles, salamanders, rabbits, foxes, snakes, butterflies, and others.
Hiking
There are nine hiking trails in Mason Neck State Park, and all are rated as easy or moderate. The longer routes are the 1.02-mile Beach View Trail, 2.94-mile High Point Multi-Use Trail, 1.1-mile Meadow View Trail, and 1.29-mile Eagle Spur Trail. Several of the trails lead to remote observation areas that are ideal for viewing wildlife.
Biking
Biking is permitted along the park’s roads and on the High Point Multi-Use Trail. This trail runs from the park's entrance to the picnic area, and it passes numerous trailheads for hiking. This is also a handicap-accessible trail and is available for hiking.
Boating
The waterways around Mason Neck State Park are easy to access for wildlife viewing, recreational fun, and fishing via the boat launch. The boat launch is available for non-motorized, car-top boats and is not suitable for trailered boats. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent seasonally at the visitor center.
How to Get to
Mason Neck State Park
Mason Neck State Park is located just south of Washington, D.C., and north of Fredericksburg. From Interstate 95, take the exit for Route 123. Follow this road west for roughly a mile. Then, turn left on U.S. 1. From this road, turn east on Route 242, which is also known as Gunston Road. Take this read directly to the park’s entrance.
Entering Mason Neck State Park
Mason Neck State Park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk daily. The park’s administrative office is open from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gift shop and visitor center are open from Friday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking is available near the Marsh View Trail, the Wilson Spring Trail, the boat launch, and the picnic area.
Mason Neck State Park Entry Fee per vehicle : $10.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Mason Neck State Park
While Mason Neck State Park is open year-round, many visitors prefer to take advantage of milder weather conditions during the spring and fall for hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking.
Mason Neck State Park has marsh, prairie, and coastal ecosystems, making it home to a variety of species. Species that you could spot seasonally or year-round are butterflies, snakes, salamanders, foxes, rabbits, turtles, shrews, mice, and white-tailed deer. Bird watching is also a popular activity, with ospreys, bald eagles, great blue herons, ducks, shorebirds, and cardinals commonly spotted.
The park is open for day use only.
Camping is not permitted at Mason Neck State Park.
Pets are permitted at Mason Neck State Park. They must be attended to at all times, and they must either be crated or on a leash no longer than six feet.