Name: Mason Neck State Park! A Moderate 5 or 8 miles
Start: 2025-08-30T09:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-08-30T13:00:00-04:00
Location: Mason Neck State Park with Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group! Your Choice of A Newbie Friendly/Easy 5 or 7 Total Miles

Mason Neck State Park! A Moderate 5 Miles with optional 3 miles at Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Refuge, part of Mason Neck.

Mason Neck State Park is a gem among Virginia’s fine state parks. It is situated on a peninsula formed by Pohick Bay on the north, Belmont Bay on the south and the Potomac River on the east. The park attracts over 200 species of migrating and non-migrating birds, including whistling swans and assorted species of duck. Bald eagles also inhabit the area. The park boasts several hundred acres of hardwood forests consisting of oaks, holly, hickory and other species of trees. In addition, several wetland areas are also found in Mason Neck. The land for the park was purchased over the years from private owners and the Nature Conservancy. The park connects with a National Wildlife Refuge that includes over 2,000 acres. The park opened to the public in 1985.

The nearby Elizabeth Hartwell Wildlife Refuge has the largest freshwater marsh in Northern Virginia, the largest Great Blue heron rookery in the Mid-Atlantic region (over 1400 nests), and hosts over 200 species of birds, 31 species of mammals, and 44 species of reptiles and amphibians. Eagles use the mature forests for shelter and nesting sites and the marshes, bays, and river for foraging and hunting. The refuge was listed as one of the top ten sites in the country for viewing Bald eagles. The refuge also serves as the winter home of migratory Tundra swans.

**Trail Information**
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Lorton, VA
Length: 5 or 8 miles
Time: 2.5 for 5 miles, 3.5 for 8 miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Moderate

**Park Entry Fee**
There is a $10 park entrance fee.

**Gear Suggestions**
[Click Here](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/gear-information.html) for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.

**Weather Information**
We hike rain, snow, or shine. [Click Here](http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/USWV0781?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared) to view the forecast for the area where we will be hiking.

**Hike Pace**
The goal for this hike is to maintain an average moving pace of \~ 2.0 mph. This speed is frequently used in popular hiking publications to represent the pace of an average hiker.

**Our RSVP and Group Etiquette**
[Click Here](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/hike-and-trail-etiquette.html) to review our RSVP policies and group etiquette.

**Directions to the Trailhead**
Mason Neck State Park Visitors' Center
7301 High Point Rd, Lorton, VA
38.644278, -77.198639

For the optional 3 Miles:
Woodmarsh Trail Parking Area
38.648541, -77.165385

Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 8:45-8:55 a.m.

The Hike is at 9:00 a.m. SHARP

Please remember we are a volunteer-supported organization that values:

1. [Fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good hike etiquette](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/hike-and-trail-etiquette.html).
2. [Leave No Trace principles](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/leave-no-trace.html).

Our hikes are led by generous, dedicated, and qualified MAHG members who volunteer as leaders for Mid-Atlantic Hiking Groups volunteer leadership team. [Click Here](http://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/pages/9595722/How_To_Join_Our_Leadership_Team!/) to become a part of the team!
Hikes also have a volunteer “sweeper” to help ensure that no hiker is left behind. MAHG volunteers and members are very supportive, and encouraging, with a focus on safety while enjoying excellent camaraderie and benefiting from the many health benefits of hiking and unplugging from the stress of day-to-day life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an important part of MAHGs core values, as is our dedication to the conservation of our natural resources and our commitment to the organization's mission.
Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a [volunteer supported tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html) and donations ARE tax-deductible.

Tax ID: 47-5141831

Fido Must be Pre-Approved BEFORE Attending This Hike. Our hike's route is much tougher on paws than most trails. Contact the leader to discuss the route and your dog's experience to determine if this is a good hike for your dog at this time.

Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there!

Greg: 571.484.7499
Christa: 410.610.6254

• [Donations](https://midatlantichikinggroup.networkforgood.com/projects/18298-for-the-health-of-it) to Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group are Tax Deductible.

Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charitable organization.
• Click [here](http://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/about/) to Learn more about Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s Mission.

Christa Conant

Greg Roscetti

Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group

MAHG is Proud to Have Received a GOLD Rating from GuideStar!

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MAHG is a Gold Level Alliance Member of the American Hiking Society

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We Are a Partner with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

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MAHG Participates in The Nature Conservancy Adopt an Acre Program

MAHG Adopts Acres in the Appalachians!

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 Mason Neck State Park!  A Moderate 5 or 8 miles

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Mason Neck State Park with Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group! Your Choice of A Newbie Friendly/Easy 5 or 7 Total Miles

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