Mason Neck State Park, just south of Fort Belvoir in the Lorton VA
area, is a treasure of 10 hiking trails passing through diverse scenery
and flora. Mostly flat, this park is the perfect location for a weekend
picnic and hike, and suitable for all skill levels. Mason Neck State
Park covers 1,825 acres, and is one of several wildlife and recreation
areas in Mason Neck, with a total area dedicated to wildlife management
and recreation of over 6.400 acres.
With a sandy beach and wetland marsh along the Bay View Trail, to meadow views and bird blinds,
the park has something for everyone. With 200 different species of
birds that call the park home, this area is a bird watchers paradise.
The 7.5 mile hike listed here utilizes all but a couple of trail
sections and passes all the highlights in the park.
- Mile 0.0 - From the parking area at the picnic ground start at the kiosk and red blazed Bay View Trail. From the kiosk pick up one of the trail brochures that highlight some of the features on the trail. Follow the path on the right along Belmont Bay where shortly the trail will join a boardwalk. The waterline is being protected from erosion by long Gabion Basket walls. Arrive at the first fresh water marsh on the left, then the boardwalk will pass a section of sandy beach. Cross the long boardwalk to the other side of the marsh and climb the stairs to a 4-way intersection.
- Mile 0.5 - Turn right to complete the smaller loop side of the Bay View Trail. At the far end of the small loop is a bird blind of the western section of the marsh. Continue and complete the loop back to the 4-way intersection. Turn right continuing on the red Bay View Trail and arrive at the intersection with the yellow blazed Wilson Spring Trail. Turn right, the yellow trail will pass through several gullies before reaching the intersection of the Dogue Trail and Wilson Spring parking area.
- Mile 1.19 - Turn right on the orange blazed Dogue Trail and shortly pass the loop intersection. Continue straight on the orange Dogue Trail and follow it around to the left and intersection with the purple blazed Meadow View Trail.
- Mile 1.64 - Turn right on the purple Meadow View Trail. The trail is narrower than the more path like Dogue Trails. The Meadow View Trail offers the most elevation gain of the hike. Cross multiple wooden board walks, then arrive at the trails end and elevated bird blind over a large field. Return back to the t-juntion with the Dogue Trail and turn right. Follow the path back to the loop start, turn right and arrive at the Wilson Spring Trail parking area and main park road. Cross the road on the yellow blazed Wilson Spring Trail then soon arrive at the intersection of the blue blazed Kane's Creek trail.
- Mile 4.32 - Turn right on the blue Kane's Creek Trail and in fifty yards the white blazed Eagle Spur Trail will enter on the right. Turn right on the white Eagle Spur trail and follow it through several small gullies. The trail is named for the Eagle Scouts that built it, and not the eagles that can be found in the park. Just before arriving a the elevated bird blind over Kane's Creek the trail will enter a stand of Mountain Laurel. Return on the Eagle Spur Trail bask to the intersection with the Kane's Creek Trail.
- Mile 6.71 - Turn right on the wider blue blazed Kane's Creek trail, and pass the loop section of the trail in 0.3 miles. Continue straight on the blue Kane's Creek Trail for the remaining 0.49 miles to the main picnic area.
- Mile 7.1 - Arrive back at the picnic and parking area.
