Facilities and Activities:
| Day-Use | Hunting | yes | | | Hiking Trail, miles | yes |
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Nearby Parks:
Mason Neck State Park
Mattawoman State Natural Environmental Area
Marumsco National Wildlife Refuge
Smallwood State Park
Leesylvania State Park
Doncaster State Forest
Fort Hunt National Park
Fort Washington National Park
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
National Memorial Park
Purse State Park
Chapel Point State Park
Fort DuPont State Park
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| National Park Contact Information: |
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Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge
7603 High Point Rd
Lorton, Virginia 22079
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| National Park Overview: |
| Mason Neck NWR was established in 1969 for the protection of nesting, feeding, and roosting habitat for the Bald eagles. It was the first federal refuge established specifically for the (then endangered) Bald eagle. The refuge is part of the Potomac River NWR Complex.
The refuge, situated along the Potomac River on the Mason Neck peninsula, consists of 2277 acres of oak-hickory forest, freshwater marshes, and has 4.4 miles of shoreline. The refuge has the largest fresh water marsh in Northern Virginia, the largest Great Blue heron rookery in the Mid-Atlantic region (over 1400 nests), is a designated RAMSAR site, 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. Seven Bald eagle nests occur on or adjacent to the refuge along with an eagle roost and a wintering population of 50-60 birds. The refuge was listed as one of the top ten sites in the country for viewing Bald eagles. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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excellent hiking trails!
well maintained, well-marked hiking trails; absolutely beautiful scenery....thank you Virginia for taking care of this park.
(name not given)
8-Aug-2009
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| History of the Area: |
| The recorded history of Mason Neck began in 1775 with the construction of nearby Gunston Hall, home of George Mason. Mason was an author of the Virginia Bill of Rights, predecessor to the United States Bill of Rights. Logging occurred repeatedly through the 1800's and 1900's and today remnants of the sawmills can still be found on the refuge. By the 1960's the timber had grown back but a new threat had arisen. Residential development threatened to destroy the integrity of the Mason Neck peninsula and endanger nesting eagles. The Nature Conservancy along with local citizens lead by "Eagle Lady" Liz Hartwell fought to stop the developers. They brought the beauty and significance of the eagle nesting sites and the expansive Great Marsh to the attention of local, State and Federal agencies. The refuge was created in 1969 as the first National Wildlife Refuge established for the protection of the then endangered bald eagle. |
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| | Advertise your park related business
on stateparks.com
...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Area Campgrounds | | | | Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Angler's Lie The
2165 N Glebe Rd
Arlington, VA
(703) 527-2524
| Holiday Sports Bait & Tackle
4520 Saint Barnabas Rd
Temple Hills, MD
(301) 894-3322
| Dawson's Small Arms of the World
14510 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Woodbridge, VA
(703) 490-3308
| Galyans Sports & Outdoor
12501 Fair Lakes Cir
Fairfax, VA
(703) 803-0300
| Dick's Sporting Goods
12501 Fair Lakes Cir
Fairfax, VA
(703) 803-0300
| LC Country Store & More
1741 Brooke Rd
Stafford, VA
(540) 659-6006
| Aquia Creek Outfitters
3306 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Stafford, VA
(540) 659-0852
| Dick Clark Fishing and Hunting Service
3815 Estel Rd
Fairfax, VA
(703) 385-5436
| Rod & Reel Repair
3612 Lee Hwy
Arlington, VA
(703) 528-3022
| Fairfax Rod & Gun Club
7039 Signal Hill Rd
Manassas, VA
(703) 368-6333
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| | Area Resorts and Lodging | | Great Eastern Resorts Corp
1549 Old Bridge Rd
Woodbridge, VA
(703) 494-8505
| Sandals All Inclusive Resorts by Preferrd TRVL Inc
8432 Old Keene Mill Rd
Springfield, VA
(703) 644-6844
| Fairfield Resorts
1757 King St
Alexandria, VA
(703) 837-3400
| Rustic Retreats
4354 Warren St NW
Washington, DC
(202) 686-5339
| Atlantis Resort The
1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC
(202) 349-4076
| Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
12777 Fair Lakes Circle
Fairfax, VA
(703) 818-1234
| Residence Inn by Marriott
12815 Fair Lakes Pkwy
Fairfax, VA
(703) 266-4900
| Teen Winter Sports
3821 Bevan Dr
Fairfax, VA
(703) 385-8100
| Courtyard Springfield
6710 Commerce St
Springfield, VA
(703) 924-7200
| Animal Resorts Inc
3208 Colvin St
Alexandria, VA
(703) 823-3647
| Rosen Hotels & Resorts
908 King St
Alexandria, VA
(703) 780-4009
| Fairmont Hotels & Resorts The
705 Avon pl
Alexandria, VA
(703) 299-6763
| Adams Marks Hotels & Resorts
2600 Roswell CT
Falls Church, VA
(703) 205-2901
| Adams Mark Hotels & Resorts
12304 Macrina CT
Woodbridge, VA
(703) 492-7444
| Best Western Arlington Inn & Tower
2480 S Glebe Rd
Arlington, VA
(703) 685-0051
| Starwood Hotels & Resorts
1306 S Norwood St
Arlington, VA
(703) 271-0972
| Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
1325 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA
(703) 525-1234
| Westin Hotels & Resorts
801 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA
(703) 717-6204
| Interstate Hotels & Resorts
4501 Fairfax Dr
Arlington, VA
(703) 351-9934
| Marriott Hotels & Resorts
1999 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Arlington, VA
(703) 418-0789
| Courtyard-Alexandria
2700 Eisenhower Ave
Alexandria, VA
(703) 329-2323
| Silliman Thomas Associates
425 N Lee St
Alexandria, VA
(703) 548-4100
| Courtyard-Fairfax Oaks
11220 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy
Fairfax, VA
(703) 273-6161
| Marriott Hotels & Resorts: Fairview Park Marriott
3141 Fairview Park Dr # R10
Falls Church, VA
(703) 849-9400
| Residence Inn-Fairfax Merrifld
8125 Gatehouse Rd
Falls Church, VA
(703) 573-5200
| TownePlace Suites by Marriott
205 Hillwood Ave
Falls Church, VA
(703) 237-6172
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| Directions: |
| Mason Neck NWR is located about 18 miles south of Washington D.C. From the north: take I-95 south to exit 163 (Lorton). Turn left on Lorton, right on Armistead Rd, and then right (south) on RT 1. Go to light at top of the hill and turn left on Gunston Rd. (242) and go about 4 miles. The refuge shares a common entrance (High Pt. rd.) with the Mason Neck State Park. From the south: take I-95 north to exit 161 (Rt 1, Ft. Belvoir), go north on Rt 1, turn right on Gunston rd, go about 4 miles to refuge entrance. |
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