Friends of Mason Neck State Park

Friends of Mason Neck State Park Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Friends of Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton, VA.

The Friends of Mason Neck State Park is a Section 501(c)(3) organization that works to support conservation, enhancement, and interpretation of Virginia's Mason Neck State Park.

September 2026 Events at the Park The park has lots of events this month. Enjoy programs about dragonflies, raptors, or ...
09/04/2026

September 2026 Events at the Park

The park has lots of events this month. Enjoy programs about dragonflies, raptors, or forest bathing, take a bird walk or a kayak trip, help improve the park’s pollinator gardens, and more. To see the programs the park has to offer, click on the park’s website below, scroll down until you see the list of upcoming events and click on “More events at this park.”

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/mason-neck

Save the Date for Owl Moon Saturday, October 3, 2026, 6 – 8:30 PM  Secret Garden Birds and Bees, a long-time favorite of...
09/04/2026

Save the Date for Owl Moon Saturday, October 3, 2026, 6 – 8:30 PM

Secret Garden Birds and Bees, a long-time favorite of park guests, will bring their hawks and owls for an evening of education and up-close photos of these amazing birds. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss it. The event is free, but standard parking fees apply. We’ll have more details in our October 1 newsletter.

Park After Dark – Black Light Night Saturday, September 5, 2026, 6:30 – 8 PM You have a unique opportunity to experience...
09/04/2026

Park After Dark – Black Light Night Saturday, September 5, 2026, 6:30 – 8 PM

You have a unique opportunity to experience Mason Neck State Park in a whole different way this Saturday. Park Staff will have handheld black light (UV) flashlights available for you to search for bioluminescent plants and animals in the park as they guide you on short hikes.

Come see how the Park changes as the sky grows dark. This event is free, but standard parking fees apply.

There’s no need to register – just come out and enjoy the park in the evening.

Photo by Kris Gulden

Help Clean Up the Park on National Public Lands Day 10 am to 1 PM Saturday, September 26 Become a steward of nature whil...
09/04/2026

Help Clean Up the Park on National Public Lands Day 10 am to 1 PM Saturday, September 26

Become a steward of nature while building your local community. and connecting with the people near you that share a passion for the outdoors. Meet with rangers at the Mason Neck State Park Visitor Center for a short talk about conservation and to get supplies to clean up the trash that washes onto the shoreline or is left and scattered along the trails and recreational areas.

Clean-Up days are self-paced, so come clean our shoreline for as much time as you can spare to make a difference at the park.
Please bring water, dress for the weather, and expect to get wet and a little dirty. All supplies (gloves, bags and some grabbers) will be provided by the park. If you have any questions, or are interested in more volunteer opportunities, please call the Visitor Center at 703-339-2385 or email [email protected]

Entry to the park is free On September 26.

A Generous Donation to the Friends Made the Park Quieter and Cleaner Dixie Sommers, a long-term member of the Friends, w...
09/04/2026

A Generous Donation to the Friends Made the Park Quieter and Cleaner

Dixie Sommers, a long-term member of the Friends, was bird watching at the park one morning when the peaceful day was interrupted by the roar of one of the park’s gas-powered leaf blowers. When the noise ended, Dixie realized that all the birds had left, driven away by the noise. Dixie asked the Friends if the park would be interested in replacing its gas-powered blowers with battery-powered ones. The park was open to the replacement, and Dixie donated funds to the Friends to cover the cost of two commercial-grade battery-powered leaf blowers.

The new blowers are now in operation. The park is quieter, the air is cleaner, the birds are happier, and the park staff can preserve their hearing.

Thanks, Dixie!

It’s Time to Enter the Friends’ “Picture the Magic” Photo Contest – the Friends Are Offering $1200 in Prizes for the Bes...
09/04/2026

It’s Time to Enter the Friends’ “Picture the Magic” Photo Contest –
the Friends Are Offering $1200 in Prizes for the Best Photos

We’ve already received several entries for the Friend’s 2026 Picture
the Magic photography contest. Be sure to send us your best
photos soon. The contest period ends on October 15.

We’re looking for images that highlight the park’s magic such as
striking images of the park’s scenery, flora, fauna, and aquatic
activities.

Images taken by young photographers and adults will be judged
separately and both will be eligible for cash prizes. Thanks to the
generosity of Ann Kaup, six prizes totaling $1200 will be awarded –
a $300 Grand Prize and two $150 First prizes in the Youth category
(under 18 as of October 15, 2026) and a $300 Grand Prize and two
$150 First Place prizes in the Adult category.

The best youth and adult photos will be published in our
newsletter, website, and social media.

The 2026 contest rules and a downloadable entry form are on the
Friends’ website:

https://friendsofmasonneckstateparkinc.wildapricot.org/Photo-Contest-Rules

REMINDER: It’s Time to Enter the Friends of Mason Neck State Park 2026 “Picture the Magic” Photo Contest – the Friends A...
08/01/2026

REMINDER: It’s Time to Enter the Friends of Mason Neck State Park 2026 “Picture the Magic” Photo Contest – the Friends Are Offering $1200 in Prizes for the Best Photos

Entries for the Friend’s 2026 Picture the Magic photography contest are now being accepted. We’re looking for images that highlight the park’s magic such as striking images of the park’s scenery, flora, fauna, and aquatic activities.

Images taken by young photographers and adults will be judged separately and both will be eligible for cash prizes. Thanks to the generosity of Ann Kaup, six prizes totaling $1200 will be awarded – a $300 Grand Prize and two $150 First prizes in the Youth category (under 18 as of October 15, 2026) and a $300 Grand Prize and two $150 First Place prizes in the Adult category.

The best youth and adult photos will be published in our newsletter, website, and social media.

The entry period for the photo contest closes on October 15, 2026. Prize winners will be notified by October 31, 2026.

The 2026 contest rules and a downloadable entry form are on the Friends’ website here: https://friendsofmasonneckstateparkinc.wildapricot.org/Photo-Contest-Rules

08/01/2026

The Friends Welcome Two New Board Members

The Board of Directors elected two new members to the Board at their July meeting. We are very pleased that they have agreed to help the Friends fulfill their mission to conserve, enhance and interpret the park’s natural, educational, recreational and cultural resources.

Bobby Lam says he is excited to join the Board. After spending over 40 years in federal service, he is now retired and thrilled to have more time to give back to the local community. He has spent more than a decade working with adaptive athletes in snow sports and feels he can contribute to the park by using that experience to help enhance its inclusive outdoor programs. When he is not volunteering, Bobby can usually be found enjoying just about anything nature has to offer — whether he is canoeing, fishing, biking, golfing, or capturing it all through his camera lens. He looks forward to helping keep Mason Neck State Park vibrant, inclusive, and accessible for all visitors.

Shane Storer grew up in Alexandria and Springfield and now lives in Lorton. He graduated from Longwood University in Farmville, VA, where he met his wife, Cassandra. Shane is a 3rd generation insurance agent and runs his small independent insurance agency in Springfield. He has volunteered in the past with Lorton Community Action Center, delivering food and picking up from Costco and Giant. In his free time Shane enjoys walking, watching sports, and working in his yard.

The Friends Sponsored a Day at the Park for Lorton Community Action Center’s Young People Eleven young people and two st...
08/01/2026

The Friends Sponsored a Day at the Park for Lorton Community Action Center’s Young People

Eleven young people and two staff from Lorton Community Action Center spent a fun day at the park last week. The Friends covered the cost of canoe rentals.

Park Staff and volunteers staffed the canoes, helping the young people paddle to the mouth of Kane’s Creek.

The Friends paid for lunch, drinks and snacks.

And park staff finished off the day with games and educational programs.

Address

7301 High Point Road
Lorton, VA
22079

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