State Parks and National Parks

Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Eighteen miles south of Washington on the banks of the Potomac River, is an 8,000-acre peninsula known as Mason Neck.

Covering 2,277 acres of the peninsula, the refuge provides habitat for the endangered American bald eagle.

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 near the refuge along with an eagle roost and a wintering population of 50 to 60 birds. The refuge was listed as one of the top 10 sites in the country for viewing bald eagles.

Other wildlife at the refuge includes white-tailed deer, wood ducks, beaver, wildflowers, turtles, muskrats and great blue herons.

The primary visitor activities are birdwatching and hiking on two trails; one is three miles round-trip and the other is three-quarters of a mile.

Photo credits in order: Photo by Glen Smart, courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.