Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

There is wildlife to see at Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge during all seasons! The refuge provides ample viewing opportunities of bald eagles and great blue herons, year-round. During the spring and summer months, the refuge hosts one of the...

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, in cooperation with the Mason Neck State Park, hosts an annual white-tailed deer hunt to manage the deer population on the site. The hunter success rate, coupled with the overall popularity of the large-scale hunt within Northern...

The refuge features an environmental education loop trail off Sycamore Road. This area is not open to the general public and requires a Special Use Permit for access. Environmental education activities are primarily self-guided field trips exploring topics prepared by the teacher. Educators may...

Though exploring the refuge is restricted to established nature trails, you’ll find that these winding forested corridors are rich in nature and history. Visitors to the refuge can enjoy walking along our 4 miles of trails to view birds and other wildlife, or simply enjoy the solitude.

The digital photo age has made nature photography both fun and easy. Vistas and overlook platforms located along our hiking trails provide secluded viewing points to capture photographs of wildlife and colorful landscapes. Enjoy the search for woodland songbirds, waterfowl, and eagles as...

Fishing is permitted in certain waters of the refuge. It is allowed in accordance with State regulations subject to certain conditions. Please view our fishing information sheet for more details.