Walks with Bear the Dog

📍 Lorton, Virginia

There’s something magical about a foggy fall morning in the woods — the quiet, the colors, and that soft mist that makes everything feel still and alive at the same time. We hit the Woodmarsh Trail in Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, Virginia, and it turned out to be one of those perfect, peaceful days on the trail.

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🐾 The Hike

The Woodmarsh Trail is a beautiful woodland loop with a little bit of everything — shaded forest paths, open views of the marsh, and plenty of wildlife if you take the time to look. About one-third of the hike follows the edge of the woods, where the fall colors were absolutely popping — gold, red, and orange leaves glowing through the fog.

Roughly a third of the way in, there’s a lookout point that gives a gorgeous view of the marsh and its birdlife. We spent a while there, watching the waterfowl and soaking in the stillness. We even spotted a bald eagle gliding overhead — one of those moments that makes you stop and just smile.

The rest of the trail winds gently through the forest. There’s a large fallen tree across the path along the loop — easy enough to walk around, but a fun little reminder that nature makes its own rules out here.

If you want to check it out, you can find details, maps, and recent trail reports on AllTrails — Woodmarsh Trail. Give it a like or save it for your next Northern Virginia adventure!

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🌿 Quiet Beauty

The fog gave the whole hike a cozy, dreamlike feel — perfect for a slow walk and a few deep breaths. It’s not a busy trail, so you’ll likely get long stretches of quiet, broken only by the sound of birds or Bear rustling through the leaves.

This one’s an ideal pick for anyone who loves peaceful woodland walks and a good mix of terrain without the crowds.

Bear gives it 🐾🐾🐾🐾 — four paws up!

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🍻 Post-Hike Stop: Fair Winds Brewery

After our walk, we stopped at Fair Winds Brewing Company— one of Bear’s favorite spots since it’s dog-friendly both inside and out! It was about 10 miles from the trail and is always a great pet friendly stop.

I tried the Siron’s Lure, a saison with a nice, crisp finish, while my husband went for the Double Decker — both solid picks. But the real star? The Wagon Wheel food truck that was parked outside that day.

We ordered the lot:
🍗 Chicken & Waffles
🥖 Meatball Sub
🍖 Ribs
🍔 Hamburger

Everything was tasty, but the chicken and waffles stole the show — crispy, honey-sweet with just a bit of heat, and waffles that were sugary, fluffy perfection. 10/10, no question.

📊 Trail Stats & Tips

Category	Details
Trail Name	Woodmarsh Trail
Location	Lorton, Virginia
Distance	~2.8 miles round trip
Difficulty	Easy
Trail Type	Loop
Dog-Friendly?	Yes (leashed)
Best For	Woodland hiking, bird watching, fall colors
Highlights	Marsh overlook, bald eagles, quiet woods, foggy atmosphere
Facilities	Small parking lot, restrooms
Tip	Look out for Bald Eagle. You may see a fallen tree along the loop and enjoy the marsh overlook about a third of the way in.

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💰 Trip Budget (Approx.)

Item	Cost
Parking	Free
Food (Wagon Wheel Food Truck)	$74
Beer (2 at Fair Winds Brewery)	$11
Total	$85

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