Wildlife Wonderlands: Exploring Virginia’s National Wildlife Refuges

Did you know that Virginia is home to 16 national wildlife refuges? For you and me, that means a lot of places to see wildlife, from birds and beetles to otters and ponies, and get back to nature on nature’s terms. All of them can be found in the eastern third of the state, with several in Coastal Virginia and on the Eastern Shore. 
 

What are National Wildlife Refuges?

National Wildlife Refuges are federal parcels of land managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. They are dedicated to conservation, protection, and enhancement of the flora and fauna that are found on the refuge. Furthermore, the refuges are also charged with managing wildlife-oriented recreation for visitors in national wildlife refuges. 

What to know before you go: Wildlife refuges are strict about their hours and visitation, which change seasonally. Be sure to check dates ahead of time, and note hunting dates — during those times, some refuges close for non-hunting visitors. Don’t be scared to call ahead for seasonal advice as what wildlife to observe and best times for observation.

Some refuges are closed to visitation entirely or only allow visitation only under supervision of refuge staff. Here are some facts about the National Wildlife Refuges in Virginia which welcome visitors. 

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Nearest Town: Virginia Beach

About The Refuge: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge harbors almost 10,000 acres of Atlantic Ocean barrier island, including the oceanfront and the bay behind it as well as islands in Back Bay. Protected habitats include dunes as well as fresh and salt marshes.

About The Wildlife: The refuge was established to provide a migratory stopover for birds on the Atlantic Flyway, most notably snow geese, Canada geese, and tundra swans, as well American black ducks. Their populations top out in December and January, a good time to visit the refuge. Loggerhead turtles are also an important protected species.

What You Can Do There: View wildlife via some of the eight miles of trails. Additionally, paddlers can launch canoes or kayaks to explore the tidal shallows and Back Bay from Horn Point launch. Bicyclers can pedal East Dike and West Dike. 

There's much more to see in the area — start planning with our complete guide to visiting Virginia Beach. 

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Nearest Town: Mason Neck/Lorton

About The Refuge: The Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge is situated in the Northern Virginia town of Lorton, on a peninsula jutting into the Potomac River. It was established specifically help protect the bald eagle. The refuge also contains the Great Marsh, a large freshwater wetland rich in biodiversity.

About The Wildlife: Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck NWR was the first American refuge established specifically for bald eagles. To this day, bald eagles are first on the wildlife list. They nest here and can be seen year-round. Blue herons call this refuge home. In spring and summer, up to 500 heron nests may be established in the 2,200-acre refuge. The forests are also home to deer and migrating waterfowl.

What You Can Do There: Birding is a prime activity here. Visitors seek out the big ones — eagles and herons. Three trails are located on the refuge. The first, High Point Trail, is a paved path paralleling the main park road and is used primarily by recreating walkers, hikers, bicyclers, and runners. The other two paths are wildlife-oriented and feature observation platforms. The 3-mile Wood Marsh Trail is for hikers only and traverses and mix of woods and wetlands to end at the Great Marsh. The all-access Great Marsh Trail extends ¾ mile and also ends at the Great Marsh.  

Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge

Nearest Town: Woodbridge

About The Refuge: Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge protects a parcel of Occoquan Bay shoreline, an arm of the lower, tidal Potomac River. Seemingly small at 325 acres, the Northern Virginia refuge is part of an attempt by U.S. Fish & Wildlife to establish a contiguous wetland along the lower Potomac River.

About The Wildlife: This refuge is very important to the American black duck, a species in decline. Farm Creek, within the refuge, provides critical habitat for them. They are found year-round here. Downy woodpeckers call the forests of the refuge home, while the extensive freshwater wetlands are significant for smaller shorebirds like the least bittern.

What You Can Do There: You're gonna need a boat. There is a non-motorized boat landing at the south end of Farm Creek. Here, you can land your craft and walk a half-mile trail through the refuge, ending at another segment of Farm Creek. Launch your canoe or kayak at nearby Leesylvania State Park.  

Check out our guide to visiting Prince William County for more fun things to do near Featherstone NWR. 

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Nearest Town: Chincoteague

About The Refuge: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most visited refuges in the entire country, much of it due to the wild ponies and the refuge’s access to Assateague Island National Seashore. The 14,000 acres are important for migratory birds, but also for nesting and shorebirds such as the piping plover.

About The Wildlife: The wild ponies are undoubtedly the star of the show and can be seen year-round. The Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel — rarely seen in more civilized environments — is another attraction seen on drives through the refuge. Migratory waterfowl fill the refuge in late fall, with some wintering here.

What You Can Do There: Visitors love to visit the Assateague Lighthouse, accessible by ¼-mile trail. The Swan Cove Trail leads a half-mile to the beach where shorebirds will be found. Pedal your bicycle on gated Service Road in search of wild ponies. Use the Marsh Trail to view waterfowl in late fall or head to the observation platform on the other side of the Snow Goose Pool.  

Want more information? Find everything you need to know about the Chincoteague Ponies. 

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Nearest Town: Warsaw

About The Refuge: Located along the lower Rappahannock River, the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge is scattered into multiple units currently covering over 8,000 acres. Just as it has multiple units, it has multiple habitats ranging from tidal marsh to piney woods. The refuge aspires to harbor over 20,000 acres, partnering with organizations such as the Nature Conservancy.

About The Wildlife: Bald eagles are the refuge’s showcase species. The refuge hosts Virginia’s largest number of wintering bald eagles, as well as breeding pairs of bald eagles. The river corridor is important for other avians, from osprey to scarlet tanagers. American black ducks use the refuge for migration and wintering.

What You Can Do There: Five units of the refuge are open to the public year-round, from sunrise to sunset. Winter eagle photography attracts visitors, as well as fishing, paddling, and wildlife observation. You may even see at-risk species like the spotted salamander or spotted turtle. 

James River National Wildlife Refuge

Nearest Town: Garysville

About The Refuge: Located on the lower James River southeast of Richmond, the James River National Wildlife Refuge is around 4,000 acres. Habitats range from the James River itself to floodplain forests rising to hardwood forests and pine uplands. Of special note is importance for sea going fish that spawn in rivers such as the James.

About The Wildlife: Important for bald eagles — both nesting and migrating — the preserve is also vital habitat for the night-feeding Chuck-wills widow, which nests on the floor of pine forests. In the river there will be the aforementioned river spawning sea-going fish such as Atlantic sturgeon, striped bass, and alewife.

What You Can Do There: Much of the refuge is closed to the public, but you can explore the Powell Creek nature trail. Walk the 1.5-mile trail and see what wildlife you can spot. 

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Nearest Town: Suffolk

About The Refuge: At over 100,000 acres, the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the largest wildlife refuge in Virginia (the lesser part is in North Carolina). The refuge harbors multiple plant communities within its bounds, much of it wetlands. Though the ecosystem has been altered from past uses, the FWS continues to restore the Great Dismal Swamp to its previous condition.

About The Wildlife: Everything from bears to butterflies call this massive refuge home, expanding the wildlife viewing possibilities. Songbirds inhabit much of the preserve. In late fall incredible numbers of American robins and blackbirds descend on the Great Dismal Swamp. However, birding is best from April through June, coinciding with the spring migration.

What You Can Do There: Visitors hike, bicycle, and boat their way to view wildlife and fish. Two ramps serve small boat visitors who want to motor or paddle to Lake Drummond, the largest natural freshwater lake in Virginia. Hikers and bicyclers follow former logging roads that once criss-crossed the refuge. The Washington Ditch, an unpaved track popular with bicyclers, leads 4.5 miles one-way to an overlook of Lake Drummond. Jericho Ditch, also unpaved, is popular with birders. The West Ditch Boardwalk Trail takes an elevated path through a wetland.  

Eastern Shore Of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

Nearest Town: Kiptopeke

About The Refuge: Being located at the southerly tip of the Delmarva Peninsula makes the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge a must-stop migratory place not only for waterfowl, but also for butterflies and raptors.

About The Wildlife: This refuge is migration centered, as avians on the Atlantic Flyway are funneled down the peninsula. Raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds are represented on the refuge’s bird list, which exceeds 400 species! Wading and shore birds find their place here, too. Land-based critters including deer and rabbits may be observed.

What You Can Do There: Paddlers and boaters can pay $10 to access the big boat ramp and engage in water-based recreation while walkers will enjoy the short Butterfly Trail. The path leaves from the visitor center. The Wildlife Trail combines wildlife viewing with local history as you end up atop a World War II bunker with stellar views. The paved Southern Tip Hike & Bike Trail traces the former Cape Charles Railroad line. 

Start planning your adventure with our guide to small towns on Virginia's Eastern Shore. 

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Nearest Town: Woodbridge

About The Refuge: The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is another Northern Virginia refuge. Its proximity to the urban area makes it important wildlife habitat and important for the nearby citizenry to learn about wildlife. Located where the Occoquan River meets the Potomac, the 640-acre area of marshes and meadows is heavily managed for maximizing wildlife.

About The Wildlife: Osprey are most commonly seen, as they hunt the adjacent waters. Visitors might see river otters, common on the refuge but more active at night. American woodcocks inhabit shrubby meadows. Songbirds are plentiful in the meadows, especially when migrating north through the refuge in May. Migrating monarch butterflies can be found here in September.

What You Can Do There: A two-mile loop drive can be undertaken by auto wildlife watchers as well as bicyclists. Four miles of gated roads are open for hikers only, including tracks paralleling Occoquan Bay. Painted Turtle Pond is a popular spot, accessed via Lake Drive.

Check out our guide to visiting Prince William County for more fun things to do near Occoquan Bay NWR.