Back Bay
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Plan Your Visit
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings.
Driving Directions
From I-64: Take Exit 284 to I-264 East (Oceanfront); Take Birdneck Rd. Exit 22; Turn RIGHT onto Birdneck Rd.; Travel approximately 3-4 miles to General Booth Blvd. (just past Birdneck Elementary School); Turn RIGHT onto General Booth Blvd. Travel approximately 5 miles (After crossing London Bridge Rd., pay close attention to road signs.); Turn LEFT onto Princess Anne Rd. (second light after London Bridge Rd); Proceed straight (Note: Princess Anne Rd. becomes Sandbridge Rd.); Follow Sandbridge Rd. until you reach the Community of Sandbridge; Turn RIGHT onto Sandpiper Rd. (at the Fire Station); Follow Sandpiper Rd. approximately 4 miles (You will pass Little Island City Park on your left)
The entrance to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is at the end of Sandpiper Road. (4005 Sandpiper Road)
Visit Tips
- Entrance fees are in effect April 1 - October 31. No entrance fee is collected November 1 - March 31.
- Bring plenty of water for all members of your party.
- Be prepared for a coastal breeze at all times of the year.
- During the summer months a hat, sunscreen, water bottle and insect repellent will make your visit a success.
- From November 1 - March 31 both the East and West Dike Trails are closed to minimize disturbance for wintering waterfowl. Access to False Cape State Park remains available via the beach.
- Pets are not permitted on the refuge at any time, with the exception of service dogs.
The entrance fee can be paid by cash or check using provided yellow fee envelopes at the entrance to the wildlife refuge. Passes can also be purchased at the Visitor Center (call to inquire about hours for pass sales availability). The refuge is now able to accept credit cards for pass sales.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge issues several lifetime passes as part of the America the Beautiful program, including the Senior Lifetime Pass ($80.00), the Access Pass for permanently disabled citizens (Free), and the Military Lifetime Pass for veterans and Gold Star families (Free).
From I-64: Take Exit 284 to I-264 East (Oceanfront); Take Birdneck Rd. Exit 22; Turn RIGHT onto Birdneck Rd.; Travel approximately 3-4 miles to General Booth Blvd. (just past Birdneck Elementary School); Turn RIGHT onto General Booth Blvd. Travel approximately 5 miles (After crossing London Bridge Rd., pay close attention to road signs.); Turn LEFT onto Princess Anne Rd. (second light after London Bridge Rd); Proceed straight (Note: Princess Anne Rd. becomes Sandbridge Rd.); Follow Sandbridge Rd. until you reach the Community of Sandbridge; Turn RIGHT onto Sandpiper Rd. (at the Fire Station); Follow Sandpiper Rd. approximately 4 miles (You will pass Little Island City Park on your left)
The entrance to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is at the end of Sandpiper Road. (4005 Sandpiper Road)
Activities
More Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
At Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, volunteers form an integral part of the Visitor Services, Biology and Maintenance programs. Whether furthering conservation or sharing a love of the outdoors, volunteers help make the land healthier and the community stronger.
The following volunteer opportunities may be available. Please contact the Visitor Services Specialist at (757) 301-7329 ext. 4 or Erica_Ryder@fws.gov if you are interested in these opportunities or would like further information. Opportunities are often seasonal in nature.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: Every year over 2,000 children visit the Refuge and participate in a variety of outdoor education programs. We are searching for enthusiastic volunteers to help us provide high quality education programs to these young visitors. Please contact Erica Ryder (number and email above) for more information.
FACILITIES/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE: Operate the riding mower and/or other lawn tools to maintain Visitor Center grounds. This project takes place from April - October each year.
BLUE GOOSE TRAM DRIVERS/INTERPRETERS: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park partner to operate the Blue Goose Wildlife Tram. For 30 years a team of volunteers and staff have guided visitors through the wildlife refuge and False Cape State Park. We are currently searching for all those interested in driving and interpreting the Blue Goose Wildlife Tram. Driving the tram is a unique opportunity to visit the Refuge and False Cape State Park and to share all the beauty and history of these areas with the public. Schedules are flexible and training is provided. For more information contact Diego Rosario at Diego.Rosario@dcr.virginia.gov.
TRAIL MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR: Lead a group of 5-10 volunteers for a monthly trail maintenance day. Activities include cutting back shrubs, trimming Phragmites, removing debris from trails, and light trail rehabilitation. We work to beautify our hiking trails, using scientific techniques to keep our trails healthy, safe and aesthetically pleasing.
BEACH CLEANUPS: Every year we host two community beach cleanups, for Clean the Bay Day (May/June) and National Public Lands Day (September). Be sure to call us to sign up for one of these events. Volunteer groups can also sign up for beach cleanups at any time of the year. We welcome your help!
Other volunteer projects, such as a BioBlitz event or Dune Grass Planting program, may come up throughout the year. For upcoming events, check the Events section of the website or the Back Bay Refuge Facebook page.
Horn Point Host 2027
Join the team at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia! Site hosts at the Horn Point Kayak/Canoe Launch site are an integral part of Visitor Services operations every April through October. The Horn Point Kayak Site includes a small, soft kayak launch, two small restrooms and small freshwater fishing ponds.
The first national wildlife refuge was established in 1903 as a result of concerned citizens. Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love.
Services
Back Bay NWR provides a variety of facilities including hiking and biking trails, freshwater and surf fishing locations, indoor restrooms (open during daylight hours) and a Visitor Center. Specialized services include the Wildlife Viewing Window (a photo blind with one-way glass), non-motorized boat launches at the Visitor Center and Horn Point (open seasonally), and pass sales for Duck Stamps and America the Beautiful passes.
Injured wildlife found in your yard or neighborhood can be reported to Tidewater Rescue at (757)255-8710 or Wildlife Response at (757)543-7000.
About
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to protect and provide habitat for migratory and wintering waterfowl along the Atlantic Flyway. The refuge encompasses a variety of habitats including beach, dunes, shrub-scrub, freshwater wetlands, and woodlands. It offers over eight miles of scenic trails, a Visitor Center, and diverse recreation like hiking, biking, fishing, and photography. The refuge has grown to over 9,000 acres, protecting a critical watershed and providing a buffer against urban development.