Child's hand with small coquina shell
Return to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Beach combing

At Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Kid Friendly

Visitors to Back Bay Refuge are welcome to enjoy hiking and biking on the refuge beach while searching for shells. Shells and small pieces of driftwood are the only items that may be removed from the wildlife refuge. Just over three miles of beach are open year-round for select visitor activities. Please remain south of the refuge’s North Mile, which is closed to all visitor activities.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Activities

Several people standing and sitting along a beach. Fishing poles are staked in the sand next to beach chairs and beach fishing carts. The ocean is textured but calm and the sky is cloudy with some blue shining through.
Fishing
Boardwalk hiking trail at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Hiking
A deer stands in short grass next on the right side of a gravel path with trees, facing the left. There are trees in the background.
Biking
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4005 Sandpiper Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Get directions
(757) 301-7329 ext.4

Visitor Center and Trails: 4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Horn Point Canoe/Kayak Launch: 1008 Horn Point Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Refuge Headquarters (Mail): 1324 Sandbridge Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Suspected Wildlife Violations: 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477) or https://www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips

1324 Sandbridge Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Visitor Center and Trails: 4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Horn Point Canoe/Kayak Launch: 1008 Horn Point Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Refuge Headquarters (Mail): 1324 Sandbridge Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Suspected Wildlife Violations: 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477) or https://www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips