Features

  • Important Alert

    OUR MAILING ADDRESS HAS CHANGED

    PLEASE NOTE: Our mailing address has changed to 8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague, VA 23336.

  • Hours

    Refuge Hours

    The refuge is open from 5am to 10pm, 7 days a week. Visitor Center hours are 9am to 4pm, 7 days a week. (9am-5pm starting June 1st)

    Contact Info, Hours & Directions

  • Wildlife Viewing

    Recent Bird Sightings

    This list shows data from eBird Trail Tracker. Since many refuge locations are included, one species may be listed multiple times.

    Recent Bird Sightings

  • Over sand vehicle icon.

    Virginia OSV Zone Status

    All OSV status updates for the Virginia portion of Assateague Island are posted in real time via the twitter account @ChincoteagueOsv.

    Click for OSV Zone Status Site

Around the Refuge

2019-2020 Hunt Opportunities Available

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The 2019-2020 hunt brochures, orientations and applications are now available. Completed applications should be mailed to the refuge or emailed to Charles_Sands@fws.gov. Please refer to the trail section of our website to find closure/safety information for non-hunting visitors during the hunt season.

Big Game & Waterfowl Hunting

Watch Butterflies for Science!

2017 Pass Contest Winner

Here's a new citizen science opportunity for those wishing to help conserve monarch butterflies. Researchers need you to collect information about the places monarchs spend the night during fall migration. Interested? Check out the brochure, download the Collector for ArcGIS app and get started!

Monarch Migration Validator Brochure (pdf 1.5MB)

2019 Striped Bass Regulations

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The Virginia Marine Resources Commission issued new fishing regulations for striped bass in 2019. Know before you fish by checking their website for the most current information.

Virginia Marine Resources Commission Website

Pet Policy

Pet Policy

Please leave your dog at home. All pets are prohibited (even in your vehicle). Service dogs as defined by the ADA permitted on a 6 ft leash.

ADA Service Animal Information
Looking Forward

Beach Relocation Planning

New Beach Experience (Promo 150x118)

A third collaborative, recreational beach planning workshop was held with local, state and federal partners in May 2017 to continue refining design concepts at the new recreational beach location, 1.5 miles north of the current recreational beach. Funding is currently unavailable. More materials available at FHWA Website: https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/va/chin-10/

2017 Beach Relocation Update (pdf 266KB)

About the Complex

Chincoteague NWR Complex

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Chincoteague NWR Complex .

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

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The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
Follow NWRS Online