Blue Goose Wildlife Tram Program
The Blue Goose Wildlife Tram program is a partnership between Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. The tram is an open-air bus, seating up to 27 passengers. Tram tours begin at the wildlife refuge parking lot and start with a ride through the wildlife refuge to reach False Cape State Park. After a brief visit at the park's Visitor Center the tram continues deep into the state park, all the way to the site of the historic Wash Woods community. A one-mile, round-trip (optional) hike brings participants to the cemetery and church steeple, all that is left of this community. After returning to the tram, passengers are transported back through the park and the wildlife refuge to the starting point. Throughout the trip the tram driver provides information about the history, wildlife and management of both natural areas.
The fee for the tram is $8.00 per person. Please note that from April 1 - October 31 there is also a $5.00 per vehicle entrance fee (site day pass) to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, payable upon arrival or ahead of time on Recreation.gov. The $5.00 vehicle entrance (site day pass) is waived if you are an America the Beautiful, Federal Duck Stamp or Refuge Annual passholder.
The Blue Goose Wildlife Tram program is primarily administered by False Cape State Park, who maintains registration and collects fees for each trip. Registration takes place online. The unique registration links for each tram tour are found below. Please contact False Cape State Park at 757-426-7128 or Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge at 757-301-7329 ext.3106 with questions about this program. Please note, if you have need of a wheelchair lift please contact the state park or wildlife refuge two weeks prior to your visit.
Tram Schedule
April and May: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00am - 1:00pm
June - August: Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:00am - 1:00pm
September and October: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9:00am - 1:00pm
November - March: Sundays, 12:00pm - 4:00pm. There is no entrance fee to the wildlife refuge at this time. False Cape State Park continues to collect the $8/person tram tour fee.
Winter Registration Links
- Sunday, November 23 - Register Here
- Sunday, November 30 - Register Here
- Sunday, December 7 - Register Here
- Sunday, December 14 - Register Here
- Sunday, December 21 - Register Here
- Sunday, December 28 - Register Here
- Sunday, January 4 - Register Here
- Sunday, January 11 - Register Here
- Sunday, January 18 - Register Here
- Sundays, January 25 and February 1 - Virginia Beach Winter Wildlife Festival
- Sunday, February 8 - Register Here
- Sunday, February 15 - Register Here
- Sunday, February 22 - Register Here
- Sunday, March 1 - Register Here
- Sunday, March 8 - Register Here
- Sunday, March 15 - Register Here
- Sunday, March 22 - Register Here
- Sunday, March 29 - Register Here
