Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach, just south of Little City Park. The Refuge is open from dawn to dusk daily, and an entrance fee is required.
The new fee schedule is effective beginning November 1, 1999. Visitors to the Refuge will not be required to pay an entrance fee when visiting Back Bay Refuge from this date through March 31. When the fee season resumes on April 1, 2000, the fee schedule will be as follows:
| Private, Non-Commercial Vehicle | $5.00 per day |
| Hiker/Biker (immediate family/group) | $2.00 per day |
| Bud/Van (20 people or less) | $25.00 per day |
| Bus (over 20 people) | $30.00 per day |
| Annual Refuge Pass | $15.00 per season |
The Refuge will continue to honor and sell federal Golden Age and Golden Eagle Passports, as well as the popular Federal Duck Stamp. Permanently disabled individuals can obtain a federal Golden Access Passport free of charge with appropriate certification of permanent disability. All of these special passes provide for free entrance to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Changes to the Refuge's fee program are consistent with the recent Federal Demonstration Fee Program legislation, which encourages participating agencies to be innovative in their fee programs, while providing enhanced convenience and accessibility for the visiting public. Input obtained from the public during an announced public comment period was incorporated.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach, at the southern end of Sandpiper Road. For further information, please contact the Refuge at (757) 721.2412.
Office hours are: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm; and Saturday and Sunday, 9am-4pm. There is no charge for programs, however an entrance fee of $4 per vehicle is required. Entrance fees are waived by possessing Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access, Annual Refuge Passes, or a current Federal Duck Stamp.
| SEPTEMBER - Call (757) 721-2412 for Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Topic | Description |
| 4 |
6:00pm- 7:30pm |
Evening Tram Tour |
Join Outdoor Recreation Planner, Daffny Jones, for a leisurely ride around the dike trails of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Come learn more about the Refuge and see the wealth of wildlife within. (Pre-registration Required) |
| 6 |
8:00am- 3:00pm |
Labor Day Film Festival |
Come visit the Visitor Contact Station of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and enjoy different video's about wildlife and the Refuge System. Learn more about the purpose of National Wildlife Refuge System. |
| 11 |
2:00pm- 3:00pm |
America's Sea Turtles |
Have you ever wondered how many sea turtles may visit not only Virginia Beach but all coasts and coastal waters of the United States of America? Daffny Jones, Outdoor Recreation Planner, will show you all that you have been missing through a slide presentation at the Visitor Contact Station on the Refuge. (Pre-registration Required) |
| 18 |
8:30am- 1:00pm |
Fall River Renaissance Beach and Bay Cleanup |
In observance of International Coastal Cleanup Day and the Fall River Renaissance, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge will host a Beach and Bay Cleanup. Come out to help and volunteer for these very important causes. (Pre-registration Required) |
| 25 |
9:00am- noon |
Morning Bike Hike |
In celebration of National Public Lands Day, join Refuge Volunteer, Chuck Cohick, for a morning bike hike. It will take place along the east and west dike trails and will provide excellent opportunities for viewing songbirds and other wildlife active during these hours. Bring your binoculars and bicycles suitable for sandy terrain. (Pre-registration Required) |
| OCTOBER - Call (757) 721-2412 for Details | |||
| Date | Time | Topic | Description |
| 2-9 |
Refuge- Closed |
Annual Whitetail Deer/Feral Hog Hunt |
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge will be closed from October 2, 1999 to October 9, 1999. During this week, Back Bay Refuge will be holding its annual wildlife management hunt. For safety reasons the Refuge will be closed to the general public. The refuge will open again to all public on October 10, 1999. (Pre-registration Required) |
| 13 | Asheville Bridge Creek Environmental Education Center Opening Celebration |
Join Refuge staff, distinguished guests and friends for this day of Celebration. The Asheville Bridge Creek Environmental Education Center will open its doors to the general public. Visit this center and see what it has to offer you and your family in environmental education opportunities. |
|
| 16 |
9:00am- 4:00pm |
National Refuge Week Celebration |
Many different activities will be conducted throughout the day. Call Refuge for more information. |
| 17 |
1:00pm- 3:00pm |
Coastal Birding Program |
Program will take place on refuge beach. All information is not available at this time. Call Refuge for more information. |
| 23 |
8:30am- 1:00pm |
Basic Environmental Education Workshop |
Attention all educators!!! Did you know that Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the host of Outdoor Classroom Sites? Register for this workshop and learn how to merge our programs with your classroom. Only 15 positions are available. This workshop fills quickly so make your reservations as early as possible. |
| 31 |
2:00pm- 4:00pm |
The Many Uses of Native Plants with Vickie Shufer |
Vickie Shufer, a Refuge volunteer, will lead this enlightening program with her enthusiastic spirit and wealth of knowledge. You are sure to leave this program with a better knowledge of our local native plants. Vickie will take you for a short walk in this area, identify some of the native species, and teach you about how the plants have been used for food, medicine, and crafts. |
| Call (757) 721-2412 for Details | |||