Approximately 100,000 people visit Back Bay Refuge each year. They come to enjoy the unique beauty of the area, to learn about wildlife, and to participate in environmental education and wildlife-oriented recreation. Because wildlife needs to have priority on a wildlife refuge, you may encounter seasonal closures and special regulations during your visit. Check the list below to see what activities and facilities are provided for visitors.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Visitor Contact Station | Displays, brochures, and films are available. A small auditorium may be used by pre scheduled groups. |
| Foot Trails | Two boardwalks lead to the beach. The Bay Trail, Environmental Study Area, and portions of interior dikes are also open to visitors on foot. See map for distances. |
| Fishing | Surf and freshwater fishing are permitted in specific areas. A Virginia fishing license is required to fish in Back Bay. |
| Boating | No launching facilities are available. Small boats and canoes which can be hand-carried to the Bay's edge are allowed. Trailers are not permitted. |
| Bicyling | Some interior dikes are open to bicyclists, although certain areas are closed seasonally to protect wildlife. |
| Hunting/Trapping | Available by permit during designated periods. |
| Volunteer Program | Back Bay Refuge has many active volunteers. To join this dedicated group, please phone the refuge office. |
| Educational Programs | Organized school, civic, and professional groups may reserve dates for slide talks, films, and outdoor classroom activities. Public programs are regularly announced. Phone the refuge office for more information. The refuge offers to educators orientation workshops, a lesson plan outline, Library Resources and Equipment Resources. |
| Winter | Wintering waterfowl congregate on the refuge. Winter storms and cold fronts may bring increased numbers of birds to the area. Rafts and long lines of pelagic (oceanic) birds can be observed along the beach. Northern harriers are abundant as they search for food in the marsh. Deer shed their antlers and breed through February. |
| Spring | Local breeding ducks pair off and nest. Broods are visible by early May. Ospreys return in early March and begin using refuge nesting platforms. By May, white-tailed fawns appear and rare orchids and carnivorous plants bloom in the marsh and in ditches along refuge dikes. Songbird and shorebird migration peaks during this same period. |
| Summer | Ospreys are hatching, along with songbirds. Sea turtles nest at night on the beach. Ticks, chiggers, and other biting insects are abundant. Wading birds concentrate in the marsh. Blackberries provide food for songbirds and marsh hibiscus (rose mallow) blooms along marsh edges. |
| Fall | Migratory waterfowl begin moving through the area. Ospreys, swallows, and songbirds depart for their wintering grounds. Peregrine falcons hunt shorebirds along the beach and other raptors pass through as they migrate southward. Reptiles, amphibians, and insects become less active. | .
* Walking/biking trails are seasonally closed or may be re-routed, depending on wildlife use. Follow trail signs or contact the refuge for further details.
Visitor Contact Station
- Open 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays
- Open 9 am to 4 pm on weekends
- Closed Saturdays, December through March
- Closed holidays except Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day.
Outdoor facilities
- Open daily, dawn to dusk
For more information on any of those activities, phone the refuge office at (757) 721-2412. Hearing impaired visitors may call the Virginia Relay Center at 1 (800) 828-1120 TDD/ 1 (800) 828-1140 voice.