Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

04/27/2026

Are you looking for a fun summer adventure? Check out the summer events taking place at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge! Registration is open now for a variety of programs this June - August.

www.fws.gov/refuge/back-bay/summer-events

04/24/2026

The first Spring Fishing Clinic of 2026 kicks off tomorrow at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge! The Tidewater Anglers will be out at the D-Pool fishing area tomorrow, teaching young anglers how to bait, cast and reel in fish in a freshwater environment. All bait and tackle are provided. This program is designed for anglers ages up to age 15.

This event is a drop-in clinic, so come on out any time from 10:00am - 1:00pm!

04/13/2026

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY CLOSURE
False Cape State Park & Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Both False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge will be closed from April 13 through noon on April 17 for aerial treatment of spongy moths. This work is part of an ongoing regional effort to protect forest health and reduce the impacts of this invasive species.

For the safety of visitors, staff, and wildlife, all public access along the West and East D**es will be restricted during this period. The West D**e will reopen at 12:00 PM on April 17, once treatment operations are complete. The Seaside, Dune, Raptor and Kuralt Trails remain open. Additionally, the wildlife refuge beach remains open for hiking, biking, surf fishing and wildlife observation.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to protect the natural resources of our coastal ecosystem.

Create your own initiative by combining existing applications with a custom site. Use this initiative to form teams around a problem and invite your community to participate.

04/09/2026

Back Bay NWR and False Cape State Park will experience a temporary closure next week, Monday, April 13 through noon on Friday, April 17, for aerial treatment of spongy moths. This work is part of an ongoing regional effort to protect forest health and reduce the impacts of invasive species.

During this time both the West and East D**e Trails of Back Bay NWR will be closed. The Seaside, Dune, Raptor and Kuralt Trails will remain open. Additionally, the wildlife refuge beach will remain open to fishing, hiking, biking and wildlife watching. The West D**e Trail will reopen at noon on Friday, April 17.

Create your own initiative by combining existing applications with a custom site. Use this initiative to form teams around a problem and invite your community to participate.

04/01/2026

The West D**e Trail opened today, April 1, for hiking and biking access through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and into False Cape State Park. The seasonal $5.00/vehicle entrance fee is also in effect. Please use the provided yellow fee envelopes at the entrance gate to the wildlife refuge to pay the fee. Alternatively, payment may be made by credit card using Recreation.gov at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/1284.

We hope you enjoy your upcoming visit to the wildlife refuge!

Buy Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Site Pass Site Pass with Recreation.gov. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful spot for nature-lovers within the city of Virginia Beach. Visitors can explore a variety of habitats, from the

03/16/2026

Back Bay NWR is hiring a seasonal maintenance position for the summer season! Please see the USAjobs announcement if you or someone you know is interested. The application period closes on March 23, 2026.

https://ow.ly/Mmlc50YuWX2.

Search and apply for federal jobs. Learn about unique hiring paths for veterans, students and graduates, individuals with a disability, and more.

02/12/2026

The trail around D Pool is back open, following a safe and successful prescribed fire operation.

02/12/2026

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge conducting prescribed burn Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Back Bay NWR uses a variety of tools to create and manage habitats for the multiple species it protects, including fire. The refuge is planning to conduct a prescribed burn, also known as a controlled burn, today, February 12, 2026. This management activity will be used to improve the habitat in a freshwater impoundment. A portion of the Refuge trail around D Pool will not be accessible beginning at the fishing platform to the west and Dune Trail to the east today and expected to reopen tomorrow afternoon.

01/23/2026

Please keep an eye on the Winter Wildlife Festival website and page for updates. Currently the following events have been impacted:

Special Guest Speaker Natalia Rojas and Keynote Speaker Joan Strassmann have rescheduled to February 20 and 21, respectively.

Saturday and Sunday trips have been cancelled due to weather conditions. Registered participants either have or will receive notification from Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation.

The Festival Kickoff event at the Princess Anne Recreation Center will still take place on Saturday from 10:00am - 3:00pm! Come out out to visit the Exhibit Hall, join one of the Walkup Workshops, children's activities and more.

01/21/2026

While walking along the Raptor Trail you may see many small songbirds flitting about and flying among the shrubs. The majority of these small birds are yellow-rumped warblers. These birds are well adapted to our temperate winters and do quite well feeding on the waxy berries of wax myrtle shrubs. During the non-breeding winter months the plumage of the yellow-rumped warbler is subdued, but look for a flash of yellow on the rump and light patches of yellow on their sides.

Photo Credit: Michelle Tugman

01/19/2026

01/18/2026

The Back Bay takes the spotlight in the winter but the beach has its own array of wildlife to see this season. You may spot common loons, red-throated loons or red-breasted mergansers (pictured here). Binoculars or a spotting scope are helpful for a beach trip as these birds may be a little ways away, bobbing in the waves or flying low over the water.

Join us for upcoming Winter Waterfowl Walks during the Virginia Beach Winter Wildlife Festival! https://www.fws.gov/refuge/back-bay/events

Photo Credit: Cindy Hamilton