Description
The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is open year round. A one-mile wildlife drive and over three miles of hiking trails provide access to grasslands, tidal marshes and the river’s edge. The refuge is one of the largest open areas remaining in northern Virginia. Over 650 species of plants and 200 species of birds have been observed on the site. The site has one of the largest stands of eastern gamma grass in the state. Waterfowl, deer, red fox and raptors are abundant and can easily be observed from the trails. The Visitor Contact Station is open on weekends. The station hosts a display of the winners of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp program for the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as an assortment of mounted raptors and songbirds.
Wildlife Sightings
260 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge:
- Canada Goose
- Mallard
- Lesser Scaup
- Bufflehead
- American Coot
- Ring-billed Gull
- American Herring Gull
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Great Blue Heron
- Black Vulture
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Mar 2026 | 42 | Christian McGuirk |
| 2 Mar 2026 | 31 | Jim Pearson |
| 2 Mar 2026 | 44 | Tommy Nagy |
| 2 Mar 2026 | 24 | Ron Vogel |
| 1 Mar 2026 | 13 | Ilene West |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
Other Amenities: Hiking Trails
Accessibility Considerations
This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
From the Town of Occoquan, return to Gordon Boulevard/SR 123 and turn right. Travel 1.5 miles and turn right onto Jefferson Davis Highway/US 1 South. Get into the left lane and prepare to turn left at the next light. At the traffic light, turn onto Dawson Beach Road. Proceed to the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge entrance gate.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Thursday- Sunday 7am-7pm, Fee
Contact Information:
- (703) 490-4979 greg_weiler@fws.gov
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.