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.
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.
Location & Directions
View on Google MapsSite Information
- Site Contact: (703) 490-4979 greg_weiler@fws.gov
- Website
- Access: Thursday- Sunday 7am-7pm, Fee
Birds Recently Seen at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge (as reported to eBird)
- Ring-billed Gull
- Double-crested Cormorant
- Great Blue Heron
- Black Vulture
- Turkey Vulture
- Red-shouldered Hawk
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Northern Flicker
Seasonal Bird Observations
Facilities
- Environmental Study Area
- Fee
- Accessible
- Hiking Trails
- Information
- Parking
- Restrooms