Important Notices For This Site
| Notice |
|---|
| Ragged Island WMA Habitat Restoration & Coastal Resilience Project and Related ClosuresIn 2025, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources began a transformational habitat restoration and coastal resilience project at Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA). As part of the final phase of this project, critical vegetation will be planted on the dunes and near the James River shoreline. To protect the developing vegetation and ensure root establishment, the Department is restricting access to the area by closing the northern WMA parking lot on U.S. Route 17. This parking lot provides trail access to the restoration area, and its closure will help ensure the plantings are not damaged during this critical growth time. The southern WMA parking lot will remain open. The Department will review this closure in the fall and adjust if appropriate. |
Description
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ Ragged Island WMA includes 1,537 acres of open pine forest, sandy beaches, and saltwater marshes, much of which is not readily accessible. From the main parking lot, there is a short path to a beach bordering the James River. A second, longer trail passes by open stands of pine trees and intersects Cooper creek beside the old hurricane-damaged boardwalk. There, killifishes, fiddler and blue crabs, and marsh songbirds can be seen. Depending on the season, the river shoreline can provide views of gulls, bald eagle, terns, loons, and waterfowl including all three species of scoters. During migration, the pine trees near the parking lot are likely to produce any of the more than 30 species of warblers known to inhabit the WMA, as well as orioles, tanagers and other songbirds. Despite its saltiness, a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians are denizens of this site, including northern diamondback terrapin and eastern mud turtle. The Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is occasionally seen in the James River, which visitors can watch for as they scan from the platform for dolphins and other marine life.
Notes:
- To Access the Site: A Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
- This site may be closed during certain times of year for hunting or land management. See seasonal access information on the Ragged Island WMA website.
- If you are visiting this site during hunting seasons, please wear blaze orange/pink for safety.
Wildlife Sightings
172 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area:
- Mourning Dove
- Clapper Rail
- Royal Tern
- Great Blue Heron
- Osprey
- Northern Flicker
- Eastern Wood-Pewee
- Fish Crow
- Barn Swallow
- American Robin
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 22 May 2026 | 9 | Jason Strickland |
| 16 May 2026 | 7 | Bryce Wages |
| 13 May 2026 | 11 | Jason Strickland |
| 1 May 2026 | 2 | Lisa Fannin |
| 30 Apr 2026 | 30 | Aylett Lipford |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
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 I-64 in Newport News, take Exit #263 for US 258/Mercury Boulevard South. Follow this road to its intersection with US 17 South, then follow US 17/US 258 across the James River Bridge. After crossing the bridge, take the first exit to the left and enter the parking lot of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Daily. Restore the Wild Membership, hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
Contact Information:
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Region 1 Office: 804-829-6580, Contact Us
- 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.