Traveler Overview

4.5 317 reviews

Excellent70%
Very good23%
Average5%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

Travelers talk about

“false cape state park”(18 reviews)

“visitor center”(19 reviews)

“tram tour”(7 reviews)

About

This Virginia Beach wildlife refuge offers visitors hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking/canoeing and nature photography in a completely natural environment. The Refuge grounds are open sunrise to sunset daily. The Visitor Center hours of operation are...more

Closed Now

Hours Today: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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Suggested duration: 2-3 hours

Contact

4005 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456-4347

Website

+1 757-301-7329

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Reviews (317)

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1 - 10 of 312 reviews

Linda R

4

Reviewed today

Virginia Beach's Best Kept Secret

If you are a nature lover don't miss visiting the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Experience Virginia's shore line and wetlands in their natural state. Highly recommend the tram tours. Bird watcher's delight as well.

Date of experience: May 2018

Thank Linda R

Vermontraveler18

51

Reviewed 1 week ago

Very good tour

I went on a tour of the Back Bay which not only included wildlife but also the ruins, mostly a graveyard, of an old settlement. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable on the subject and amusing, as well. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, although it was a...More

Date of experience: November 2018

Thank Vermontraveler18

Hi Vermonttraveler18, Thank you for your review. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed the tram through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and to False Cape State Park. We hope you can visit again! Sincerely, Back Bay NWR Staff

Chrisjazz

Washington DC, District of Columbia

15380

Reviewed October 28, 2018

Quiet nature hikes, bird watching, whispering cattails

Leave the VB bustle behind and take the longish drive to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. There are also some other parks along the way. Give yourself time to explore those, too. I always love the variety of the watery landscape that lies behind...More

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank Chrisjazz

Hi Chrisjazz, Thank you for your review of Back Bay NWR. We are so glad you enjoyed the refuge. The other visitor area you may have noticed on the west side of Back Bay is a kayak/canoe launch on Horn Point Road. This site is...More

conniegum

Sierra Vista, Arizona

301161

Reviewed October 13, 2018

An all-natural experience

You don't need to be a hunter or fishermen to enjoy this little piece of heaven. Absolutely no dogs are allowed in this park, not even in the cars. I waited until the morning of TS Michael's arrival to hike through this refuge to False...More

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank conniegum

Hi conniegum, Thank you for this detailed review of the wildlife refuge. We are glad you had a good hike to and from False Cape State Park. It certainly is an interesting and serene landscape. We also find that we see a lot of wildlife...More

Marilyndec2016

Santa Maria, California

212

Reviewed October 3, 2018

peaceful hiking area

We went to try to see some local birds but they must have been hiding that day. Makes for a nice senic hike.More

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank Marilyndec2016

Hi Marilyndec2016, We are so sorry to hear that your search for local birds was not a fruitful one. We recommend a winter hike when ducks, geese and swans are visiting the refuge on their winter migration. December and January are the peak seasons for...More

2FOODY2017

Virginia Beach, Virginia

215

Reviewed October 2, 2018

At Last...

Quiet, peaceful, beautiful, reflecting its stand-out advanced ecological state of being! Wonderful paths and not crowded.

Date of experience: August 2018

Thank 2FOODY2017

Hi 2FOODY2017, Thank you for your review! Come back and enjoy the trails and the wildlife anytime. Winter is a great time to see wintering waterfowl, especial December and January. Sincerely, Back Bay NWR Staff

VirginiaKayak

Norfolk, Virginia

854240

Reviewed September 9, 2018 via mobile

Storm Coming

The clouds did the heavy lifting. The beach this day is surf high and breezy. You can hear the ocean all day. There is the occasional blue heron, Great egret, Osprey, and many butterflies. We spot one black snake and two water moccasins. It is...More

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank VirginiaKayak

Hi Robert B, It is impressive when storms are coming. You can really see the changes happening before your eyes! It sounds like you had an excellent tram tour. Come visit again soon! Sincerely, Back Bay NWR Staff

kaspiolea

Jacksonville, Florida

71

Reviewed September 3, 2018

Epic views for miles

If you're looking for something to do that is off the beaten path look no further. Back Bay has beautiful boardwalk ramps that take you into the marsh on the water around the park. Views that can't be matched in the Virginia Beach area.

Date of experience: August 2018

Thank kaspiolea

Dear kaspiolea, Thank you for your review. We so glad you enjoyed the views on the refuge. Come back and visit again! Sunsets during the winter months are another beautiful time to visit. Sincerely, Back Bay NWR Staff

mtabino

Wilmington, Delaware

93

Reviewed August 27, 2018

Nature Lovers

Be prepared to walk or bike. It's beautiful and clean. You have the ocean on one side and the bay on the other. There is a shuttle that leaves once a day in the morning that will take you further down the Refuge. We discovered...More

Date of experience: June 2018

Thank mtabino

Dear mtabino, It is great to hear that you enjoyed your visit enough to come back to the refuge multiple times. We hope you will continue to visit. As you have seen, there are new things to see with each season. Enjoy the coming of...More

Fabs42

126

Reviewed August 15, 2018

Beautiful and quiet

If you want to escape the crowdy city you definately have to go here. Beautiful, peaceful place. We saw a couple of snakes. Birds, Lots of Dragon Flies, Frogs etc.

Date of experience: August 2018

Thank Fabs42

Hi Fabs42, Thank you for the review of Back Bay NWR. We are certainly happy to provide an escape from the city, for both our wildlife and our people! We hope you can visit again. Sincerely, Back Bay NWR Staff

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Questions & Answers

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See all 5 questions

Jihong W

I am thinking to go to Virginia beach this weekend. Any birds there?

November 2, 2018|

AnswerShow all 3 answers

Not sure what birds are there this time of year. I don't live in the area, but try to get there when I'm visiting.

Te'ara M

Has anyone ever been bitten or had a close encounter with any of the snakes? Do the snakes try to stay away from people? Are snakes usually on the trail; I seen a picture is a snake of the boardwalk.

July 2, 2017|

AnswerShow all 3 answers

Yes. There are snakes at the refuge. I did not see them, thankfully. Check with the naturalists at the visitor's center so you are informed and know what to look out for. There are seemingly an infinite number of snake... More