A lovely refuge for hiking, kayaking, fishing, etc. It is well-kept with clean restrooms. There is... read more
my only experience with the refuge was while eating at Blue Petes, wish I had a boat or more time... read more
Updating Map... About Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
1 - 10 of 294 reviews
A lovely refuge for hiking, kayaking, fishing, etc. It is well-kept with clean restrooms. There is a pier for fishing, a ramp to launch canoes and kayaks and lovely scenery. Many people came to the refuge to watch the sunset over the lake.
my only experience with the refuge was while eating at Blue Petes, wish I had a boat or more time to explore more of the refuge. From what I was able to explore around the restaurant, it was serene and magical.
We were able to sneak in here as a family in August of 2017 and it was stunning. My 4 kids loved running back and forth on the trails and we all blew bubbles and watched in awe at the beauty as the sun set....More
Hi Shannonmathews, Thank you for your review of Back Bay NWR. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the sunsets on the bay. They are lovely! Please note that from April 1 - October 31 a $5.00 entrance fee per vehicle does apply between...More
Like going back in time a thousand years. Nothing but huge Dunes, great walking trails thru tamed-untamed wilderness. A real treat, away from humanity for just a bit. The adjacent Little Islan City Park has a great beach along with facilities as well as a...More
Hi Thomas B, We are so glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to the wildlife refuge. This space for wildlife also does provide a wonderful retreat for humans! We hope you can visit again soon. Sincerely, Back Bay NWR Staff
We just cycled in a did a few of the short hikes around the visitor centre. It is just a nice, secluded spot. We saw some turtles all over the place as well as a water snake. Beautiful for a short half-day break from the...More
Hi MTLcyclebuff, It is great to hear that you enjoyed the trails near the Visitor Center. We are happy to provide a quiet, peaceful place here in the city. Sincerely, Back Bay NWR
After seeing all the great reviews we thought it’d be a fun place to hike for a few hours, to enjoy the nature and wildlife. It turned out that the main hiking trail is a very boring flat and large gravel path (large enough for...More
Hi Olivier D, We are sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your hike. As a national wildlife refuge we were created to protect and provide habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. The area you hiked through is a series of water pools...More
When my GPS was leading me to this refuge, I literally thought it was going to take me right into the water. This park sits on a narrow strip of land between the Atlantic and Back Bay. It was cold and windy when I visited...More
Hi Jehenson81, It does feel like we are at the end of the world down here! We are glad you enjoyed your adventure. Come back soon! ~Back Bay NWR Staff
Went today and took the tour! What a hidden gem in VA Beach. I wasn't sure what it really entailed since there wasn't a ton of info on the website. We showed up a little before 9, paid & got on. There are no reservations....More
Hi tygriss74, We are so glad you enjoyed the tram tour through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park! Herb is definitely a great guide and knows so much about the area. We hope you can visit again soon. ~Erica
This is a very relaxing beach. Please note: NO SWIMMING IS ALLOWED at the refuge! This is strictly for walking, wading, nature loving activities. Fishing is allowed and we have caught some good sized fish there. No music. Only to enjoy the sounds of nature!
Hi MargaretR8, Thank you so much for this review and for spreading the word about this special place. We hope you will return again soon! ~Erica
Great little walk along the boardwalk to a nice beach. The beach is very clean and away from all the crowds of VA Beach. The drive down to the park is also very nice!More
Hi Kyle O, It is great to hear that you enjoyed the beach at the wildlife refuge. It is certainly a change of pace from the oceanfront area of Virginia Beach! We hope you can visit again soon for some hiking, biking, fishing or wildlife...More
