Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, United States

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a large protected area covering 9,200 acres of salt marshes, sandy beaches, dunes, forests, and farmland along the Atlantic Ocean and Back Bay. The refuge combines multiple landscape types into one continuous natural space that provides homes and food sources for numerous animal species.

This refuge was created in 1938 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to protect habitats for migrating and wintering waterfowl populations. The establishment was part of a broader effort to safeguard bird populations along the Atlantic coast during a time of significant environmental change.

This refuge offers visitors a chance to experience coastal ecosystems and observe wildlife in their natural settings through walking paths and interpretive signage. The different areas reveal how various species depend on each other and adapt to life along the coast.

The area is open from sunrise to sunset, and visitors should bring appropriate clothing and insect repellent since conditions vary greatly depending on the season. Wetland areas can be muddy and insect-heavy during warm months, so planning ahead helps make the visit more comfortable.

Nearly 300 bird species live here, including tundra swans and snow geese that travel from distant northern breeding grounds each winter. Alongside these migratory birds, bobcats and river otters inhabit the refuge, though they are harder to spot than the thousands of waterfowl that gather seasonally.