Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge at Potomac and Occoquan Rivers confluence, Prince William County, Virginia.
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a federally protected area in Prince William County, Virginia, located where the Occoquan River meets the Potomac River. It covers a mix of wetlands, forests, and grasslands that support a wide range of wildlife, including over 200 bird species.
The land served as a research site for the U.S. Army's Harry Diamond Laboratories from the 1960s through the 1990s. After military use ended, the site was officially established as a national wildlife refuge in 1998.
The visitor center displays artwork from the Federal Junior Duck Stamp program, a national competition where students create illustrations of waterfowl. Alongside these pieces, mounted raptors and songbirds give a sense of the bird life found across this part of Virginia.
The refuge has several loop trails and a wildlife drive that pass through different habitats, making it easy to explore at your own pace. Visiting in the early morning generally gives better chances of spotting waterfowl, deer, and raptors.
The refuge contains one of the largest stands of eastern gamagrass in Virginia, a native plant that has become rare in the wild. These grassy patches give certain open areas a noticeably different look compared to the surrounding landscape.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
