Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: Caroline and hiked in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Friday, June 26, 2026

Caroline and hiked in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Friday, June 26, 2026: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 www.fws.gov/refuge/back-bay

Caroline and hiked in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Located in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, its primary mission is to protect and provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl.

The refuge encompasses a diverse array of habitats—including beachfront, freshwater marsh, dunes, shrub-scrub, and upland forest—which support hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish. To maintain these ecosystems, staff manage a freshwater impoundment complex that provides essential feeding and resting areas for waterfowl during the winter, while serving as habitat for shorebirds and wading birds during other seasons.

For visitors, the refuge grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The area offers a variety of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, biking, wildlife observation, photography, and both surf and freshwater fishing. Additionally, the refuge collaborates with the adjacent False Cape State Park to offer tram tours that explore the natural history of the area and the site of the historic Wash Woods community.