1. Home
  2. National Wildlife Refuges
  3. Virginia

National Wildlife Refuges in Virginia

14 national wildlife refuges in Virginia with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Northampton County has the most (2). The darkest skies are at Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge (Bortle 3).

Top national wildlife refuges

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife RefugeNorthampton County
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife RefugeCity of Chesapeake
Nansemond National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Nansemond National Wildlife RefugeCity of Suffolk
Back Bay National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Back Bay National Wildlife RefugeCity of Virginia Beach
Chincoteague National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Chincoteague National Wildlife RefugeAccomack County
Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife RefugeFairfax County
Featherstone National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Featherstone National Wildlife RefugePrince William County
James River National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
James River National Wildlife RefugePrince George County
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife RefugePrince William County
Plum Tree Island National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Plum Tree Island National Wildlife RefugeCity of Poquoson
Presquile National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Presquile National Wildlife RefugeChesterfield County
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife RefugeRichmond County

All national wildlife refuges (14)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife RefugeNorthampton County—Cape Charles4
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife RefugeCity of Chesapeake—South Suffolk4
Nansemond National Wildlife RefugeCity of Suffolk—Suffolk5
Back Bay National Wildlife RefugeCity of Virginia Beach—Virginia Beach4
Chincoteague National Wildlife RefugeAccomack County—Chincoteague3
Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife RefugeFairfax County—Potomac Heights6
Featherstone National Wildlife RefugePrince William County—Cherry Hill7
James River National Wildlife RefugePrince George County—Hopewell4
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife RefugePrince William County—Woodbridge7
Plum Tree Island National Wildlife RefugeCity of Poquoson—Poquoson6
Presquile National Wildlife RefugeChesterfield County—Enon5
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife RefugeRichmond County—Tappahannock4
Wallops Island National Wildlife RefugeAccomack County—Wattsville3
Fisherman Island National Wildlife RefugeNorthampton County—Cape Charles4

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph national wildlife refuges

Wildlife is most active in the first and last two hours of daylight — exactly when the light is warmest.

  • Use auto-loop roads as mobile blinds; animals often tolerate vehicles more than people on foot.
  • Stay on designated routes and keep a respectful distance — if an animal changes behavior, you are too close.
  • A 400–600 mm lens (or a crop body) is the usual tool for birds.
  • Fast shutter speeds (1/2000 s+) freeze wingbeats; raise ISO rather than lose the shot.
  • Migration peaks bring the largest concentrations — see the birding calendar for this state.

Season: Spring and autumn migration are the highlights; winter brings waterfowl to many southern refuges.