Virginia Beach, VA: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Sea turtles, white-tailed dear, and snow geese are just a few of the diverse wildlife species you might spot on this 7.6-mile coastal hike.
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Covering 9,000 acres on and around a thin strip of coastline in the southeast corner of Virginia, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge plays host both to diverse wildlife species and habitats. This 7.7-miler near Virginia Beach ambles through beach, sand dunes, woodlands, farm fields, and marshland. Numerous wildlife species can be spotted here, including water fowl (snow geese and blue herons), endangered/threatened species (loggerhead sea turtles and piping plovers), a diverse mix of reptiles and amphibians (frogs and snakes galore), and more standard mammals (white-tailed deer, foxes, and rabbits).
Starting from the Visitor Contact Station, this hike loops counter-clockwise on fairly level, coastal terrain (and offers a few opportunities to shorten the trip). Along the way, a handful of wildlife viewing areas and platforms offer an opportunity to enjoy the tranquility of the refuge and observe its inhabitants.
-Mapped by Ivan Levin







Trail Facts
- Distance: 12.2
Waypoints
BBR001
Location: 36.6724396, -75.9160461
Start your hike at the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Station and follow the signs towards the Dike Trails.
BBR002
Location: 36.6697884, -75.9142303
Go left @ Y-junction.
BBR003
Location: 36.6650276, -75.9114075
Go left @ Y-junction, following the hike and bike signs.
BBR004
Location: 36.6618309, -75.9103622
Go right at the gate into the wildlife viewing area. Take a few minutes to observe all of the different types of water fowl in this area. Turn around and head back the way you came. Turn left at the gate, heading back towards the visitor station.
BBR005
Location: 36.664444, -75.9116364
Just before Waypoint 3, turn left @ the U-turn toward the refuge maintenance building, heading the opposite direction of the hike/bike signs.
BBR006
Location: 36.6637611, -75.9126434
Go right at the dumpster, continuing straight onto the West Dike Trail.
BBR007
Location: 36.6491127, -75.912384
Take a break and check out the great bird watching between the dikes on the left.
BBR008
Location: 36.6460075, -75.9124069
Go straight @ 4-way intersection. To the left is a second dike crossing; to the right is an access road into the forest.
BBR009
Location: 36.6396294, -75.9106674
Go straight into the forest, following the arrow for hiking and biking. The third dike crossing shoots off to the left.
BBR010
Location: 36.630703, -75.9042664
Going left @ Y-junction and walk along the border of False Cape State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Continue following the gravel road.
BBR011
Location: 36.6306992, -75.8996429
Go right at the second False Cape State Park sign and follow the road; you will enter the state park.
BBR012
Location: 36.6297607, -75.8995285
Take advantage of the wildlife viewing platform on the left to take a break and enjoy the wildlife. When you’re rested, turn around and walk back up the gravel road and exit the state park, making a right at Waypoint 11.
BBR013
Location: 36.6308136, -75.8992081
Go right @ Y-junction, heading back into Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge on the East Dike Trail (a gravel road).
BBR014
Location: 36.6488609, -75.9054565
Follow the road as it curves to the right; this is another great spot to stop for a snack.
BBR015
Location: 36.6617584, -75.9100113
Continue past the gate and see the wildlife viewing station that you already visited on the left.
BBR016
Location: 36.6724815, -75.9160461
The hike ends at the National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Station. During the summer, grab your bathing suit and head for the beach.
Visitor Contact Station
Location: 36.672493, -75.9161682
Dike View
Location: 36.6492119, -75.9125137
Dike Crossing
Location: 36.6459427, -75.9124298
Junction
Location: 36.6306801, -75.9044113
Wildlife Viewing Platform
Location: 36.6299019, -75.8995895
Wildlife Area View
Location: 36.6298861, -75.8995253
Grasslands
Location: 36.6618271, -75.9099426