The coastal landscape of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge has a range of habitats from beaches and dunes to wetlands and upland forests. With mild spring temperatures and the Atlantic breeze on the Virginia shoreline, I explored the refuge and its energetic activity in April.
Sunset Point Loop
I started on the accessible 0.25-mile Sunset Point Loop behind the visitor center. This boardwalk-heavy path winds through freshwater marshes and shrubbery, leading visitors directly to the shores of Back Bay. Red-winged blackbirds clung to the marsh’s cattails while turtles basked on nearby rocks, soaking in the sun.
Raptor Trail
Visitors can access the Raptor Trail across from E Pool or from the connector trail on Sunset Point Loop. This easy 0.4-mile route is a mix of boardwalks and gravel paths through maritime forests and swampy lowlands.
I watched an osprey fly above carrying a fish half its size! Throughout the walk, the surrounding canopy came alive with a chorus of common yellowthroats, fish crows, northern cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, and Savannah sparrows.
During my spring visit, new blooms were beginning to appear along the trail, including blue-eyed grass and blackberry flowers.
Seaside Trail
One of only two routes connecting the bay to the Atlantic Ocean, this easy quarter-mile trek follows a blue mat path over the sand. Vegetation is sparse, shaped by the wind and waves.
As waves crashed rhythmically along the shore, brown pelicans, laughing gulls, and terns skimmed the water. In the sand, I also spotted my first Atlantic ghost crab.
Dune Trail
Dune Trail is the second quarter-mile boardwalk to the refuge beach. Halfway along the trail, a viewing platform offered clear views of the ocean to the east and freshwater bay to the west. After the platform, it was a short walk down the stairs and over sand dunes.
As I walked along the beach, I spotted brown pelicans, double-crested cormorants, and ring-billed gulls.
Kuralt Trail
Part of a trail network spanning 11 national wildlife refuges across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, this trail honors radio and TV host Charles Kuralt. The 0.1-mile boardwalk leads to a viewing platform with a prime view of a quiet Back Bay cove.
Carolina wrens called from the trees along the boardwalk, while an osprey perched on the platform overlooking the open water.
Longer Hiking Options
For a longer outing, the East and West Dike trails connect Back Bay to False Cape State Park. To minimize disturbance to wintering waterfowl, these trails are closed from November through March.
I found Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to be visitor-friendly and easy to navigate. The trails are well-marked and there are several options for all ages and skill sets.