About Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 to conserve and protect fish and wildlife resources, including endangered and threatened species and wetlands. Refuge habitats include freshwater tidal marsh, forested swamp, upland deciduous forest, mixed pine forest, and managed grasslands. The refuge is composed of multiple pieces of land and water spanning Essex, King George, Caroline, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties. Our goal is to protect 20,000 acres of important wildlife habitats along the Rappahannock River and its major tributaries. Our partners and volunteers help us manage the refuge’s lands and waters for wildlife and visitors. As the refuge continues to grow and change over time, so will the opportunities for you to enjoy the refuge!In 2007, areas of the refuge were designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The National Audubon Society designates these areas based on criteria such as population, high concentration in a limited area, or other factors. The IBA designation coincides with areas of high bald eagle concentration.
How to Get There
Wilna Unit/Administrative Office336 Wilna RoadWarsaw, Virginia 22572804-333-1470 Ext. 111 Directions: Turn north on Newland Road (Route 624) from US-360. Proceed for 4.2 miles and turn left onto Strangeway Road (Route 636), proceed for 0.25 miles. Turn right onto Sandy Lane (Route 640) and continue for 1.1 miles. Turn left into the refuge. Hutchinson Unit19180 Tidewater TrailTappahannock, Virginia 22560 Directions: Refuge unit is located 1.5 miles north of Tappahannock on US-17 (south-bound).Laurel Grove Unit736 Laurel Grove RoadFarnham, Virginia 22460 Directions: Turn south onto Farnham Creek Road (Route 608) from VA-3 and proceed 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Hales Point Road (Route 647) and continue for 2.4 miles. Turn right onto Laurel Grove Road (Route 610). Parking for the pond and nature trail will be on your right.Port Royal UnitCaroline StreetPort Royal, Virginia 22535 Directions: Take US-360 West (toward Tappahannock). Turn right onto US-17 North and proceed to US-301 (about 25 miles). Turn right onto US-301 North. Proceed to Caroline Street (about 0.7 miles). Turn right onto Caroline Street. Road ends at refuge.Welford Unit241Coates LaneWarsaw, VA 22572 Directions: From Tappahannock (Route US-17) turn right onto US-360 north. Proceed 2.8 miles and refuge will be on the left. Cat Point Creek Unit (opening date TBD 2022)2570 Newland RoadWarsaw, VA 22572 Directions: Turn north on Newland Road (Route 624) from US-360. Proceed for 2.1 miles and turn right into the refuge.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1577) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge?
Wilna Unit/Administrative Office336 Wilna RoadWarsaw, Virginia 22572804-333-1470 Ext. 111 Directions: Turn north on Newland Road (Route 624) from US-360. Proceed for 4.2 miles and turn left onto Strangeway Road (Route 636), proceed for 0.25 miles. Turn right onto Sandy Lane (Route 640) and continue for 1.1 miles. Turn left into the refuge. Hutchinson Unit19180 Tidewater TrailTappahannock, Virginia…
How do I contact Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: (804) 333-1470 or email: fw5rw_evrnwr@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
