Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

About Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in June 1998 to provide habitat for migratory birds and endangered species. The refuge's diverse grassland, marsh and forest habitats attract a variety songbirds, raptors and waterfowl that depend on the area for food, nesting sites, and a place to rest. Visitors share this feeling of respite as they explore the refuge trails and observe the abundance of wildlife drawn to this one-square mile refuge; a sanctuary in an urban setting.

How to Get There

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located on the east side of Woodbridge in Prince William County, Virginia, at the junction of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers. From Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway) in Woodbridge, proceed east on Dawson Beach Road ¾ miles to the refuge entrance gate at the end of the road.

Plan Your Visit to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Heading to Occoquan Bay 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

References & Official Resources

• Official Recreation.gov page
• View on OpenStreetMap
• Driving directions (Google Maps)