About Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
Congress established the Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge on December 30, 1960, by the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929. The Service established the original acquisition boundary of 7,835 acres in 1961 and expanded the boundary to 9,503 acres in 1991. The Secretary of the Interior issued a proclamation on August 21, 1963, prohibiting waterfowl hunting on 4,621 acres of the refuge and 1,098 acres of water south and west of the refuge.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers the refuge, located on Knotts Island along the North Landing River. The refuge staff administers 8,219 acres of fee title land at Mackay Island NWR in Currituck County, North Carolina, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, and 4,383 acres of the fee title land and 3,931 acres of conservation easement land at the Currituck NWR on the Outer Banks of Currituck County, North Carolina. The marshes on the western edge of Currituck NWR are located 6 miles east of the Mackay Island Refuge headquarters across the Currituck Sound. The western marshes are ½-mile east of the boat ramp on Knotts Island Bay; the upland portion of the refuge is 2 miles east of the boat ramp. It is 100 miles and almost a 3-hour drive to the Currituck NWR around the Sound by roads.
How to Get There
The refuge headquarters is located at 316 Marsh Causeway, Knotts Island, North Carolina, 27950. The refuge office is one mile south of the Virginia state line on NC Route 615. From the north (or by road) - To get to the refuge directly by highway, follow Princess Anne Road 11 miles south of Pungo, VA (near Chesapeake, VA). From the south- take the Knotts Island Ferry (Free) from Currituck Courthouse on US Highway 168 and follow SR 615 north. The refuge office is located on SR 615 approximately 8.1 miles north.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Mackay Island 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 Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1495) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge headquarters is located at 316 Marsh Causeway, Knotts Island, North Carolina, 27950. The refuge office is one mile south of the Virginia state line on NC Route 615. From the north (or by road) - To get to the refuge directly by highway, follow Princess Anne Road 11 miles south of Pungo, VA (near Chesapeake, VA). From the south- take the Knotts Island Ferry (Free) from Currituck Courthou…
How do I contact Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 252-429-3100 or email: mackayisland@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
