Visit Us
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. You can marvel a the spectacle of migration while enjoying our trails or experience the area by water via the Wise Point Boat Ramp. From hiking and biking to fishing and hunting, there's something for everyone at the tip of the Eastern Shore!
Location and Contact Information
Our Visitor Center is now open from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Stop in to enjoy an indoor wildlife observation deck and over 12 interactive exhibits.
About Us
Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge serves as one of the country's most valuable stopovers for migratory birds and insects. Established in 1984, we are a haven for monarch butterflies, birds of prey and songbirds as they rest and refuel along their arduous journeys. With woodlands, shrublands, grasslands, saltmarsh, beach, and both fresh and brackish ponds it's no wonder that we host 34 mammal species and over 400 species of birds can be found in our area.
Tours
Guided tours of Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge are a way to experience an otherwise inaccessible part of our refuge complex. Tours are offered every Saturday from October through February. Be sure to pre-register so you can enjoy a fall or winter tour. Reservations are accepted starting September 1st. Call 757-331-2760 or 757-331-3425. Leave a detailed message that includes: your name, the date you want to reserve, the number of people in your party, and your telephone number.
What We Do
Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.