Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge, in Bertie County, North Carolina, is named for the Roanoke River, which runs through the refuge. The refuge was established in 1991 to protect the forests in the Roanoke River floodplain, considered to be the largest intact, and least disturbed, bottomland forest ecosystem remaining in the mid-Atlantic region. The area supports the highest density of nesting birds, especially songbirds, anywhere in North Carolina, including rare species such as Swainson’s warbler, cerulean warbler, and Kentucky warbler. Wintering and migrant waterfowl make extensive use of the refuge’s wetlands, including wood duck, mallard, and wigeon.

Visit Us

Roanoke River NWR is made up of various tracts of land - some of which are accessible only by boat via the Roanoke River (Great & Goodman Islands, Broadneck Swamp, Hampton Swamp, and Company Swamp). Depending on the season, location, and river water levels, the bottomland hardwood forests may be dry or inundated in several feet of water. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing and photography, hiking, hunting, fishing, and boating.

Location and Contact Information

      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.

      Our Species