English colonists first landed here in April 1607, erected a wooden cross and
gave thanks for a successful crossing to a new land. In 1781, Americans could
watch from these same sand dunes the largest naval battle of the Revolutionary
War. Our French Allies defeated a British fleet just off this shore to set the
stage for General George Washington's victory at Yorktown.

English colonists first landed here in April 1607, erected a wooden cross and gave thanks for a successful crossing to a new land. In 1781, Americans could watch from these same sand dunes the largest naval battle of the Revolutionary War. Our French Allies defeated a British fleet just off this shore to set the stage for General George Washington's victory at Yorktown.

Bird's eye view of the park

Cape Henry Memorial Part of Colonial National Historical Park

Bird's eye view of the campground

A - Read Loop - (103-136)

B - Collier Loop - (66-99, 101, 102)

Cabins

C - Wingfield Loop - (137-149, 151-154)

D - Percy Loop - (155-165)

E - Gosnold Loop Group - (44-65)

F - Gosnold Loop - (32-43)

G - Archer Loop - (166-186, 188-205)

H - Kendall Loop - (1-5, 7-31)

Shelter

Yurts

First Landing State Park

The Virginia barrier island chain, including Fisherman Island National
Wildlife Refuge, is one of only 17 sites in the United States classified as a
“Wetland of International Importance.” This refuge is located on the
southernmost barrier island, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, and is
separated from the Eastern Shore of Virginia by about one-half mile of water.
Fisherman Island Refuge is designated at an Important Bird Area and is
constantly growing. In the late 1800’s it was only 25 acres, while today it
spans nearly 2,000 acres!

Because of the critical nature of its habitats for wildlife, Fisherman Island
is closed to the public. However, guided tours are offered on Saturdays from
October - February (pre-registration required).

The Virginia barrier island chain, including Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge, is one of only 17 sites in the United States classified as a “Wetland of International Importance.” This refuge is located on the southernmost barrier island, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, and is separated from the Eastern Shore of Virginia by about one-half mile of water. Fisherman Island Refuge is designated at an Important Bird Area and is constantly growing. In the late 1800’s it was only 25 acres, while today it spans nearly 2,000 acres!Because of the critical nature of its habitats for wildlife, Fisherman Island is closed to the public. However, <a href="https://fws.gov/refuge/fisherman-island/visit-us/tours" rel="nofollow">guided tours</a> are offered on Saturdays from October - February (pre-registration required).

Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge

Lying at the tip of the Delmarva Peninsula, the Eastern Shore of Virginia
National Wildlife Refuge serves as one of the country's most valuable
stopovers for migratory birds. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and
Chesapeake Bay, this 1,127-acre refuge was established in 1984 for migratory
birds and endangered species management and for wildlife-dependent recreation
including interpretation and education. This area is one of the most important
avian migration funnels in North America. Each fall, like colorful clockwork,
the refuge is the scene of a spectacular drama as millions of songbirds and
monarch butterflies and thousands of raptors converge at the tip of the
peninsula on their voyage south.

Lying at the tip of the Delmarva Peninsula, the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge serves as one of the country's most valuable stopovers for migratory birds.  Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, this 1,127-acre refuge was established in 1984 for migratory birds and endangered species management and for wildlife-dependent recreation including interpretation and education. 



This area is one of the most important avian migration funnels in North America.  Each fall, like colorful clockwork, the refuge is the scene of a spectacular drama as millions of songbirds and monarch butterflies and thousands of raptors converge at the tip of the peninsula on their voyage south.

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

Bunkhouse and Deluxe Yurt

Cabins and Lodges

Campground A

Campground B

Campground C

Campground D

Campground E

Campground F

Campground G

Hunts

Shelters

Standard Yurts

Kiptopeke State Park

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians
occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first
enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escaping slavery sought their freedom
at the fort during the Civil War. The fort remained bastion of national
defense until 2011, when it became a national park.

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escaping slavery sought their freedom at the fort during the Civil War. The fort remained bastion of national defense until 2011, when it became a national park.

Fort Monroe National Monument

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to protect and
provide habitat for migratory and wintering waterfowl, or ducks, geese and
swans. The refuge encompasses a variety of habitats including beach, dunes,
shrub-scrub, freshwater wetlands and woodlands. The primary unit of the
wildlife refuge sits a thin strip of barrier island coastline typical of the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Other areas of the refuge include islands in Back
Bay and upland areas on the west bank of the bay, including a public kayak
launch and fishing site at the end of Horn Point Road (open April - October).

Thousands of tundra swans, snow and Canada geese and a large variety of ducks
visit the refuge during the fall/winter migration. Refuge waterfowl
populations usually peak during December and January. The refuge also provides
habitat for other wildlife, including such threatened and endangered species
as the loggerhead sea turtle, and recently recovered species like the brown
pelican and bald eagle.

In addition to providing habitat for migratory birds and wildlife, Back Bay
Refuge provides over eight miles of scenic trails, a Visitor Center,
interpretive programming and, with advance scheduling, environmental education
opportunities. Popular outdoor recreation activities at the refuge include
hiking, biking, freshwater fishing, surf fishing, kayaking/canoeing, wildlife
photography and wildlife observation.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to protect and provide habitat for migratory and wintering waterfowl, or ducks, geese and swans. The refuge encompasses a variety of habitats including beach, dunes, shrub-scrub, freshwater wetlands and woodlands. The primary unit of the wildlife refuge sits a thin strip of barrier island coastline typical of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Other areas of the refuge include islands in Back Bay and upland areas on the west bank of the bay, including a public kayak launch and fishing site at the end of Horn Point Road (open April - October).Thousands of tundra swans, snow and Canada geese and a large variety of ducks visit the refuge during the fall/winter migration. Refuge waterfowl populations usually peak during December and January. The refuge also provides habitat for other wildlife, including such threatened and endangered species as the loggerhead sea turtle, and recently recovered species like the brown pelican and bald eagle.In addition to providing habitat for migratory birds and wildlife, Back Bay Refuge provides over eight miles of scenic trails, a Visitor Center, interpretive programming and, with advance scheduling, environmental education opportunities. Popular outdoor recreation activities at the refuge include hiking, biking, freshwater fishing, surf fishing, kayaking/canoeing, wildlife photography and wildlife observation.

Cape Henry Memorial Part of Colonial National Historical Park

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

First Landing State Park

Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

Kiptopeke State Park

Fort Monroe National Monument

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge