Community Corner
Viewfinder: Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
A square mile tract of land sandwiched between the shoreline of the Potomac River and the Osprey's Golf Club at Belmont Bay offers sanctuary to local wildlife.
At the end of Dawson Beach Road in Woodbridge lies an area rich in natural history. The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge boasts 642 acres of grasslands and marshes. Open fields and lush greenery are home to many species of fauna and flora, including bald eagles, red foxes, pileated woodpeckers, Queen Anne’s lace, and wild orchids.
Few activities are permitted along the four miles of pedestrian trails. Hiking and photography are encouraged, while jogging, hunting, dog walking, and recreational activities such as kite flying and picnicking are strictly prohibited. Restrictions are enforced to safeguard the refuge’s natural resources.
The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The refuge is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April to September and until 5 p.m. from October to March. Entry fees are $2 per vehicle or $1 per person. For more information, call the Visitor Contact Station at (703) 491-6869.
