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Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,813 Google reviews · Running trail in Virginia Beach, Virginia · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Wetlands refuge that hosts thousands of migratory waterfowl, including snow geese & tundra swans.
What runners say about Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
“If you love nature and a clean Atlantic Ocean view and walk on the beach or just a walk thru a well maintained trail, this is a great place to spend an afternoon with family.”
“Overall, it’s a calm, scenic spot to reconnect with nature, especially if you want something low-key to do with your family.”
“The trails are very easy to navigate and you will see wildlife and beautiful scenery the entire way.”
“The views were beautiful and atmosphere was so peaceful.”
We walked the Beach, Raptor, and Dunes trails. The trails are clearly marked and easy to navigate. The scenery is beautiful. We arrived late in the afternoon and saw a few birds but not much wildlife. We would go back earlier in the day. We saw a cotton mouth on the trail from a distance so be careful out there .
Peaceful Spot for a Nature Walk, But Bring Bug Spray! We recently visited the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, and while we didn’t spot too much wildlife during our trip, we still really enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty of the area.
A pleasant place to just walk around and chill. $5 parking per vehicle. There are bathrooms but no toilet paper in the ladies. The views were beautiful and atmosphere was so peaceful. In Oct on a Wednesday afternoon there was only a few people around. We didn't see any wildlife.
I was planning to just hike across the refuge because my primary destination was the state park on the other side. I was quickly sidetracked by all the views and information stations. I enjoyed checking out the marsh side. There is a trail to the beach and another in the dunes.
Trail conditions & character
“If you love nature and a clean Atlantic Ocean view and walk on the beach or just a walk thru a well maintained trail, this is a great place to spend an afternoon with family.”
“The views were beautiful and atmosphere was so peaceful.”
“Parking was easy and affordable, and the entry fee is minimal (or free if you have a national park pass).”
“There are restrooms near the visitor center and a few benches along the trails, but it's a good idea to bring your own water, especially on warm days.”
“The trails are mostly flat and well-maintained, making them easy for little legs and stroller-friendly, which is a huge bonus for families.”
“Lots of very well cared for boardwalk trails, with identifying signage for plant life.”
Plan your run at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefws.gov
- Phone(757) 301-7329
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Virginia Beach
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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