3 Wildlife Sanctuaries to Explore in Virginia

The Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located along the Potomac River in Virginia, at the point where it meets Neabsco Creek. The refuge covers wetlands and woodlands, and has a railroad right-of-way bordering its western edge. It is currently closed to the public, but has been considered as a possible portion of the route for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.

This is a national wildlife refuge located where the Occoquan River meets the Potomac River in Woodbridge. This is an ecological treasure of natural habitats that are rare or nearly extinct in Northern Virginia. Visit this unique place to experience tidal shorelines, marshes, meadows, woods and all of the creatures that dwell on the banks of the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers.

One of four refuges that comprise the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Established to protect habitat for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds, Presquile is an important component in the network of refuges on and around the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The refuge is primarily hardwood swamp, with a fringe of marsh and 300 acres of upland fields.