Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
Site Information
- Seasons: All
- Site Contact: (703) 806-0049
- Site Access: See description
- Visit Website
Facilities
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Site CMN05: Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, Army Garrison Fort Belvoir
Description
The 1,200-acre Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge offers well-maintained trails through deciduous forests that descend to the bay below. An informational kiosk adjacent to the parking lot offers trail maps, a bird list and a guide to facilitated programs. Visitors can also contact the Environmental Education Center for a list of programs. The site's forest attracts many interesting spring and fall migrants. Accotink Bay also attracts a variety of shorebirds, waterfowl and offers a hunting ground for nesting ospreys. The refuge is open daily from dawn to dusk. The Environmental Education Center ((703) 805-3972) is open seasonally. A government identification or a daily visitor's pass is required to access the installation. A valid picture ID must be presented at the Visitors Center to get a daily visitor's pass. Please note that security levels may change at any time and can affect installation access.
Directions
From Huntley Meadows Park, return to the intersection of Lockheed Boulevard and US 1; turn right onto US 1 South. During the week, enter the installation through the Tulley Gate: Follow US 1 South for 5.8 miles and turn left on Pohick Road, across from Backlick Road. There is a large Fort Belvoir sign at the intersection of US 1 and Pohick Road. Travel 0.4 miles and turn right into the parking area. During weekends, enter the installation through the Pence Gate: Follow US 1 South approximately 5.0 miles and turn left onto Belvoir Road. Proceed to 12th Street and make a right. Continue on 12th Street through the traffic light to Pohick Road. Proceed on Pohick Road to the refuge main entrance on the left. To visit the Environmental Education Center: From the refuge main entrance, turn right out of the parking lot on Pohick Road. At the first traffic light, make a right onto Theote Road. Drive 0.6 miles and turn right on Warren Road. Proceed down the hill and make the first right onto Swift Road and then take the nest right onto Little Road. The Environmental Education Center is ahead on the right, building #780.
Loop Map
