Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge

Enjoy the view at this refuge located just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

Stop by the visitor center to become acquainted with the local habitats and learn about the wildlife here. As you venture the hiking trails, you may see creatures such as white-tailed deer, foxes, raccoons, rabbits, and bats. The most common trees in this refuge are loblolly pine, but oak, cherry, maple, poplar, and holly trees are scattered throughout the region. Be sure to visit the salt marshes before you leave; the landscape is always changing during the day. At low tide, it is common to see crabs roaming about in the mud. Feel free to visit any time of year. Late September and early October are the best times to catch a glimpse of the monarch butterfly migration.

Hundreds of migratory birds have been spotted in the refuge, including geese, pelicans, hawks, doves, seagulls, warblers, and sparrows. Very rare species have also been known to come here, such as mute swans, wood storks, thick-billed, murre, burrowing owls, red crossbill, and more. The parking lot and trails are open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. If you're interested in fishing at the refuge, you'll have to take a boat to get to the Chesapeake Bay or the Atlantic Ocean.