ChincoteagueTear Sheet |
Tear Sheet of Chincoteague (NWR) in Virginia. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
reet
n St
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Chincoteague
N
South
Wash
Flats
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lev
ou
Ma
B
ox
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Ma
National Wildlife Refuge
Trail Map
et
e
Str
d
Gadwall
Pool
Ch
an
ne
l
Pony
Swim
nd
Po
Farm Fields Pool
As
sa
te
ag
ue
w
So
Pintail Pool
Black Duck
Pool
D Dike
Shoveler
Snow Goose
Pool
Bivalve
Trail
North Over Sand Vehicle Zone
Swan
Cove Pool
Little
Toms Cove
Mallard Pool
C Dike
Pool
Atlantic
Ocean
NPS
Visitor Center
Toms Cove
LEGEND
South Over Sand Vehicle Zone
Parking
Lighthouse
Visitor Center
Kayak Launch
Hiking Trails
Hiking/Biking Trails
Beach Area - Open to Public
Crabbing
Fishing
Over Sand Vehicle Zones
Restrooms
Closed Areas - Stay on Trails
Seasonal Closures Apply
Pony View
Beach Access
0
0
.5
2000
1 Mile
4000 Feet
Unpaved Trails
Lighthouse Trail (0.25 miles)
Walking - moderately easy (sandy hill)
Marsh Trail (0.5 miles)
Walking - easy
Bivalve Trail (0.25 miles)
Walking - moderately easy (uneven
terrain)
Service Road (7.5 miles)
Walking - easy
First mile open to bicycling
Observation
Platform
Chincoteague
Chamber of
Commerce
Paved Trails
Wildlife Loop (3.2 miles)
Walking and bicycling - easy
Open 3:00 PM to dusk to vehicles
Woodland Trail (1.6 miles)
Walking and bicycling - easy
Black Duck Trail (1 mile)
Walking and bicycling - easy
Swan Cove Trail (0.5 miles)
Walking and bicycling - easy
The Refuge is Open Seven Days a Week
May through September
5:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M.
April & October
6:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M.
November through March
6:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Welcome to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge... Where people and wildlife meet.
Established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory birds, the refuge protects more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes,
marsh and maritime forest. Every season brings unique opportunities to enjoy wildlife observation and photography.
Songbirds, wading birds and shorebirds arrive in spring and many stay throughout the summer. Fall brings migratory
raptors and monarch butterflies followed by the waterfowl that will spend the winter on the refuge. Visitors can explore
trails, visit the beach, see the historic Assateague Lighthouse, and more! The refuge also offers a variety of special events
throughout the year, so please see our website or inquire at a visitor center for details.
Visitor Centers - Hours vary by season
Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center (757-336-6122)
8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague, VA 23336
This center is the second left upon entering the refuge and features an information desk, exhibits, and videos
showed on request in the auditorium. Refuge Headquarters is co-located with the Chincoteague Natural History
Association, who operate a book store and run seasonal Refuge Treks from the center, call 757-336-3696 for details.
Toms Cove Visitor Center (757-336-6577)
8586 Beach Road, Chincoteague, VA 23336
Located next to the recreational beach at the end of Beach Road, this center features a small aquarium and touch
tank, a bookstore and an information desk. Ranger guided programs are available seasonally.
Refuge Rules and Regulations
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service encourages you to enjoy your visit, but remember that protecting wildlife, plants, and their
habitats is the priority. Regulations exist for the welfare of wildlife, as well as for your safety. Please read and comply with
the following list of regulations. Note this list is not all inclusive; therefore, remember that unless an activity is listed as
permitted in a brochure or on a sign, it is not allowed.
Permitted Activities - in designated areas only
Wildlife Observation, photography,
interpretation and education - throughout the
refuge
Prohibited Activities
Pets (even in vehicles) - Service dogs permitted as
defined by ADA regulations. Contact us for details.
Consuming alcoholic beverages
Surf Fishing - into the ocean from the beach
(Follow Virginia State Regulations)
Disturbing, feeding, or harassing ponies or wildlife
Hunting (with a refuge issued permit)
D
C
Collecting, removing, or damaging plants or
animals
Crabbing & Shellfishing
Removing driftwood, bones or skeletons
Shell collecting (no more than one gallon of
unoccupied sea shells per person per day)
Use of metal detectors and collecting cultural or
historic objects
Hiking
Climbing onto or digging into fragile sand dunes
Bicycling
Bicycling on the beach
Boating - in Toms Cove and Assateague Channel
(non-commercial)
Camping/Overnight stays
Over-Sand Vehicle Use (with permit)
Open fires (except with a permit) or Fireworks
Recreational Beach (lifeguards present
seasonally)
Boats and flotation devices within refuge water
impoundments
Horseback Riding (in South Over-Sand Vehicle
Zone)
Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft
(such as drones)
v
Climbing Assateague Lighthouse (schedule
varies, call 757-336-3696)
Firearms and weapons prohibited in government
buildings
Safety Measures to Protect You & Wildlife
Protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes, they may carry disease. To avoid contact: stay on trails; use repellent;
wear long sleeve shirts and long pants while exploring the area; and, inspect yourself carefully.
Ponies and wildlife on the refuge may carry diseases. Feeding and touching animals puts you and your family at risk.
Enjoy all wildlife from a distance, especially if they seem friendly.
Poison ivy is abundant on the refuge. It can grow as either a vine, shrub or single plant, but always has 3 leaves at
the end of a stem. Please stay on refuge trails to avoid contact.
O
It is fairly common to observe seals loafing on the beach, ponies laying down or sea turtles laying eggs in the sand.
We are guests in their home, so please give them their space. If they react to your activity, you are too close. In cases
of sick or injured wildlife, minimize the animal’s stress by keeping the safe distance (100 ft) and contact refuge staff.
Thank You for Obeying Closed Area Signs
When you remain on named trails and open portions of
the beach, you help us protect wildlife.
Closed areas may be marked
AREA
with signs, white posts
AREA
BEYOND
CLOSED
and/or rope lines.
THIS
IMPORTANT
BIRDS NESTING
Disturbance by humans or their pets reduces
the birds’ chances of survival.
It may cause parents to abandon eggs or chicks,
or interrupt feeding behavioir at critical times.
SIGN
BLACK SKIMMER
CLOSED
ME
NT O F T H
E
PA
RT
IN
R I OR
U. S. D E
TE
All public entry prohibited
LEAST TERN
PIPING PLOVER
ENTERING AREA VIOLATION OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.
M
AR
4
C H 3, 18
9
NO PETS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 62
Chincoteague, VA 23336
NO VEHICLES
NO ENTRY
Contact Us
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
757/336 6122 Office, 757/336 5273 Fax
FW5RW_CNWR@fws.gov
www.fws.gov/refuge/Chincoteague
www.facebook.com/ChincoteagueNWR
www.twitter.com/ChincoteagueNWR
Federal Relay Service for the deaf and
hard-of-hearing 1800/877 8339
January 2020