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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague Island

4.8
#1 of 54 in Wildlife in Virginia
#National Park, #Wildlife Area, #Must See
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge encompasses nearly 5,670 hectares (14,000 acres) of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest. Before setting off a hike or bike ride, you can visit the educational and administrative center to pick up maps, study exhibits, and talk to staff. As you explore, keep your eyes open for the refuge's famous Chincoteague ponies. Fishing, clamming, and crabbing are all popular activities here; look for specially marked areas. Be sure to bring your bathing suit if you'd like to go swimming at the beach or Tom Cove. You can end your visit with a cozy campfire on the beach; pick up a free fire permit from the Tom Cove visitor center beforehand. If the weather is warm, remember to bring bug repellent. Discover how to plan a Chincoteague Island trip in just a few steps with Inspirock's itinerary builder.
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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Reviews
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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5
2,476 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By Kathie D On February 7, 2018
    We love to visit theNWR at this time of year. There is an abundance of water fowl and very few visitors. The information center is open from 10 to 4 most days. It is so peaceful to just sit in the car...  more »
  • By dottie78 On February 2, 2018
    We love coming here. It's a peace of heaven. Having a special needs child it was always difficult to be out for long periods of time. Since we bought the OSV permit he spends hours up and down the bea...  more »
  • By Susan F On January 24, 2018
    This was a very nice area and a wonderful place for the birding enthusiast . Wonderful groomed trails and a beautiful beach. We had a fantastic family day.  more »
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Best things to do in Chincoteague Island

Popular
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Nature & Wildlife Tours
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 3​h
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Museum of Chincoteague
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
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Fishing Charters & Tours
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 4​h
Side Trips
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island
Visit for: 8​h
Assateague State Park
Berlin
Visit for: 3​h
Main Street Berlin
Berlin
Visit for: 4​h
Hidden Gems
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Captain Timothy Hill House
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
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MamerSass
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 1​h
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Chincoteague Cultural Alliance
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Shopping
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Captain Steve's Bait and Tackle
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 1​h
Wine Cheese & More
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 30​min
Flying Fish
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 1​h
Nearby
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Captain Barry's BackBay Cruises
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 3​h
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Daisey's Island Cruises
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
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Captain Dan's Around the Island Tours
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Kid Friendly Attractions
Bike Depot
Chincoteague Island
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
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Plans to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge by other users

9 days in Chincoteague Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, popular PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 4 days in Virginia BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES May, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: May, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 2 days in Chincoteague Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, kids, popular PREFERENCES: July, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 2 days in Chincoteague Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, culture, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: August, culture, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Chincoteague Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife, popular PREFERENCES: July, kids, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 6 days in Chincoteague Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, popular PREFERENCES: September ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 5 days in Chincoteague Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, culture, relaxing, romantic, beaches, wildlife, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, culture, relaxing, romantic, beaches, wildlife ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 12 days in Virginia BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, teens, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, teens, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 8 days in Virginia BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES May, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites, popular PREFERENCES: May, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 4 days in Virginia BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, kids, outdoors, beaches, popular PREFERENCES: June, kids, outdoors, beaches ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 4 days in Chincoteague Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, popular PREFERENCES: June ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 5 days in Chincoteague Island BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, popular PREFERENCES: July ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
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