Last updated: August 18, 2025
Place
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
336 Wilna Road, Warsaw, VA 22572
Significance:
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge leads conservation efforts to protect rare species, diverse habitats, and centuries of cultural history in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Designation:
National Wildlife Refuge; Chesapeake Gateways Network Site
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
4 listed
Beach/Water Access, Dock/Pier, Trailhead, Wheelchair Accessible
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a Chesapeake Gateways Network Site that invites you to experience the natural and cultural richness of Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Stretching across five counties, the refuge protects essential habitats in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, including marshes, forests, and grasslands that support at-risk and endangered species.
Established in 1996 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this refuge is one of the first to protect, conserve, and restore key habitats within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Visitors can hike scenic trails, paddle calm waterways, and explore habitats teeming with life. Public access units offer space for learning and recreation year-round, while the Wilna Unit provides interpretive resources and opportunities for citizen science and stewardship.
This refuge is not only a model of ecological stewardship but also a place of deep cultural significance. It preserves stories of colonial settlers and early American resistance movements like the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. It continues to honor the history of Indigenous communities through the presence of the Rappahannock Tribe.
As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Places network, the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge connects people to the landscapes that shape the Bay’s story. Learn more about the refuge’s unique blend of nature, history, and conservation by visiting their website.
Established in 1996 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this refuge is one of the first to protect, conserve, and restore key habitats within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Visitors can hike scenic trails, paddle calm waterways, and explore habitats teeming with life. Public access units offer space for learning and recreation year-round, while the Wilna Unit provides interpretive resources and opportunities for citizen science and stewardship.
This refuge is not only a model of ecological stewardship but also a place of deep cultural significance. It preserves stories of colonial settlers and early American resistance movements like the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. It continues to honor the history of Indigenous communities through the presence of the Rappahannock Tribe.
As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Places network, the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge connects people to the landscapes that shape the Bay’s story. Learn more about the refuge’s unique blend of nature, history, and conservation by visiting their website.