Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge hosts more ducks and wading birds than any place on the peninsula in winter. The spectacular refuge includes more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest... and winter is the best time to see it all.

Located on the Virginia end of Assateague Island, the wildlife havenÆs boundaries extend south and encompass all or part of Assawoman, Metompkin, and Cedar islands. The refuge's location along the Atlantic Flyway makes it an internationally known resting and feeding spot for an enormous diversity of birds. Within a workday's access to millions of people, the duckÆs paradise is one of the most visited refuges in the United States, providing visitors with outstanding opportunities to learn about and enjoy wild lands and wildlife.

Chincoteague Refuge, originally established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory birds, today provides habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and song birds, as well as other species of wildlife and plants. Chincoteague is also one of the top five shorebird migratory staging areas in the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains. In 1990, the barrier islands which make up Chincoteague Refuge along with other barrier islands of the eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland, were designated an International Shorebird Reserve. This coastal barrier island/lagoon system has also been designated a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations in recognition of its great ecological value. In the spring, fall, and winter, the refuge is teaming with wildlife.

The refuge also provides an important education and recreation resource for people attracted to the beautiful beach and easy wildlife viewing opportunities. Otters and endangered fox squirrels are a favorite with visitors year-round.

The refuge also provides environmental education and wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, interpretation, and wildlife photography. The coastal bays kayak trail traverses the unspoiled marshland around the refuge.