Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge

Accotink Bay Wildlife Area
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Entrance to Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge
Location	Fairfax County, Virginia, United States
Nearest city	Springfield, Virginia
Coordinates	38.69444°N 77.15417°W / 38.69444; -77.15417
Area	1,200 acres (4.9 km2)
Established	1979
Governing body	United States Army

Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge is a nature preserve on the grounds of Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Several other parks, including Mason Neck Park, Pohick Bay Regional Park, and the Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge are located nearby.

The refuge was established in 1979 to protect sensitive wetlands and wildlife habitats associated with Accotink Bay and to provide opportunities for environmental education and low-intensity recreation. The refuge offers more than eight miles of hiking trails.

Species native to the preserve include:

• Foxes
• Deer
• American toads
• Raccoons
• Black rat snakes
• Eastern box turtles
• Various millipedes, including Narceus americanus
• Various salamanders, including spotted salamanders and red back salamanders
• Various spiders, including Lycosa aspersa

The Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge Environmental Education Center is located at the entrance to the refuge. The center features exhibits, videos and trail guides about the refuge and offers nature education programs.

Due to the preserve's location on Fort Belvoir, visitors to the refuge and education center are required to present a valid photo ID to obtain a visitor's pass.

External links

• Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge - VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries
• Northern Virginia Hikes - National Park Service information including Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge