Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeNearby: South Lawson Park Gosnold's Hope Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge is located in Virginia and is a great place to visit for nature lovers.
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Summary
The refuge offers a variety of habitats including marshes, woodlands, and beaches, and is home to many species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. Visitors can enjoy hiking, photography, birdwatching, and wildlife observation, as well as fishing and hunting in designated areas.
Some specific points of interest to see at the refuge include the observation deck overlooking the marshes, the beach area with views of the Chesapeake Bay, and the various trails that wind through the woodlands and wetlands. Visitors may also spot endangered species such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and loggerhead sea turtle.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Plum Tree Island was once used as an Army firing range, and that the refuge was established in 1972 with the purpose of preserving and protecting the natural habitats.
The best time of year to visit Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge is during the fall and winter months, when many bird species migrate through the area. However, the refuge is open year-round and there are activities and wildlife to observe throughout the year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Gosnolds Hope Park
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Bethel Military
|
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The Colonies Military
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South Lawson Park
Gosnold's Hope Park
Poquoson Municipal Park
General Matthew Parkway Park
Y H Thomas Park