Virginia's Bird & Wildlife Trail
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Virginia’s Bird & Wildlife Trail (VBWT) is a statewide network for planning birding and wildlife-viewing outings, from coastal marshes and barrier islands to mountain forests. Rather than one continuous footpath, it links outdoor sites into regional driving loops, with maps and descriptions to help you choose stops that suit your trip.[1][2]
What the trail is
The VBWT is a collection of outdoor viewing sites organized into loops—not a single route that you walk from end to end. At a site, visitors may explore a nature trail, paddle a waterway, or watch from a scenic overlook, depending on the location. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) describes the network as a way to find places for viewing birds and other wildlife across the Commonwealth.[3]
Choose a region
DWR groups its trail loops into three broad regions: mountain, piedmont, and coastal. The landscapes and viewing opportunities vary across them, so choose a region based on where you are traveling and the habitats you want to explore. The official regional pages provide loop maps and descriptions of their viewing sites.[4]
Coastal region
Explore coastal landscapes including shorelines, barrier islands, marshes, and bay edges. The regional loops include destinations on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and around Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay. Check the DWR map and site listings to select current stops.
Piedmont region
Use the regional loop pages to plan outings among the Piedmont’s listed wildlife-viewing sites. Check the individual site details before setting out, since routes and access conditions vary by location.
Mountain region
Find loop options among Virginia’s mountain landscapes, including places to view wildlife from trails and overlooks. Consult the official site listings for the terrain, facilities, and access information at each stop.
Plan a visit
Start with DWR’s “Explore the Wild” search to find viewing sites and directions, or choose a regional loop and review its map and site descriptions. The trail is designed to let visitors select individual stops or travel between several sites by car; you do not need to complete an entire loop in one outing.[5]
Before you go, check the listing for each site and confirm details with its managing organization. The DWR notes that sites, or portions of sites, may close periodically for management activities. Facilities, access requirements, and available activities are site-specific and can change.[6]
What to look for
Virginia’s varied habitats make the trail useful for more than birdwatching. DWR highlights coastal wildlife such as brown pelicans and bottlenose dolphins, as well as bald eagles and black bears in the Appalachian region. What you see depends on the site, season, and conditions, so use the official listings to match a destination to your interests.[7]
For an example of the detail available, the DWR listing for the Chessie Nature Trail includes site information, directions, amenities, and an access notice. Other listings may provide different details, so review each destination’s page rather than assuming facilities or access are consistent across the network.[8]
Responsible wildlife viewing
Give wildlife space, stay on designated routes where provided, and follow posted rules at each property. Because the trail includes sites managed by different organizations, check the site listing for current access requirements and any local guidance before visiting.
Related books: Browse related Virginia books on Amazon
References
- ↑ Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Trails in Virginia, Virginia Is for Lovers, Virginia Tourism Corporation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Chessie Nature Trail, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Chessie Nature Trail, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-22.