Tag Archives: wildlife

Virginia

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Virginia

Managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Established 1943

14,000 acres

Website: www.fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague

Overview

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect migratory birds, like the greater snow goose. To the north, Assateague Island National Seashore was authorized 22 years later and in combination with Assateague State Park they protect a 37-mile stretch of undeveloped shoreline that crosses the border of Maryland and Virginia. The National Park Service comanages the visitor center at the refuge. Unlike Assateague Island National Seashore, no pets are allowed in the refuge, even in vehicles.

A serene sunset over the ocean with vibrant orange, pink, and purple hues reflecting on the water.

Highlights

Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center, film, Assateague Lighthouse, wild ponies, kayaking, swimming, beachcombing

Must-Do Activity

Assateague Island’s most renowned residents are its wild ponies, purported to have swum ashore from a wrecked Spanish galleon.  Every year since the 1700s, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company has herded the ponies that live on Assateague Island for an auction to raise funds for firefighting.  This annual event was chronicled in the classic children’s book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry (which made our Top 10 NPS Novels list).  The ponies can often be spotted by hikers on the Woodland Trail, a three-mile loop hike.  Nearby there is also a free NASA visitor center at Wallops Flight Facility where they launch rockets and 343-acre Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge, which offers hunting opportunities with a permit.

Best Trail

We mentioned the Woodland Trail above, but this park is all about walking the beach, especially the ten miles of wild beach only accessible by foot. Unlike Assateague Island National Seashore, no pets are allowed in the refuge, even in vehicles.

Watchable Wildlife

Atlantic horseshoe crabs are one of the iconic species of the beach, and you will see their shells even if you miss a spawning event correlated with the highest tides of the warmer months. Wild ponies and sika deer are non-native species to the island. Native animals commonly seen include red foxes, Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrels, piping plovers, and brown pelicans. A wide variety of birds migrate through this area in the spring and fall (also a good time to see monarch butterflies). There are touch tanks for visitors to dunk their hands into at the Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center.

Instagram-worthy Photo

The first Assateague Lighthouse was built in 1833, while the structure seen today was completed in 1867.

A tall striped lighthouse with red and white bands standing against a clear blue sky, accompanied by a small red building at its base.

Peak Season

Summer

Hours

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/chincoteague/visit-us

Fees

$25 per vehicle or America the Beautiful pass

Road Conditions

The access road is paved, and with a permit you can drive Wildlife Loop Trail from 3:00 p.m. to dusk (always open as a hiking and biking trail). Over-sand vehicle zones within the refuge are managed by Assateague Island National Seashore. It takes about 1.2 hours to drive the highways between the north and south bridges to Assateague Island.

Camping

Outside the refuge on the island’s northern portion in Maryland, the National Park Service (NPS) operates two campgrounds with cold showers, and the one nearby in Assateague State Park offers hot showers.  Two oceanside backpacking camps and four bayside kayak-in camps are also available by permit in the north.

Related Sites

Assateague Island National Seashore (Maryland-Virginia)

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park (Maryland)

First State National Historical Park (Delaware)

Cape Hatteras National Seashore (North Carolina)

A vibrant sunset over the ocean, with orange and pink hues reflecting on the water, under a cloudy sky.
Sunrise
A person standing alone on a beach at sunset, wearing a warm coat and red gloves, with waves gently lapping at the shore and a cloudy sky.
Tiff collecting shells on the beach. It was pretty cold in February, in the low 40s with some serious wind.
A marsh landscape featuring dry grasses, small water channels, and distant trees, with a lighthouse visible in the background.
Woodland Trail
A serene view of a body of water with ducks swimming, surrounded by trees and distant flying birds under a blue sky with clouds.
A serene beach scene at sunset with colorful clouds, reflecting light on the water, and several seagulls walking along the wet sand.
A woman standing in front of two informational panels depicting wildlife; one panel illustrates a deer and various birds, labeled 'Shrub Thicket Fall-Winter,' while the other panel shows tree illustrations with birds, labeled 'Forest Spring-Summer.'
Tiff in the visitor center
A tranquil beach scene at dusk, featuring soft sand and a gradient sky transitioning from blue to orange, with distant trees lining the horizon.
Bay side
A person interacting with a touch tank filled with marine life, smiling while reaching into the water.
Tiff in the visitor center
A tall lighthouse with red and white stripes against a clear blue sky, featuring small windows and a bird flying nearby.
Turkey vulture flying by the lighthouse.
Front view of the Assateague Lighthouse with a red brick facade, featuring a white door and staircase, and a plaque displaying historical information.
The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1867
A heron standing by the water's edge, reflected in the calm water, surrounded by tall grasses and sparse trees in a marshy area.
A great blue heron in breeding plumage
A vibrant sunset over the ocean, with dramatic clouds in the sky reflecting warm colors.
A brown horse grazing among yellow flowers in a grassy field.

Explore More – Not just a safe haven for wild ponies, where in the refuge do seahorses anchor to underwater grasses?

Utah

Arches National Park

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Overview

Arches National Park in Moab, Utah is home to 2,500 wind-carved holes in its famed orange sandstone, ranging in size from a minimum of three feet to 290-foot wide Landscape Arch (the fifth longest span in the world).  As opposed to natural bridges which are carved by flowing water, arches are primarily wind formed, although water and ice can contribute. 

Learn more in our guidebook to the National Parks, A Park to Yourself: Finding Adventure in America’s National Parks (available on Amazon).

Highlights

Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, Landscape Arch, Fiery Furnace, Devils Garden Trail

Must-Do Activity

We recommend you reserve a spot on a ranger led hike through the twisting labyrinth of Fiery Furnace (additional fee).  You can get a permit to go alone, but we are glad we had a guide or we might still be trying to find our way out.  The beautiful red rocks really show their color at sunrise and sunset, so find a nice place to watch the show when you come.  As depicted on the state license plate for Utah, Delicate Arch is a popular venue for sunsets.

Best Trail

When the crowds in the park overwhelm you, take the easy 8.3-mile drive down dirt Salt Valley Road to the trailhead for less visited Tower Arch.  Seeing Tower Arch is worth the strenuous 3.4-mile roundtrip hike, but it can be hard to photograph.

Instagram-worthy Photo

Double Arch is located near the North and South Windows and photographs well in the late afternoon.

Peak Season

Spring and fall

Hours

https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Fees

$30 per vehicle or America the Beautiful pass

Road Conditions

The main road that dead ends at Devils Garden is paved, but there are some dirt roads in the park that require four-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicles.

Camping

Devils Garden Campground is a great place to spend the night, with easy trail access to Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch.  The public land around Moab under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management is often overrun by dispersed campers.

Related Sites

Canyonlands National Park (Utah)

Natural Bridges National Monument (Utah)

Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)

  • North Window
  • Delicate Arch
  • Underneath Delicate Arch
  • Devils Garden Trail
  • Tiff on Devils Garden Trail
  • Scott at Double O Arch
  • Tiff on Fiery Furnace Tour
  • Tiff near Sand Dune Arch
  • Scott in Broken Arch
  • Landscape Arch (depicted in drawing below)
  • Raven about the park
This design we created to celebrate Joshua Tree National Park is available on a variety of products at Cafe Press and Amazon.

Explore More – At 290 feet, Landscape Arch is the fifth longest span in the world; what country contains the four larger arches?

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

North Carolina

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

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Overview

The Outer Banks of North Carolina have sparked the imaginations of travelers ever since British colonists landed here in 1585.  If you are seeking undeveloped beaches that have changed little over the centuries then this is the place to go.  The 70 miles of barrier islands protected as Cape Hatteras National Seashore are interrupted only by small seaside villages and one long section by Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.  Bodie Island and Hatteras Island are connected by bridges, but Ocracoke Island is only accessible by ferry.

Highlights

1870 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, 1872 Bodie Island Lighthouse, Ocracoke Island Campground, beaches

Must-Do Activity

The main National Park Service (NPS) visitor center is located at iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse where you can learn about shipwrecks, pirates, and the monumental effort to move the 208-foot tall brick structure in 1999.  Further down Highway 12, pick up a free ferry to Ocracoke Island, a renowned vacation destination.  Several campgrounds are found along the seashore, including one on Ocracoke.  Since this remote strip of sand is not easy to get to, you will want to spend at least a night or two.

Best Trail

Walking the beach and collecting seashells is the most popular diversion, but there are also the Hammock Hills Nature Trail on Ocracoke Island and Buxton Woods Nature Trail on Hatteras Island.

Instagram-worthy Photo

Ocracoke Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina, dating back to 1823, but it is not open to enter inside.

Peak Season

Summer

Hours

https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Fees

None, except a fee is charged to climb Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras Lighthouses

Road Conditions

All main roads are paved and there are designated access points to drive on the beach.

Camping

There are four NPS campgrounds and they all take reservations.

Related Sites

Cape Lookout National Seashore (North Carolina)

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (North Carolina)

Wright Brothers National Memorial (North Carolina)

  • Tiff with Bodie Island Lighthouse
  • Beach bunny
  • Tiff with some egrets in the water
  • Grackle
  • Scott at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
  • Tiff atop Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
  • View from atop Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
  • Inside Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
  • NPS campsite on Ocracoke Island
  • Dolphin

Explore More – The Outer Banks are known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” so how many shipwrecks have been recorded in this area?

California

Channel Islands National Park

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Overview

Off the coast of Ventura, California a rugged archipelago is protected as Channel Islands National Park.  There is an airplane landing strip on Santa Rosa Island, but most visitors arrive to the five accessible islands by ferry.  Often referred to as the “Galapagos Islands of California,” the biodiverse kelp beds are popular with scuba divers and the sea caves attract kayakers.

Learn more in our guidebook to the National Parks, A Park to Yourself: Finding Adventure in America’s National Parks (available on Amazon).

Highlights

Anacapa Island, Inspiration Point, Arch Rock, wildlife

Must-Do Activity

Most visitors arrive by boat, with the majority taking a day trip to tiny Anacapa Island, which you can walk all the way around in about an hour.  The ferry ride is exciting in and of itself with gray whale watching, a close swing by Arch Rock, and an unforgettable landing at a dock where it is far too rough to tie up.  If you want the chance to see an amazing sunset and sunrise, you have to overnight on one of the five islands (see Camping below). We also highly recommend the kayaking tour of the sea caves on Santa Cruz Island.

Best Trail

On Anacapa Island, a 1.5-mile loop trail leads around the perimeter and accesses iconic Inspiration Point.  There are many miles of trails on Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Cruz Islands (and all have designated campsites).

Instagram-worthy Photo

From atop Anacapa Island’s steep cliffs, we watched swimming sea lions warm their flippers in the air and flying brown pelicans catch thermals below where we stood. 

Peak Season

Summer

Hours

https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Fees

There is no entry fee, but reservations are required for all overnight camping ($15 per night) and ferry prices vary by island.

Road Conditions

No roads

Camping

A few years ago, we stayed at the tiny backcountry campground (with no water available) on Anacapa Island in early April when the giant coreopsis flowers were completing their spectacular blooming period.  It was a noisy night since the island is a rookery for thousands of western gulls, plus the lighthouse’s foghorn rumbles out a warning four times per minute. There is a large campground near the dock on Santa Cruz Island frequented by endangered island foxes.

Related Sites

Point Reyes National Seashore (California)

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (California)

Cabrillo National Monument (California)

Arch Rock
Ferry boat “docking” at Anacapa Island
The stairs climb from the dock up to Anacapa Island
Sunrise lights up the giant coreopsis flowers on Anacapa Island.
Western gulls and the lighthouse foghorn can make for a noisy stay.
Sunrise on Anacapa Island
Scott and Tiff at Inspiration Point
A crow sits on the mast of the NPS boat docked at the visitor center in Ventura
Kayaking around Santa Cruz Island
Scott under the dock on Santa Cruz Island
Kelp forest
Inside a sea cave on Santa Cruz Island
Sea lion
An endangered island fox
Dolphins following the ferry boat
Raven about the park
This design we created to celebrate Joshua Tree National Park is available on a variety of products at Cafe Press and Amazon.
Cafe Press

Explore More – The largest in the archipelago, Santa Cruz Island is 62,000 acres and 76% owned by which non-profit organization?

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

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Overview

On the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border, the Delaware River flows through a gap in the long ridge of the Appalachian Mountains.  This marks the southern end of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the site of the Kittatinny Point Visitor Center (right off Interstate 80) managed by the National Park Service (NPS).  When preservationists fought to protect this area from being dammed in the 1960s it led to the creation of the National Recreation Area surrounding a 40-mile stretch of river designated as the Middle Delaware National Scenic River.

Highlights

Raymondskill Falls, Millbrook Village, Dingmans Falls, floating Middle Delaware National Scenic River

Must-Do Activity

Most of the NPS visitor centers are open seasonally in this resort area on the Pocono Plateau.  We visited in the offseason in late September and enjoyed hiking to Raymondskill, Silver Thread, and Dingmans Falls on the Pennsylvania side.  On the New Jersey side the main attraction is Millbrook Village, a recreated 1800s town that is open year round.  Fishing, swimming, and floating the Middle Delaware National Scenic River are popular in the summer.

Best Trail

There are more than 100 miles of trails within the park, including 27 miles of the famous Appalachian National Scenic Trail that leads to the top of Mt. Minsi for great views of the actual Delaware Water Gap.

Instagram-worthy Photo

A boardwalk trail passes 80-foot tall Silver Thread Falls on the way to 130-foot tall Dingmans Falls.

Peak Season

Summer

Hours

https://www.nps.gov/dewa/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Fees

None for entry, but some sites have a user fee (Smithfield Beach, Milford Beach, etc.) and there are toll bridges across the river in places.

Road Conditions

There are several unpaved roads and toll bridges within the boundaries of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Camping

Promised Land State Park in Pennsylvania

Campground options available in New Jersey include Worthington State Forest, High Point State Park, and Stokes State Forest.  Dingmans Campground on the Pennsylvania side offers discounts for the NPS Senior Pass. Primitive camping is allowed for thru-hikers on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and along the riverside for boaters.  Keep a clean campsite, as black bears are common.

Related Sites

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (New York-Pennsylvania)

Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (Pennsylvania)

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (Pennsylvania)

  • Tiff inside a little cave
  • Raymondskill Falls
  • Scott at Dingmans Falls
  • Dingmans Falls
  • Silver Thread Falls
  • Middle Delaware National Scenic River
  • Scott and Tiff at Raymondskill Falls

Explore More – The Delaware River is one of the cleanest rivers in the eastern U.S. and attracts large numbers of which nationally symbolic raptor every winter?