This 644 acre refuge was previously a military research site and is part of the Potomac River NWR Complex. The refuge has a unique mix of wetlands, forest, and native grasslands that provides a diversity of habitats for wide variety of species. Wetland habitats cover about 50% of the refuge and include wet meadows, bottomland hardwoods, open freshwater marsh, and tidally influenced marshes and streams. Upland meadows and mature oak-hickory-beech forest are interspersed among the wetlands. The unusual number and interspersion of habitats provides visitors a unique opportunity to view a wide variety of wildlife species and habitats in a relatively small area.

Wildlife & Habitat:
The Refuge is a one of the largest remaining open spaces in Northern Virginia. With one square mile of grasslands and tidal marshes, the refuge serves as critical habitat for migratory birds. Over 200 species of birds and 600 species of plants have been identified on this site.

These numbers continue to grow as researchers and biologists study ways of perpetuating the grasslands by means such as mowing and the application of prescribed burning. The open landscape provides excellent viewing of raptors and the abundant white-tailed deer. Some of the refuges interesting birds include the woodcock, meadowlark, snipe, Northern harrier, savanna sparrow, yellow warbler, orchard oriole and great horned owl.

Directions:
Located in Woodbridge, Virginia 20 miles south of Washington D.C. From the north: take I-95 south to exit 161 (Woodbridge), follow Rt 1 south, cross the Occoquan River, turn left at light onto Dawson Beach Rd. Follow road to end. From the south: take I-95 north to exit 156 (Rippon Blvd). Continue to Rt. 1 and turn left. Go north on Rt 1 several miles and turn right onto Dawson Beach Rd. Follow road to the end.