Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge News...

Today Deputy Refuge Manager Kim Halpin provided updates on the expanded hours of operation at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, pertaining to trails, visitor centers and other amenities.

 The following actions are effective as of Saturday, November 10, 2012:

 The Refuge will open daily from 7 am - 5 pm.

• Beach Road will open to all vehicle traffic, from the refuge entrance to the pony corral. A barricade exists, prohibiting further vehicular access. Parking is permitted on the side of the road.
• Only pedestrian and bicycle traffic is permitted beyond the barricade. For your convenience, additional bike racks will be placed along Beach Road, near the Toms Cove visitor center.
• Most of the refuge trails are open, including the Wildlife Loop, Marsh Trail, Lighthouse Trail, Black Duck Trail, Woodland Trail and Swans Cove Trail.
• Wildlife Loop Trail will open to vehicle access from 3pm to 5 pm.
• The Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) Zone remains closed
• The Toms Cove visitor center, managed by the National Park Service, is open from 9 am - 4 pm.

We appreciate your patience and understanding, while cleanup efforts continue. To obtain information and updates about future access and ongoing activities, please visit our website at http://www.fws.gov/northeasr/chinco , follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/ChincoteagueNWR, or tune your radio to 1610 AM (must be within a 5 mile radius).