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Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge |
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| 14344 Jefferson Davis Hwy Woodbridge, VA 22191 E-mail: FW5RW_MSNNWR@fws.gov Phone Number: 703-490-4979 |
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| Visit the Refuge's Web Site: |
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Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge |
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| 14344 Jefferson Davis Hwy Woodbridge, VA 22191 E-mail: FW5RW_MSNNWR@fws.gov Phone Number: 703-490-4979 |
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| Visit the Refuge's Web Site: |
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Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge Featherstone NWR is located about 22 miles south of Washington D.C. at the confluence of Neabsco Creek and the Potomac River. The refuge is managed by staff of the Potomac River NWR Complex. Composed of wetlands and woodlands, the refuge is a narrow strip along the shore of the Potomac River and mouth of Neabsco Creek with a railroad right of way bordering the western edge. The refuge provides habitat for Neotropical migrants, waterfowl, ospreys, and historically bald eagles. There is no public access site for the refuge and it remains closed to public use. Refuge staff are working with Prince William County to provide an access site and the refuge has been identified as providing a possible route for the Potomac Heritage Natural Scenic Trail. Getting There . . . The refuge is closed to the public.
 Featherstone is 325 acres of tidal marsh and riparian wetlands with mature oaks, tulip poplars and red maples. The refuge is located north of the mouth of the Neabsco Creek at the confluence of the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers in Prince William County, Virginia. The large "bottomland" hardwood trees provide suitable habitat with ample nest cavities for pileated and red-bellied woodpeckers, barred owls and prothonotary warblers. Waterfowl enjoy the quiet and secluded waters of Farm Creek for dabbling in the aquatic plant life and fishing for shad and herring. Bald eagles have maintained a nest within or adjacent to the refuge for a number of years. Some mammals that frequent the area include white-tailed deer, red fox, raccoon, gray squirrel, and beaver. Learn More>>  In 1970, one hundred and sixty-four acres of land was acquired "to protect the features of a contiguous wetland area." An additional 161 acres of land was acquired from the District of Columbia in 1979, fully establishing the refuge. The site is a short distance down stream along the Occoquan River from the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Deeds recorded between the late 1600s and 1700s give evidence that the lands of both refuges were most likely part of the large Deep Hole Farm. In the mid-1800s, Featherstone became a rail corridor for the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad. The original rail-bed with cinder and coal slag is still a prominent feature spanning the entire length of the refuge. Today the CSX Corporation maintains its north-south rail lines along the western edge of Featherstone. Currently, the refuge is closed to the public because of poor access to the site due to the rail line, its proximity to the river, and lack of facilities. Learn More>> |
 The refuge is closed to the public.
Due to limited access, management is custodial. Illegal fishing, firearms use, trespassing, and camping are law enforcement issues. Current access for refuge staff is via 2 government right of ways across private property. There are no facilities or management activities supporting public use. |
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