A bald eagle on ice at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (date not given). Photo: Charlie Lister/USFWS volunteer · public domain · resized; cropped to fit. Not current conditions.
Winter wildlife near Washingtonday trips within 250 miles
Not in season now; local timing: Nov 15–Mar 31 at Eastern Neck Refuge, the nearest place we track.
In season near Washington now
Where can I see winter wildlife near Washington?
We track 7 winter wildlife places within 250 straight-line miles of Washington, in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey and North Carolina. The nearest is Eastern Neck Refuge, about 43 miles away (local timing: Nov 15–Mar 31).
Blackwater Refuge usually starts first (local timing: Jan 1–Feb 28) and Bombay Hook ends last (local timing: Nov 1–Dec 31).
Checked Sep 29. Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Neck NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR seasons of wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- 7places within 250 miles
- 43 minearest: Eastern Neck Refuge
- Jan 1earliest usual start: Blackwater Refuge
Pick your week
Pick a week: the places usually in their window then light up. Each place's own usual window, or its region's or state's timing where it has none (labeled); not a forecast.
Week of Jan 1
- Usually peaking this week
- Other weeks
Usually in peak the week of Jan 1
- Blackwater Refuge
Local timing: Jan 1–Feb 28
58 miles from Washington
By distance from Washington
- 43 miEastern Neck RefugeLocal timing: Nov 15–Mar 31
- 58 miBlackwater RefugeLocal timing: Jan 1–Feb 28
- 87 miBombay HookLocal timing: Nov 1–Dec 31
- 113 miChincoteague RefugeLocal timing: Nov 1–Dec 31
- 143 miForsythe RefugeLocal timing: Dec 1–Feb 28
- 222 miPocosin Lakes RefugeLocal timing: Nov 1–Feb 28
- 243 miMattamuskeet RefugeLocal timing: Nov 1–Feb 28
Questions people ask
What's the closest winter wildlife to Washington?
Eastern Neck Refuge, about 43 straight-line miles away. Local timing: Nov 15–Mar 31.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Neck NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where does the wildlife season start first near Washington?
Blackwater Refuge (58 miles): local timing: Jan 1–Feb 28.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Blackwater NWR seasons of wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How far are these places from Washington?
From 43 to 243 straight-line miles; roads are longer. 3 are within 100 miles.