Propagating access rules on virtual networks in provider network environments

Methods and apparatus that automatically propagate access rules for access groups within clients' virtual networks on a provider network. A peering protocol may be used to advertise routes from a gateway of a client's external network to a virtual gateway of the client's virtual network via direct and/or virtual connections. The advertised routes may be automatically propagated into the virtual network so that traffic can flow between the source address ranges of the advertised routes and the virtual network. Access group information may be included as metadata with at least some route advertisements. Access rules for access groups on the virtual network may be automatically created or updated according to the metadata included with the advertised routes to allow access from network addresses on the client's external network to the client's resources in the access groups.