Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuges

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Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuges Your home for refuge events, wildlife sightings and happenings at Bombay Hook and Prime Hook NWRs

Stretching eight miles along Delaware Bay and covering 16,251 acres, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for wildlife. Four-fifths of the refuge is tidal salt marsh with a mix of cordgrass meadows, mud flats, tidal pools, rivers, creeks, and tidal streams. The upland area includes forests, freshwater impoundments, brushy and timbered swamps, and fields of herbaceous plants.

10/06/2026

Did you ever wonder just how, when, and why the hawk migration occurs along the northeast corridor. Did you wonder just how the counters at the hawk watches identify the raptors? Join John Knapp, this Sunday, October 11th at 1:00pm at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. John was past hawk watch counter at Raccoon Ridge, NJ to find out the tricks of the trade so to speak. Meet at Prime Hook NWR Visitor Center. Register online at:

During the Headquarter Hunt on Friday, October 9th for muzzleloader at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, the Visitor...
10/05/2026

During the Headquarter Hunt on Friday, October 9th for muzzleloader at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, the Visitor Center will be open, but the rest of the refuge will be CLOSED for the entire day. There will be gates or other structures to block the Forest Discovery Trail and the road to enter the driving auto tour. Please DO NOT park on the side of the road and walk around the gates or gatelike structures. It can be dangerous for people to try and walk our trails, since people will be hunting the trails.

During the Headquarter Hunt on Tuesday, October 13th for muzzleloader at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, the Visito...
10/05/2026

During the Headquarter Hunt on Tuesday, October 13th for muzzleloader at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, the Visitor Center will be open, but the rest of the refuge will be CLOSED for the entire day. The front gate will be shut, please DO NOT park on the side of the road and walk around the gate. It can be dangerous for people to try and walk our trails, since people will be hunting the trails.

Thursday, October 1st, Fowler Beach on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge will be re-opened for visitation. Dogs are no...
09/29/2026

Thursday, October 1st, Fowler Beach on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge will be re-opened for visitation. Dogs are not allowed. Fishing is allowed, please do not litter. Leave no trace includes fishing line and bait containers/packaging.

Come to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, October 3rd from 8:00am to 10:00am to join the Sussex County Bi...
09/29/2026

Come to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, October 3rd from 8:00am to 10:00am to join the Sussex County Bird Club who will lead a bird walk at Fleetwood Pond Trail, if the weather permits. Meet at Fleetwood Pond parking lot at Prime Hook NWR. The address for the Visitor Center is 12322 Turkle Pond Road, Milton Delaware 19968-3759.

Come to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, October 3rd at 2:00pm to see Terry Willis, present his popular...
09/29/2026

Come to Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, October 3rd at 2:00pm to see Terry Willis, present his popular Monarch Butterfly program. He will review the life cycle and the amazing migration of this annual visitor to the refuge. Address: 2591 Whitehall Neck Road Smyrna, DE 19977-2912. If possible, the program will include butterfly tagging!

09/25/2026

1st State Fun Day at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge is canceled, due to rain and strong winds around Milton tomorrow, September 26th, 2026. Stay safe and dry!

If weather permits, the Friends of Prime Hook will be leading a hawk watch "sit" at Fleetwood Pond at Prime Hook Nationa...
09/18/2026

If weather permits, the Friends of Prime Hook will be leading a hawk watch "sit" at Fleetwood Pond at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, September 20th from 11:00am to 4:00pm. They will be hoping to see migrating hawks, waterfowl, herons, and other birds. Address: 12322 Turkle Pond Road, Milton, DE 19968-3759. The address provided is for the Prime Hook NWR Visitor Center. Meet at the Fleetwood Pond parking lot in Prime Hook NWR. Rain date is Sunday, September 27th, 2026

Come visit Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge on our FEE FREE days! It is FREE to enter Bombay Hook NWR on the days li...
09/15/2026

Come visit Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge on our FEE FREE days! It is FREE to enter Bombay Hook NWR on the days listed below:

Thursday, September 17th, 2026 - Constitution
Sunday, October 11th, 2026 - First Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week
Tuesday, October 27th, 2026 - Theodore Roosevelt's Birthday
Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 - Veteran's Day

Address

2591 Whitehall Neck Road
Smyrna, DE
19977

Telephone

+13026539345

Website

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