About the Refuge
History
Refuge Hours
Directions
Rules and Regulations

About the Refuge
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is administered by the Department of Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is located in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania, about 1 mile from the Philadelphia International Airport.  The refuge was established by an act of Congress in 1972 to protect the last 200 acres of freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania.  When acquisition is complete, it will consist of 1200 acres of varied habitats. Over the years, the refuge has become a resting and feeding area for more than 300 species of birds, 80 of which nest here.  Fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, frogs and a wide variety of wildflowers and plants call the refuge "home". 

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is one of more than 550 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.   The National Wildlife Refuge System is a network of lands and waters managed specifically for the protection of wildlife and its habitat. It represents the most comprehensive wildlife management program in the world.

History
The history of Tinicum Marsh, the largest remaining freshwater tidal wetland Pennsylvania goes back to the first settlements in the region in 1634.  Swedes, Dutch and English diked and drained parts of the marsh for grazing.  At that time, the tidal marshes measured over 5,700 acres. The rapid urbanization since World War I, reduced tidal marshes to approximately 200 acres. The remnant of this once vast tidal marsh is protected by the refuge.

A diked, non-tidal area of 145 acres, adjacent to the eastern end of Tinicum Marsh, was donated by the Gulf Oil Corporation to the City of Philadelphia in 1955. This area, administered for the benefit of wildlife and people, was known as Tinicum Wildlife Preserve.  The areas of open water along with the adjacent heavily vegetated tidal wetlands, formed an ideal habitat for thousands of migratory waterfowl.

In 1969, the remaining area was threatened by plans to route Interstate 95 through it and by a sanitary landfill on the tidal wetlands.  These activities started a long series of injunctions, public hearings and extraordinary efforts by private and public groups to secure rerouting of the highway and termination of the landfill operation. Under legislation passed by Congress in 1972, authorization was given to the Secretary of the Interior to acquire 1200 acres to establish the Tinicum National Environmental Center.

In November 1991, in a bill sponsored by Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA), the name of the refuge was changed to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum to honor the late Senator who helped preserve Tinicum Marsh.  

Refuge Hours
Refuge grounds are open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset, free of charge. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, free of charge. The visitor center is closed for all Federal holidays.

Directions
The main entrance to the Refuge at 86th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard in Southwest Philadelphia provides access to the Visitor Center, foot trails, fishing, and wildlife observation platform. There is an additional parking area located at west end of the Refuge, just north of I-95 on Route 420 which provides hiking and fishing access.

There are approximately 10 miles of trails at the refuge. Bicycling is allowed on the main trails but prohibited on some of the woodland foot trails and on the boardwalk on the north end of the impoundment. Click here for refuge map. 

Driving
From the South (Traveling Northbound) on I-95
- Traveling on I-95 North, take Exit 10 (on to Rt. 291)
- At the first light, turn left onto Bartram Ave.
- At the fifth light, turn left onto 84th St.
- At the second light, turn left onto Lindbergh Blvd.*

From the North (Traveling Southbound) on I-95
-Traveling on I-95 South, take Exit 14 (Bartram Ave.)
- At the 5th light turn right onto 84th Street
-At the second light make a left onto Lindbergh Blvd .*

From City Line, 30th Street, University City Area of Philadelphia
-Traveling on I-76 East, stay in left lane after passing the 28th Street Exit 
and follow signs for Rte.291 West
- At the light, turn right onto Rte.291 West and go over the Platt Bridge
Stay in the left lane as you come off the bridge-DO NOT go on to I-95 South
After nearing end of exit bear right onto Island Avenue-At the first traffic light turn left onto Bartram Avenue
Go to the first traffic light and turn right onto 84th Street
Go to the second traffic light and turn left onto Lindbergh Blvd.*

From the Blue Route (I-476)
-Traveling on I-476 South, stay in the left lane, and follow signs for I-95 North
- Get off Exit 10 of I-95.
- At the first light, turn left onto Bartram Ave.
- At the 5th light, turn left onto 84th St.
- At the second light, turn left onto Lindbergh Blvd. *

* In each case follow Lindbergh Blvd. to first stop sign-refuge entrance on right

Rules and Regulations

The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is a federal facility, and any person, or their property, is subject to federal law found in Title 50 of the US Code of Federal Regulations, and applicable state/municipal law.

 

	The refuge is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.  Exact closing times for the refuge can be found clearly marked on entrance signs; on-line at http://www.fws.gov/heinz/index.html, and at the visitor center.  **The gate will automatically shut at closing time.  Once the gate locks, it will not open again until the next morning.  Presence in the refuge after closing hours is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment (50 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) - 26.21 (a)).
	A Pennsylvania fishing license is required in order to fish within designated areas of the refuge. All Pennsylvania fishing rules and regulations apply when fishing in the refuge.  Rules and regulations regarding fishing can be found at http://fishandboat.com/regs_fish.htm
	HUNTING, AND/OR THE COLLECTION OF PLANTS OR ANIMALS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
	Visitors are required to stay on designated trails at all times.  Trail maps can be obtained in the visitor center,  or on-line at http://www.fws.gov/heinz/index.html.  Staying on the trails helps to protect fragile plant and animal habitat.  Staying on designated trails also helps to prevent tick bites and exposure to Poison Ivy.
	Pets must be leashed at all times.  Pets are prohibited from entering any body of water located within the refuge.  This regulation is strictly enforced for the protection of the visiting public, the protection of animal and plant habitat, and to prevent the spread of diseases between animals.
	Bicycles are allowed on designated service roads.  Please ride on the right side of all service roads in order to prevent accidents and injuries to the visiting public.   Please refer to the official refuge trail map for designated bike routes.
	All vehicles are restricted to designated parking areas.  All vehicles are subject to Pennsylvania motor vehicle laws within the boundaries of the refuge.
	Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
	Fires, or cooking with grills is prohibited.
	Feeding wildlife is prohibited.  This regulation is strictly enforced for the protection of the visiting public, the protection of animal and plant habitat, and to prevent the spread of diseases.
	Collecting, disturbing, removing, or injuring any animal or plant within refuge boundaries is strictly prohibited
	For the safety of the public, swimming and/or ice skating is prohibited in all areas of the refuge
	Camping is prohibited within the refuge.
	Off road vehicles are prohibited in all areas of the refuge.

Remember: The refuge has been set aside for wildlife. Please help protect them and visitors by respecting refuge rules.