U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Southeast Region

Home

 

Welcome to the official Web site of the
Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.

We sincerely hope that your visit here is pleasant and rewarding. On our web site, you'll get tips on enjoying the Refuge safely. You'll also learn about some of the things we are doing to be responsible stewards of the Florida Everglades, and the things that live here. Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is the last northernmost portion of the unique Everglades. With over 221 square miles of Everglades habitat, the Loxahatchee Refuge is home to the American alligator and the critically endangered Everglade snail kite. In any given year, as many as 257 species of birds may use the Refuge's diverse wetland habitats. Please help us protect the resources so your children and their children will have the same opportunity for enjoyment in the future. If there's anything we can do to make your experience more enjoyable or rewarding, just ask a Ranger, volunteer or any Refuge employee.  Print a map for your convenience and planning.   ARM Loxahatahchee Map

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Canoe Trail

During this dry season, use of the Canoe Trail is dependent on water conditions. Please call the VisitorCenter (561-734-8303) for updated information on the Guided Canoe Trips identified on the calendar of events as well as to determine if the Canoe Trail is open to the public.

Birds have come to the Visitor Center

L-40 Levee and canal closure

Beginning October 1, 2010 the Refuge L-40 Levee and canal were closed from Loxahatchee road continuing north for two miles to boating, hiking, bicycling, and all other public use due to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers construction. The Site 1 Impoundment Project (Fran Reich Preserve) will capture and store storm water that would otherwise be lost to tide during dry times. It will also preserve clean water in the Refuge along with other related environmental benefits. This project is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP).

Youtube Site 1Video

South Florida Water Management District News Release

CERP Site 1 Impoundment Community News Site 1 Temporary Closure Map

Getting Here . . . The Refuge is located about 10 miles west of Boynton Beach, Florida. It is accessible from Interstate 95 and the Florida Turnpike by going west on either Boynton Beach Blvd or Atlantic Ave in Delray Beach, until you reach Highway 441/State Road 7.From Boynton Beach Blvd., proceed south on Hwy 441/SR7 for two miles and turn west (right) onto Lee Road. From Atlantic Ave, proceed north on Hwy 441/SR7 for two miles and turn west (left) onto Lee Road. The Refuge Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 - 4:00. Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving. There is a $5.00 entrance fee per vehicle. Annual passes are available for $12.00. Senior passes (for those American citizens over 62) can be purchased and is good for life at refuges and national parks throughout the country.  Military passes are also available without charge for those eligible active duty personnel and dependents.  Access passes for people who are permanently disabled are available at no charge.

For more information contact us at:10216 Lee RoadBoynton Beach FL. 33473 (561) 734-8303

  Alligator Hunt Announcement   See Refuge News for complete hunting information.  A full Alligator Hunt Document is also on the link.  

  Fish Management Plan                   The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) will be beginning the process of writing a fish management plan. The Refuge will be hosting a scoping meeting to get comments on what the public would like included in such a plan. The scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at Wellington Community High School Performing Arts room, 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd, Wellington, FL 33415 at 6 PM. Please have any comments returned by email to rolf_olson@fws.gov or to the following address by, January 31, 2013.                                      

                                             Rolf Olson

                      Deputy Project Leader   

             ARM Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge    

                               10216 Lee Road               

                       Boynton Beach FL 33437

                            Loxahatchee Public Fish Letterhead                                                                                 

                  Fish Fact Sheet_FINAL
                

Special Event - September 13, 2012

Temporary Closing -- Lee Road Boat Dock and Bank Closed to Fishing. The fishing pier remains OPEN.Alligators are being fed in this area and we are closing the boat dock and bank in an effort to reduce the interaction between fisher persons and alligators.  If this does not work, we will close the fishing pier to fishing.       

                                                     

Current weather conditions at the Refuge


Come visit our $1-million, state-of-the-art Everglades Exhibition.

Please take your seat and stay seated during your trip. As you begin to move, the seats and floor vibrate, you feel the breeze blowing from the screen in front of you as your boat skims over the water. You are not on a ride at Disney World or on a real air boat ride in the middle of the Everglades. You are about to experience what is the most popular exhibit at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, a virtual Airboat Tour. Other informative and interactive exhibits and displays, include the history of the Refuge, Everglades Attitudes, the refuge Management Game, an American alligator “gator hole” diorama, a tribute to Arthur R. Marshall, and night sounds of the Everglades.

INVASIVE SNAKEHEAD ALERT

If you catch or see a snakehead, please call the Refuge Invasive Species Coordinator Lisa Jameson at 561-735-6025.Thanks for helping us protect our Refuge from this Everglades invader

Picture of Northern Snakehead fish

Northern Snakehead

The Refuge embarked upon a fish survey to determine if Channa spp. or snakehead had invaded as reported.  Of the 1,078 fish we caught and measured from eight sample locations, we caught no snakeheads. Snakeheads are native to Africa and Asia but are imported to the US as aquarium fish and for food.  They can cause ecological damage as they are top predators and have no natural enemies outside of their native habitats.  Remarkably, snakeheads can breathe atmospheric air and survive on land for up to four days!  They are also known to migrate up to ¼ mile on wet land to other water bodies by wiggling with their bodies and fins!Click here to find out more about our work More

 

Quick Links