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Visitor Opportunities

Wildlife observation on the refuge. Credit: Marijke Hotrop

The refuge is open for wildlife observation, photography, hunting, fishing, environmental education and interpretation. The Visitor Center serves to teach about the eight refuges in the Eastern Massachusetts Complex, but emphasizes is given to the local wildlife and habitats you will find at Assabet River NWR. There are interactive exhibits, such as pull out drawers with specimens inside, wildlife sounds and question/answer panels. If you are bringing kids, ask for a scavenger hunt to match the taxidermy animals with their habitat! Children also love the “Night Room” which is an interactive showing of the wildlife you will see and hear at night.

Wildlife Exhibits of the Eastern Mass Complex

Aside from local wildlife exhibits, the Visitor Center also features indoor and outdoor panels that examine the history of the area. These exhibits focus on early Native American inhabitation of the SUASCO Watershed, European farming settlements of the area, and the military occupation of the former Fort Devens Sudbury Annex which covered the land which is now the refuge. Various artifacts found in the refuge are also on display. The exhibits also highlight the green features of the Visitor Center, as well as conservation heroes that have shaped the environmental movement. The panels will show what goes into your carbon footprint, but also hopes to inspire you to take action.

Hours and Regulations

The refuge is open from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. A total of 15 miles of trails and roads are open for wildlife-dependent public use at the refuge. Visitors are asked to remain on refuge trails.

If you would like to plan a environmental-based program at the refuge or if you would like to schedule a visit, please contact us at 1-978-562-3527.
Programs

We are not currently charging a fee for use of the refuge trails or parking area. We may institute a fee program in the future.

All of the refuge lands are closed to horses and motorized vehicles. Dogs and domestic pets of any kind are not allowed. Bicycles are allowed on Winterberry Way, Harry's Way, Taylor Way, White Pond Road and Patrol Road ONLY. There are no picnic areas or campsites on the refuge, however we do have benches placed throughout the refuge for visitors.

Parking is available at the main entrance on Hudson Road, at the Visitor Center, at Puffer Pond on Winterberry Way, all in Sudbury and at the end of White Pond Road in Stow.

Please be aware that vehicles operated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Air Force staff, volunteers and contractors, may be operating on refuge roads and trails.

Multipurpose Room

The multipurpose room serves as a meeting space at the Visitor Center. For large meetings and presentations it can accommodate over 75 people. The room comes with movable chairs and tables and can be set up in a variety of different ways. State of the art audio-visual equipment including projectors, a Blu-ray player, wireless microphones and interactive white board are also available. The room can also be divided in half to provide for multiple meetings at once. The room is currently available for rental for mission related organizations. For a complete list of room regulations click here.

Nature Store

The Assabet Nature Store is operated by the Friends of the refuge and features items highlighting local wildlife and history. Field guides ranging from birds to animal tracks, to wildflowers are available as well as great wildlife themed toys and activities for children. Books on the surrounding area and historic maps of prior uses of the refuge can also be purchased.
Environmentally friendly restrooms are located inside the visitor center, next to the Nature Store.
Restrooms inside

Refuge Trails

To help you plan your visit to the refuge, please consider the following trail lengths:

Petapawag Trail	0.9 miles	Tri-Town Trail	1.2 miles
Harry's Way	1.8 miles	Pine Garden Trail	0.3 miles
Towhee Trail	1.0 mile	Hill Trail	0.4 miles
Otter Alley	0.3 miles	Puffer Pond Trail	0.4 miles
Powerline Trail	0.2 miles	Kingfisher Trail	0.1 miles
Winterberry Way	1.5 miles	Carbary's Trail	0.4 miles
Patrol Road, south	0.8 miles	Taylor Way	1.8 miles
White Pond Rd	1.5 miles	Fisher Loop	2.3 miles
Sandbank Trail	0.1 miles	Mink Link	0.1 miles
Tebassa Trail	0.1 miles	Sweet Fern Trail	0.3 miles

The large wetland complex and the contiguous forested areas found here today are important feeding and breeding areas for migratory birds. We ask that you help conserve this unique natural habitat and minimize disturbance to wildlife by staying on designated trails.

Hunting

The refuge is open for Spring turkey, white-tailed deer (archery, shotgun, muzzleloader), American woodcock, ruffed grouse, Eastern cottontail rabbit, and gray squirrels. Hunting is allowed subject to refuge regulations, State and Federal laws and permit restrictions. The most intense hunt period is during the shotgun deer season which is typically early December. Other than the deer season, hunt pressure is generally light. For more information about hunting on the refuge, please visit our hunting page.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed at Puffer Pond near Puffer Pond Trail at the Barron Fishing Access Site. It is catch and release only. Live bait cannot be used, and ice fishing is prohibited.

Fishing is also allowed from non-motorized boats (canoes/kayaks). Please contact the Visitor Center at 978-562-3527 for parking and access related questions.

For more information please visit http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/fishing/fishing_home.htm.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is a national educational program to inform visitors about reducing the damage caused by outdoor activities, particularly non-motorized recreation. Leave No Trace principles and practices are based on an abiding respect for the natural world and our fellow wildland visitors. We can act on behalf of the places and wildlife that inspire us by adopting the skills and ethics that enable us to Leave No Trace.

1. Plan ahead and prepare.
2. Travel on durable surfaces.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Respect wildlife.
6. Be considerate of other visitors.

For more information on Leave No Trace, visit the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics Web site. (http://www.lnt.org)

The large wetland complex and the contiguous forested areas found here today are important feeding and breeding areas for migratory birds. We ask that you help conserve this unique natural habitat and minimize disturbance to wildlife by staying on designated trails.