Visitor Opportunities

The Refuge provides important opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational activities involving hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. At various times during the year we must close to the public to carry out wildlife management plans, so it is best to check our web site or call prior to visiting. Organized groups are requested to contact the refuge to register their visits in advance.

General Guidelines
Entrance Fees
Wildlife Observation: Brigantine Division-Barnegat Division-Holgate
Holgate Usage Guidelines
Auditorium
General Hunting Guidelines
Boating and Fishing Opportunities
Vehicles

Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge Home Page

GENERAL GUIDELINES

The refuge's headquarters is located at its Brigantine Division on the mainland, at Oceanville, New Jersey. From Route 9 in Oceanville, visitors may enter the refuge via Great Creek Road, which ends at our entry gate. Headquarters is open weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wildlife Drive and trails are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. At various times during the year we must close the Wildlife Drive and trails to the public to carry out wildlife management plans, so it is best to check our web site or call prior to visiting. Organized groups are requested to contact the refuge to register their visits in advance.

The Refuge receives over 200,000 visitors each year. Cumulative impacts of this many visits on wildlife and habitat can be great. To ensure that we may continue to fulfill our primary mission of protecting and managing this Refuge for the benefit of wildlife, visitors are advised to comply with these simple guidelines and regulations.

Most of the Refuge's public use facilities are open only during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset). Be sure you know the hours for the area you're planning to visit.

Headquarters entrance road and Wildlife Drive speed limit is 15 mph or less, as posted.

Pets must be on a short, handheld leash.

Pets are prohibited at Holgate and at Graveling Point.

Where trails are open to the public, visitors are urged to remain on designated roads and trails, leaving adjacent habitat undisturbed for use by wildlife.

Obey all signs. They are there to protect wildlife for your benefit.

The following are prohibited on the Refuge:

Use of bicycles or motorized vehicles on trails.

Disturbing, injuring, destroying, collecting of plants, wildlife, or other natural objects.

Feeding wildlife.

Picking fruits or flowers.

Entering closed areas.

Camping, swimming, kite-flying, fires.

Horses, off-road vehicles, unlicensed motorized vehicles.

ENTRANCE FEES

Entrance fees are in effect every day at Forsythe Refuge's Wildlife Drive, and the foot trails associated with it. An important feature of Forsythe's entrance fee program allows 80% of revenues collected to be retained at the refuge. These funds will be used for recreation related expenses including; brochures, signage, facilities enhancement, trail/road maintenance, restoration associated with wildlife-dependent recreation, and public safety. Refuge officers routinely conduct compliance checks, and individuals entering the refuge without a valid entrance pass will be cited.

Daily Pass

Payment of the daily fee is on the honor system, and visitors may pay at either of two self-service payment sites. Visitors entering by private vehicle can purchase a daily entrance pass for $4.00, which will admit the purchaser and others accompanying in that vehicle. An individual who walks or bicycles in through our entrance gate must purchase a $2.00 daily pass. Children under 16 are admitted free.

Tour Groups - Commercial Vehicles
Entrance fees are based on the seating capacity of the vehicle (driver not included).
Up to 20 passengers: $20.00 per vehicle (16 years of age or older)
21 or more passengers: $30.00 per vehicle

Annual Passes

Refuge-Specific Annual Pass
Cost $12
Forsythe Annual Entrance Passes are valid one-year from date of purchase. This pass admits the pass owner and passengers of a private vehicle to entrance at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.

Federal Duck Stamp
Cost $15
Federal Duck Stamps are valid for one year (July 1-June 30). A Duck Stamp admits the stamp owner and passengers of a private vehicle to all national wildlife refuges which charge entrance fees.

America the Beautiful Pass Series
Starting January 1, 2007 the old Golden Age, Golden Eagle, and Golden Access Passes will be replaced with a new series of interagency passes called the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Passes can be purchased at the Refuge Headquarters Building Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During spring and fall months, passes can be purchased on weekends at the Friends Nature Store.

All National Parks Passes with Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Eagle, Golden Access and Golden Age Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper Golden Age and Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes.

America the Beautiful
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Annual Pass
Cost $80
This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of sale. The pass admits the pass holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (children under 16 are admitted free) The pass can be obtained in person at the refuge, by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass.

America the Beautiful
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Senior Pass
Cost $10
This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the refuge. The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

America the Beautiful
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Access Pass
Free
This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is required to obtain the pass. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the refuge. The Access Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

America the Beautiful
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Volunteer Pass
Free
This pass is for volunteers acquiring 500 service hours on a cumulative basis. It provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of award. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). Contact Sandy Perchetti at 609-748-1535 to learn about volunteer opportunities at the refuge.

Remember, your entrance fees help to protect wetlands, support refuge management programs for wildlife, and wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities for you!

WILDLIFE OBSERVATION

AT THE BRIGANTINE DIVISION

Most of the refuge's public use facilities are located at the Brigantine Division headquarters area in Oceanville, open daily sunrise to sunset. This site provides exceptional wildlife viewing, photography, and environmental education opportunities. Best wildlife viewing occurs in spring and fall. Biting insects abound from mid-May through mid-October. Ticks occur all year, and are most active during warmer months. Some ticks may carry Lyme disease, known to be harmful to humans. Insect repellent and other safety precautions are recommended.

Wildlife Drive: A leisurely eight-mile drive through wetlands and woodlands reveals wildlife visible from the roadway. Look for spectacular concentrations of migratory water birds in spring and fall, as they stop and linger in refuge habitats managed to meet their needs.

Nature Trails: A quiet foot traveler may see a variety of wildlife along these tranquil paths. Take time to notice the beauty of a wildflower, a butterfly feeding, and the hoof print of a deer... (Map of trails)

AT THE BRIGANTINE DIVISION

Leeds Eco-Trail. Extreme high tides damaged the Leeds Eco-Trail boardwalk. For your safety, the trail is temporarily closed.

Akers Woodland Trail. A quarter-mile easy walking path through native woodlands provides many seasonal opportunities to see migrating warblers.

Jen’s Trail. A three quarter-mile loop with a thirty-five foot elevation gain provides great views of the refuge and is a good place to see forest birds.

Songbird Trail. This 2.2 mile trail through a variety of upland habitats is an outstanding hike to view migratory songbirds. By returning along the Wildlife Drive, you can choose different loop options such as a 3.6 mile loop from Jen’s Trail or a 5 mile loop from refuge headquarters. Follow the blue blazes to stay on the main trail or take shorter loops by following the yellow or pink blazed spur trails. Be alert for vehicles on the Wildlife Drive.

Experimental Pool Overlook. This overlook is accessible to persons in wheelchairs. Two spotting scopes offer a view of the pool and surrounding habitats.

A Self-Service Visitor Information Area provides Bird checklists, Wildlife Drive and Refuge brochures, as well as recent wildlife sightings and other important information. Barrier free rest rooms are available.

The Friends of Forsythe Retail Sales Outlet is located next to the Information Booth. Open weekends in the spring and fall, look for environmental books, t-shirts, gifts, and other birding items.

AT THE BARNEGAT DIVISION

Wildlife viewing opportunities are seasonal in some areas of the Barnegat Division and year-round in others.

· Barnegat Observation Platform: Visitors can glimpse migratory water birds feeding and resting in the refuge's 600-acre Barnegat impoundment. The platform and boardwalk are located on Bay Shore Drive between Ridgeway and Edison Avenues, east of Route 9. We are pleased to provide this new birding opportunity to refuge visitors.

· The deCamp Wildlife Trail: This one-mile foot trail, located at Montoloking and Adamston Roads in Brick Township, offers visitors year-round opportunities to experience the tranquil beauty of refuge woodlands and wildlife. Its first 1300 feet are wide and flat, with benches -- and becoming moderately more difficult thereafter.

· Eno’s Pond: A one-mile self-guided nature trail loops its way through Pine Barrens to observation decks and a wildlife blind. The trail is a partnership between Ocean County Parks and Recreation and Edwin B. Forsythe NWR. A half-mile of the loop, on the county side, is an accessible trail.

AT THE HOLGATE UNIT (Updated decision September 30, 2002) Click here for Holgate Brochure (Adobe Reader required).

The Holgate Unit of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is located at the southern tip of Long Beach Island. It is 2½ miles long, and consists of more than 400 acres of barrier beach, dunes, and tidal saltmarsh. This pristine site is part of Forsythe Refuge's designated Wilderness Area offering visitors seasonal opportunities to observe its remarkable living plant and animal communities. As one of New Jersey's last undeveloped barrier beaches, Holgate is an important and productive area for beach-nesting birds -- including piping plovers.

The piping plover is listed by the federal government as threatened along the entire east coast. Holgate is one of the last nesting sites still available for these birds along the Jersey Shore. More than fifty other bird species nest at Holgate during the spring and summer seasons, including ospreys, black ducks, American oystercatchers, willets, and seaside sparrows. During non-nesting season -- approximately September 1 through March 31 -- visitors are welcome to walk Holgate's beach front, to take advantage of its plentiful wildlife viewing opportunities. (Sorry, pets are prohibited -- they can be harmful to both wildlife and this fragile habitat.) During the nesting season -- April 1 through August 31 -- Holgate is closed to all public access, to ensure undisturbed nesting conditions for threatened piping plovers and other beachnesters.

HOLGATE USAGE GUIDELINES

Year-'Round Regulations

Holgate's dunes, and all vegetated areas including the salt marsh, are closed to all public use or entry throughout the year. Just walking across dunes may harm stabilizing vegetation, and can result in erosion and loss of important wildlife habitat. (Closed Area signs delineate areas into which all entry is prohibited. NOTICE DAMAGE DONE BY TIRE TRACKS IN CLOSED AREA.)

Seasonal Regulations

Because Holgate is such an important site for beachnesting birds in spring and summer, regulations for public use of its beach front and south tip differ greatly by season:

Nesting Season - April 1 through August 31:

Holgate is closed to all public use, including boat landings, during this season. This helps to ensure that endangered piping plovers have high-quality, undisturbed nesting habitat. Spring and summer beach public use would interfere with refuge objectives, and with the refuge's established purposes. These dates may be adjusted based on actual use by beach-nesting birds. The southern tip of Holgate may be closed beyond September 1, to protect late-nesting black skimmers.

Non-Nesting Season - September 1 through March 31:

The beach front is open to pedestrians and four-wheel-drive vehicles for such wildlife-oriented activities as wildlife observation, photography, nature study, and fishing. Bayside mudflats may remain closed until later September to protect migrating shorebirds. (Drivers must possess a valid Long Beach Township beach buggy permit for the vehicle they are driving.) It is recommended that vehicles use the intertidal zone when possible. Its harder packed sands provide better traction than the loose sands of the beach. Occasionally some areas of Holgate's beach may not be accessible to vehicles due to ongoing, naturally occurring variations in beach width, or because of excessively high tides. Drivers must use caution, and not enter closed areas.

Prohibited Activities

Prohibited activities include entering closed areas -- including dunes and saltmarsh; disturbing wildlife or vegetation; feeding wildlife; possession and/or use of fireworks, or weapons/firearms; trapping; hunting; fires; and non-wildlife oriented activities such as ball or frisbee playing, kite flying, horseback riding, camping, use of metal detectors, and collecting of valued objects; speeding; careless driving. Pets are prohibited.

AUDITORIUM

Headquarters and Auditorium: The refuge headquarters building contains information and staff offices. The auditorium offers a touch table and bird egg display. Stop in and see the most dangerous creature on the earth. Spread your wings and see how large an eagle's wingspan is. See how small a hummingbird's wingspan is. Find out how far birds fly each season by viewing our migration displays.
The Headquarters and Auditorium, which are barrier free, are open weekdays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

GENERAL HUNTING GUIDELINES

Seasonal waterfowl and deer hunting, fishing, and crabbing are permitted in designated areas of both the Brigantine and Barnegat Divisions, under Federal and State regulations. Boats may be launched at the Brigantine Division's Scotts Landing boat ramp, located at the end of Scotts Landing Road, off Moss Mill Road, at Leeds Point. Please contact refuge headquarters for additional information, regulations and maps. See our hunting opportunities page for more information.

BOATING AND FISHING

Our boat launch is at Scott's Landing. From the south, take Route 9 north to Oceanville. Go to Leed's Point Road, which is the first street after passing Great Creek Road traffic light. Turn right and follow to Moss Mill Road. Turn right. Sign for Scott's Landing will be on the right side. From north, take Route 9 south to Smithville. Turn left on Moss Mill Road which is the main intersection in Smithville. Continue on Moss Mill Road to sign for Scott's Landing on right side.

Freshwater fishing opportunities are provided at Lily Lake (Atlantic County, Galloway Township), including bank fishing from the south shore and boat fishing. Boats at Lily Lake may not have internal combustion engines.

We offer saltwater fishing opportunities at: (See area map for more details)

Cedar Creek (Ocean County, Stafford Township) off Stafford Avenue
Cedar Run Creek (Ocean County, Eagleswod Townshiip) off Cedar Run Dock Road
Parker Run (Ocean County, Little Egg Harbor Township) off Dock Road
Graveling Point (Ocean County, Little Egg Harbor Township) near the end of Radio Road
Holgate Unit (Ocean County, Long Beach Island) at the south end of the island. (Note: The Holgate Unit is open to pedestrians during the non-nesting season: September 1 through March 31 or as posted).
Little Beach Island is accessible with a Special Use Permit only. Call the refuge office for details.

VEHICLES

To protect fish and wildlife and the habitat upon which they depend, motor vehicles must stay on main roads and in designated parking areas. Do not drive on the dikes, service roads or off-road. ATV's, snowmobiles or other off-road vehicles are not permitted.

Updated March 7, 2007

Contact E. B. Forsythe NWR