Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Northeast Region
 

73 Weir Hill Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
(978) 443-4661
FW5RW_EMNWR@fws.gov

Visitor Opportunities

"Take Me Fishing Day "at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in June 2010. Credit: USFWS
Fishing at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: USFWS

Dogs (or domestic animals of any kind) are not allowed on the refuge. To learn more about our dog policy, visit our FAQs.

Wildlife Observation and Photography

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a popular destination for birders and others who enjoy observing and photographing wildlife. Accessible trails at both the Concord and Sudbury units of the refuge provide visitors with a unique window through which to view and experience the natural world. The 2.5 mile trail system in Concord on Monsen Road provides the best wildlife viewing and photography on the refuge. This site has a restroom, a wildlife observation tower, a wildlife observation platform, and direct access to the Concord River.

We ask volunteers to stay on the trails in order to minimize disturbance to refuge wildlife and habitats.

For information on additional trails located on the refuge, please visit the refuge brochure section (top blue section) of this website.

Interpretation

Interpretive information and general information is posted on kiosks throughout the refuge. For interpretive trail guides for the trails at Weir Hill and the Concord Impoundments please see the "refuge brochure section" of the website.

Environmental Education

Refuge staff and volunteers provide a variety of environmental learning experiences for schools and other groups throughout the year. Occasionally scheduled workshops support the professional development needs of area teachers. The environmental education programming is centered out of the Visitor Center at the Assabet River NWR. If you are interested in these types of opportunities, please write or call the refuge at 978-562-3527.

Hunting

Parts of Great Meadows NWR are open for archery white-tailed deer and waterfowl hunting. For more information about our 2011 hunt program, please visit our hunting page.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed from boats on the Sudbury and Concord Rivers or from riverbanks in accordance with state regulations. No fishing from any refuge pond or the impoundments in Concord is allowed.

Hours and Regulations

The refuge headquarters and visitor contact station are open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday (closed on weekends). Refuge trails are open daily from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.

Parking Locations

Parking locations on the refuge include: Rte. 4 at the Billerica Trail in Billerica, Rte 225 in Carlisle at the Town of Carlisle Foss Farm to access refuge trails, and Pelham Island Road in Wayland for the Griscom Trail.

 

Getting painted at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: USFWS
Getting painted at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: USFWS

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.
Last updated: August 9, 2011