Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Q. What are the Refuge hours?

A. The Refuge is open everyday of the year from ½ before sunrise to ½ after sunset.

Q. What are the Visitor Contact Station hours?

A. The Visitor Contact Station and Friends Store is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. The Visitor Center is open on the weekends from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from April 1 to Thanksgiving and on a limited schedule after Thanksgiving.  For staffing availability, call the Refuge before visiting.

Q. How do I contact Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?

• Phone - (302) 684-8419
• Fax - (302) 684-8504
• Mail - 11978 Turkle Pond Road, Milton, DE 19968
• Email - FW5RW_PHNWR@fws.gov

A. No. There are local businesses in the area that rent out canoes/kayaks.

Q. How much is the boat ramp fee?

A. Self-service launch fees are $1.00 for daily use. If you have a Interagency Senior Passport or Interagency Access Passport you, receive a 50% discount.

Q.  Is there a fee for hunting?

A.  Yes.  Permit fees are required for hunting when in season.  Please refer to refuge-specific hunting regulations for more information.  http://primehook.fws.gov/hunting%20&%20fishing.html

Q. Does the Refuge charge an entrance fee?

A. No.

Q. What Passes does the Refuge sell?

• Federal Duck Stamp - the cost is $15.00 per year and is valid from July 1 to June 30 the following year. The Federal Duck Stamp will admit you and your passengers into all National Wildlife Refuges.
• Interagency Annual Pass - the cost is $80.00 per year, valid from the time of purchase.
  
• Interagency Senior Pass - this lifetime pass costs $10.00 and is available to legal citizens or permanent residents aged 62 or older.
• Interagency Access Pass - this lifetime pass is free and is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are permantly disabled.
  

A. The directions are as follows:

To Prime Hook from Norfolk, VA and Southern Delmarva

Take US 13 north from Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Continue north into Delaware on US 13 or 113 (Pokomoke, MD) to Delaware Route 16. Take Delaware Route 16 east to Delaware Route 1 east of Milton, Stay on Route 16 going east toward Broadkill Beach. At 1.1 miles east of Delaware Route 1 turn left onto Turkle Pond Road (refuge sign posted). Follow Turkle Pond Road, 1.6 mi to office/visitor contact station.

To Prime Hook from Washington/Baltimore, MD

From BWI - take I 97 South to US 50. Take US 50 east the to Bay Bridge. After crossing the Bay Bridge continue east on Route 50 to MD 404 (Delaware Beaches/Rehoboth Beach). Take 404 east to State Route 16 (Maryland Rt. 16) east of Denton, MD. Follow Route 16 east to Delaware then Delaware Route 16 east to State Route 1 east of Milton, DE (crossing USA 13 & 113) to Delaware Route 1. Continue on Route 16 east toward Broadkill Beach 1.1 mile east of Route1(see above) turn left onto Turkle Pond Road. (Refuge sign posted). Follow Turkle Pond Road, 1.6 mi to office/visitor contact station.

To Prime Hook from New Jersey, Philadelphia Area

Follow I-95 south to Delaware 1 (new roadway). Follow Delaware 1 south - the road will be partially limited access, partially old US 13/Delaware 1. Follow south to Dover Air Force Base. At end of expressway follow US 113 south to Milford (+ 15 mi). At Milford Take Route 1 south (Rehoboth Beach). Approximately 15 mi south of Milford the first traffic light is the intersection of Route 1 and Route 16 (refuge sign posted). Turn left on State Route 16. Follow Route 16 east to toward Broadkill Beach. At 1.1 miles down the road turn left onto Turkle Pond Road. Follow Turkle Pond Road, 1.6 mi to office/visitor contact station.

Accessing a computer program for directions

The address to use for the destination is:

11978 Turkle Pond Road
Milton, DE 19968

Q. Where are the closest accommodations, local restaurants, local attractions and camping sites?

A. For local information about accommodations, restaurants, camping and area attracations check the Sussex County Convention and Tourism Commission website, www.visitsoutherndelaware.com, Visit Delaware, www.visitdelaware.com. Local attractions in Milton checkout Historic Milton website, www.historicmilton.com. Check the State Parks website, www.destateparks.com for camping, birding and activities.
 
 
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