Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we ask that you recreate responsibly.

  • Check alerts and local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information. Operations vary based on local public health conditions.
  • Consistent with CDC recommendations, all visitors (age 2 and older), who are fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask inside of federal buildings in areas of substantial or high community transmission.. All visitors who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick and continue to watch for symptoms of COVID-19 and follow CDC guidance on how to protect yourself and others.


Features

  • Prescribed Burning at Prime Hook NWR

    Prescribed burning will tentatively take place beginning March 8th thru March 19, 2021 and will be contingent upon optimal burn conditions.

    News Release

  • Portions of Fowler Beach to Close

    Portions of Fowler Beach to Close for 2021 Beach-nesting Season

    Press Release

  • Closure of Portions of Prime Hook Creek

    The easternmost three miles of Prime Hook Creek will be closed from Sept 1, 2020 - March 15, 2021, during the waterfowl hunt season.

    Press Release Creek Closure 2020

  • Back-barrier Salt Marsh

    Marsh and Water Monitoring Network

    Stay up to date with roadside water levels.

    Prime Hook NWR Marsh and Water Monitoring Network

Around the Refuge

2020-2021 Hunting Opportunities

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Hunting, which is identified by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 as one of the six wildlife-dependent recreational uses on refuges, is a very popular form of recreation at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

Hunting Information

2020 Lecture Schedule

Check out the list of lectures scheduled for 2020 at Prime Hook NWR.

2020 Lecture Schedule

Delmarva Fox Squirrel Sightings

Delmarva Fox Squirrel

Have you seen one of these? We are mapping the sightings of the Delmarva fox squirrel. The Delmarva fox squirrel has recently been delisted and is no longer classified as a Federally endangered or threatened species. However, monitoring of this species will continue for 10 years to insure it is still doing well. We are mapping the distribution of this animal and are looking for photos or observations you may have made while visiting the refuge. If you have seen a fox squirrel please print the attached sighting report and turn it into the Visitor Contact Station located at 11978 Turkle Pond Road, Milton, DE. 19968, or call 302-684-8419 if you have any questions.

Delmarva Fox Squirrel sighting report
Marsh Restoration

Marsh Restoration

Salt marsh - USFWS.

Restoration to back-barrier salt marsh habitats from currently degraded open water conditions will rely on re-building dunes, restoring edaphic factors, hydrological and salinity regimes needed to support the natural recolonization of smooth saltmarsh grasses in Unit II and parts of Unit III.

Read the latest marsh restoration updates.

Planning

Comprehensive Conservation Planning

Front cover of the CCP - USFWS.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved a final CCP for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The CCP will serve as a guide for managing wildlife conservation and visitor services programs on the refuge for the next 15 years. Visit the CCP page to learn more about the planning process and to download the CCP.

Comprehensive Conservation Planning

About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

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The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
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