Plan Your Visit

Blue spotted salamander - USFWS.

Know Before You Go

  • Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.
  • Insect repellent is very important to have when venturing down trails.
  • Wear comfortable clothing suited for the season.
  • Take maps and guides (which are located at the kiosks) to assist you.
  • This is a wildlife refuge; therefore, respect the animal’s space at all times.

Points of Interest

  • The Nashua River connects the northern and southern entrances of the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. Beautiful in all seasons, the Nashua River has two boat launches on refuge property. The northern boat launch is located at our Bill Ashe Visitor Facility at 80 Hospital Road in Devens MA. The southern boat launch is located at our Still River Depot Road entrance in Harvard MA.
  • The Bill Ashe Visitor Contact Station is the site of interpretive and educational programs. Please contact the main office (978-443-4661) for program information. 

Directions & Contact Info

For Still River Depot Road entrance: from Massachusetts Route 2, take Exit 38 (Route 110/111) south toward Harvard; bear right to stay on Route 110 at Harvard Center; and, turn right onto Still River Depot Road at the Still River Post Office. The refuge parking area is at the end of Still River Depot Road. Please use Still River as the town instead of Harvard for GPS navigation.

For Bill Ashe Visitor Facility and Canoe Launch: from Massachusetts Route 2, take Exit 37B north on Jackson Road toward Devens; go through the traffic light and make a left on Givry Street; bear to the left onto Hospital Road; after passing by New England Studios, either make your first left into the Bill Ashe Visitor Facility parking lot or make your second left 

Harvard, MA
c/o Great Meadows NWR
73 Weir Hill Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
(978) 443-4661

fw5rw_emnwr@fws.gov