Visit Us
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. The refuge is not on the shores of Lake Erie, but lies in Crawford County, 35 miles south of the city of Erie and Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. Erie is the only refuge in the nation protecting endangered northern riffleshell and clubshell mussels. French Creek, the most biologically diverse stream in Pennsylvania, flows near the Refuge where over 80 species of native fish are found. The refuge is designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society and attracts more than 230 species of birds.
Refuge Headquarters is located off Route 198E at 11296 Wood Duck Lane, Guys Mills, PA 16327-- 3/4 mile east of Guys Mills and 10 miles east of Meadville.
Activities
At the Erie NWR visitors will be able to become one with nature through the various activities at the refuge. Hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, environmental interpretation/education, and wildlife photography are all things that you can experience at the Erie NWR.
Just for Kids
Let's Go Birding!
Erie National Wildlife Refuge is offering a free program for children who want to be a part of the fast growing world of birding. Obtain a copy of the "Let's Go Birding" booklet from the refuge office or download it by clicking here.
Once you complete the activities, turn in the booklet to receive an embroidered "Let's Go Birding" patch, a certificate of participation and have your picture taken to be added to Erie National Wildlife Refuge Wall of Fame.
Be a Nature Explorer!
You’re Invited to Explore Erie National Wildlife Refuge. The “Nature Explorer Program” turns children into nature detectives who must complete tasks or answer questions about the refuge.
Obtain a copy of the "Nature Explorer" booklet from the refuge office or download it by clicking here and start exploring. Once you complete the activities, turn in the booklet to receive an embroidered "Nature Explorer" patch and a certificate of participation.
Trails
Refuge trails, boardwalks, and kiosks provide family-friendly wildlife viewing areas. Need help navigating? Print your own trail map on the Visit Us page, or pick up one of the yellow trail description brochures when you arrive on the refuge.
Interactive StoryMaps
Virtual Wildflower Walks
We also offer a virtual hike along the Refuge's Trolley Line trail, co-hosted by the Foundation for Sustainable Forests, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry, and Erie NWR. The Lynn Firth Virtual Wildflower Walk follows the 1.9-mile Trolley Line trail, guiding viewers through the history of the trail and the various spring ephemerals one may encounter along the trail from April to May.
Virtual Paddle Tour of the Dynamic Muddy Creek
The Seneca Division provides public access for enjoying wildlife through two amazing trails: the Trolley Line Trail and Muddy Creek Holly Trail, however, much of the interior of the Division is difficult to access due to the many creeks, streams, and wetlands that lie within the center of the Muddy Creek basin. Many of the larger creeks that pass through the Division are inaccessible for other public uses, like paddling, due to dangerous build-ups of log jams.
To provide an alternative means of exploring the Division, the refuge is happy to offer a virtual, interactive StoryMap , so that visitors may experience the diverse aquatic wildlife and habitats of Muddy Creek from the comfort of their own homes. Showcasing the Division's biodiversity virtually also helps to minimize disturbances to the sensitive species that thrive within these habitats.
The StoryMap highlights the wildlife, habitats, and dynamic processes that have shaped the backbone of Erie NWR's Seneca Division and can be viewed from a desktop, tablet, or mobile device.
Related Documents
Other Facilities in the Complex
Rules and Policies
There are lots of fun, interesting, and educational things you can do on the refuge. Keep in mind, if an activity is not wildlife related and doesn't help in the protection or understanding of wildlife or their habitat, there are probably refuge rules governing this activity. Generally, the grounds are open daily, one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Have fun!