A child points a bow to a target.
Let's Go Outside - Saturday June 3: 10am - 3pm

Join this FREE event to try fishing, archery, kayaking, meet tide pool critters, make art, and more! This is an open streets event - bike, walk, roll, or take a free shuttle down the refuge road. Please note: the refuge will delay opening to all vehicles until 10am. There will be NO beach access for swimming or sunbathing until the event ends. Parking provided at Lot 1 and the visitor center.

Established in 1992, Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located along the eastern shore of New Hampshire's Great Bay in the town of Newington. The refuge protects more than 1,000 acres along the seacoast for migratory birds and other wildlife. It is one of the longest stretches of undeveloped shoreline along the bay, and consists of mud flats, salt and freshwater marshes, swamps, ponds, streams, woodlands and fields. These diverse habitats support many plants and animals native to the area, including New Hampshire's greatest concentration of wintering bald eagles, and several state-listed rare and endangered species.

The rich and varied habitats of the refuge provide wildlife and visitors alike with a place to rest and recharge. Several recreational opportunities are available for visitors to watch wildlife, hike, bike, and hunt on the refuge.

Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge is managed by Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. For more information, please contact Parker River at (978) 465-5753. The general email address for Great Bay NWR is parkerriver@fws.gov

Latest News

A view of the ocean from land. In the distance is a water and rocky shore. In the foreground is a large rock formation and green vegetation
Recreation
The Wildlife Refuges of I-95
This story presents a state-by-state glance at national wildlife refuges where travelers seeking a nature break might stop along I-95. It includes expert tips about what a visitor might do and see during a one-hour stop at each refuge.
A stream cutting through a beautiful forest, whose trees' leaves are orange, yellow, red and green
Wildlife Wonders
Fall for Autumn
Many of the 72 national wildlife refuges in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Northeast Region are gorgeous places for fall walks. This story takes a photo tour of a few of them.
a view over a lake of a mountain with trees in fall foliage and reflected in the water
Wildlife Wonders
A fall foliage tour of the Northeast
Follow the fall foliage on a tour of the Northeast national wildlife refuges.
a silvery-blue butterfly with black margin wings sitting on green vegetation
Endangered Species Act
Karner blue butterfly recovery in New Hampshire
Efforts to protect the endangered Karner blue benefit other at-risk butterflies
A large white-gray bird gull on an ocean beach with nine much smaller birds (sanderlings) next to it
Recreation
Why I Took These Shots #9
This is one in a series of articles in which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff members reflect on favorite photos they have taken at national wildlife refuges. It features former visitor services manager MATT POOLE and Parker River National National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts and Great Bay...
a raised, wooden platform trail snakes through a mature forest
Recreation
Wheelchair-accessible trails of the Northeast
Explore the scenic and accessible trails on national wildlife refuges in the Northeast, from Maine to Virginia.
View All News

Visit Us

image of great bay in new hampshire from a platform
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Come explore YOUR  national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Learn more about national wildlife refuge  by visiting during open hours, or joining one of our programs!

The refuge supports a wide variety of wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities. You can learn more about how to enjoy some of our popular activities by following the links below:

  • Walking
  • Biking
  • Wildlife Observation & Photography
  • Hunting
  • Volunteering

Location and Contact Information