Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge is a northern treasure in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It consists of nearly 30,000 acres of federally protected lands in northeastern coastal Maine. The refuge's landscape is varied, with rolling hills, large ledge outcrops, streams, lakes, bogs, and marshes. The diversity of forests and wetlands provides habitat for over 225 species of birds, endangered species, resident wildlife and rare plants. A northern hardwood forest of aspen, maple, birch, spruce and fir dominates the upland. Scattered stands of majestic white pine are common. The Edmunds Division boasts several miles of rocky shoreline where tidal fluctuations of up to 24 feet occur twice a day.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
Bald eagle with young chick perched on elevated wooden platform.
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Over 50 miles of refuge trails and roads provide excellent opportunities for wildlife observation in many different upland and wetland habitats at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to the refuge’s roads and trails, there are 2 wildlife viewing platforms that can be accessed from the Charlotte Road. The eagle viewing platform is one of the best bald eagle public viewing locations in the state of Maine.

Latest News

A kayaker paddling today a setting sunset on a pond surrounded by evergreen trees
Recreation
Why I Took These Shots #3
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 refuge manager KEITH RAMOS and Maine's Moosehorn National Wildlife 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 woman cross-country skiing on a snow-covered trail with directional signs in the foreground and forest in the background
Recreation
A Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Poet Robert Frost wrote: “You can’t get too much winter in the winter.” If you enjoy clean, crisp air and the great outdoors, winter is a special time of year at national wildlife refuges in northern latitudes.
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Visit Us

Black bear appearing in clearing
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How many times have to visited the refuge and looked for more than a moose, a bald eagle or a bear? Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for a great variety of species. Sometimes we only focus on the bigger and more charismatic, but don’t miss out on enjoying the diversity your refuge has to offer regardless of their size. Come out and enjoy your National Wildlife Refuge.

Can't visit us in person? Check out this video by Biological Technician Jordan Darley and Refuge Manager Keith Ramos (video edited by Jordan Darley).

 

Location and Contact Information

      Our Organization

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 560 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington, DC

      Our Species

       

      American woodcock
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      American Woodcock

      American woodcock (Scolopax minor) are studied and managed intensively at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Timberdoodle, mud-sucker, and mud bat are all local names for the woodcock. Unlike their relatives, these reclusive shorebirds have evolved to live in the forests of eastern North America. 

      American woodcock
      American Woodcock
      Species
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      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species
      American Black Duck
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      Animalia
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      Species
      North American River Otter
      northern river otter
      river otter
      common otter
      FWS Focus
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      Kingdom
      Animalia
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      Species

      Get Involved

      There are a variety of ways to get involved at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers, summer interns and the friends group all greatly contribute to the refuge. Visit our Get Involved page to learn ways in which you can help.

      Projects and Research

      The staff at Moosehorn manages the refuge for a variety of habitats to support diverse wildlife. Learn more about grassland, wetland, wilderness and fire management by clicking the link below.