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.

A small bird at the beach
BEACH CLOSURE IN EFFECT

Refuge beaches south of the Lot 1 boardwalk are now closed until further notice to protect nesting Piping Plovers and other shorebirds. Beach access from Lot 1 is open. If you would like to learn more about Piping Plovers and why these closures exist, please follow this link.

Located along the northeast coast of Massachusetts in an area of dense and expanding human development, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge has special significance and value to migratory birds, other wildlife, and people. The refuge also provides high-quality opportunities for nature-based recreation, including walking & biking, wildlife observation & photography, hunting, fishing, paddling, and beach use. We hope you visit us soon!

Latest News

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Get Involved
Brush Piles - A Safe Space for Wildlife
Brush piles are more than messy collections of woody debris. They provide important habitat for critters, and improve soil quality. Read more to learn about how they provide homes for small mammals and have a place in all of our gardens, or come check out the brush piles by the Parker River...
Painting of mallard in water
History and Culture
May Artist in Residence
As a way to regularly highlight the creativity of our local community, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, in collaboration with Friends of Parker River, hosts an artist-in-residence program, that features art from the nearby area. Below is the narrative from the current artist Patti Kelly in...
Northern Leopard Frog
Wildlife Wonders
Frog song offers natural soundtrack
Frogs and toads fill the evening air with their songs. Though not meant for us, the sounds can teach and entertain.
Painting of shoreline
History and Culture
April Artist in Residence
As a way to regularly highlight the creativity of our local community, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, in collaboration with Friends of Parker River, hosts an artist-in-residence program, that features art from the nearby area. Below is the narrative from the current artist Patty Lane Evans...
Image of example shorebird sign
For Parents and Educators
Call for Youth Artists!
The Annual Beach Sign Youth Art Contest is back, and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is calling on all youth to help spread the word about the importance of beaches to shorebirds. Winning artwork from each age category will be used as Refuge signs to educate beachgoers about minimizing...
Image of beach front with trees
History and Culture
March Artist in Residence
As a way to regularly highlight the creativity of our local community, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, in collaboration with Friends of Parker River, hosts an artist-in-residence program, that features art from the nearby area. Below is the narrative from the current artist, Oksana Zotkina,...
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Visit Us

Image of families sitting in a garden listening to a story being read
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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 using the links below:

Pass Types & Fees

Paid Passes

Free Passes

If purchasing passes at the refuge, payment can be made by cash or check only. Please call ahead to ensure that someone will be able to sell you a pass when you wish to come. Alternatively, most passes can be purchased online through Rec Access or USGS. 

Location and Contact Information

      Tours

      Image of school group during a beach program
      Image Details

      To schedule a program, tour, or field trip of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, contact us at 978-465-5753, or via email at parkerriver@fws.gov.

      Our Species

      Grey, white and black bird on sand in the foreground

      Size: 18 cm (7.25 in) in length. Color: Breeding season: Pale brown above, lighter below; black band across forehead; bill orange with black tip; legs orange; white rump. Male: Complete or incomplete black band encircles the body at the breast. Female: Paler head band; incomplete breast band....

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species

      Our Library

      Alternative Beaches & Recreation Areas
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      Alternative Beaches & Recreation Areas

      Parker River NWR periodically closes due to capacity and/or management requirements. But fear not! There are many local beaches and recreation areas to explore.

      PDF
      Parker River Accessibility Guide.pdf
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      Parker River Accessibility Guide.pdf
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