An open letter from refuge management on the Pink House and updates on the public auction can be found online.
Applications for the berry picking lottery at Parker River are open July 1 - August 1! Winners will be notified in early August, and receive special permission to harvest beach plums and cranberries during set dates in the fall. This lottery is free to enter! Please note: All applications must be received online using the Rec Access system (https://parkerrivernwr.recaccess.com/). Each entrant MUST make and use their own account. Applications received by e-mail, phone, or mail will not be entered into the lottery, and be ineligible for a permit.
Greenhead flies, a type of biting horsefly, are most active at the refuge during the month of July. Please note: conditions change daily and we cannot provide a day-to-day update on fly conditions. We always recommend dressing to expect flies. This includes wearing light colors and long sleeves and pants.
As of April 1, the majority of the refuge beach is closed to all users to protect nesting piping plovers and other shorebirds. A small section of beach remains open at Lot 1. Thank you for respecting all signs, ropes, and gates while our most fragile visitors raise their families on our beach. Marsh-side access and all refuge trails remain open.
Visit Us
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service welcomes you to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge! National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Here, you can enjoy excellent wildlife-dependent recreational activities, including surf-fishing, wildlife observation and photography, a variety of interpretive programs, and seasonal waterfowl and deer hunting opportunities. A large visitor center - complete with a classroom and auditorium - supports many of these public uses.
Activities
At Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, wildlife come first. As you engage in recreational activities on the refuge, we appreciate your help maintaining this special place by following all rules and regulations. Information to help you recreate responsibly is included below.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Rules and Policies
In order to safeguard both wildlife and refuge visitors, please observe the following rules and regulations: