Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Visit Us

The refuge is open everyday of the year from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.  

Our administrative office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am-4:00pm. The refuge does not charge an entrance fee; however you many obtain Federal Duck Stamps during administrative office hours. 

The visitor center is open daily year round from 9:00am to 4:00pm, weather and volunteer dependant. The visitor center is wheelchair accessible and has educational displays and videos. The visitor center features multimedia exhibits, an auditorium where visitors can view nature films, information on things to do and places to see, and the Friends Store at Prime Hook gift shop (operated by the Friends of Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge).

The refuge offers a memorable experience for everyone. Avid photographers can enjoy the beauty of wildlife from a photography blind and wheel-chair accessible observation platform. Visitors can connect with nature by strolling down six miles of walking trails or from their vehicles along the four State roads crossing through the refuge. Hunters flock to Prime Hook for deer, waterfowl, upland game birds, and other small game. Two ponds and our seven-mile Prime Hook Creek offer fishing and canoeing opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enhance their understanding of natural resources through festivals, lecture & environmental education programs, and interpretive displays and activities.

Related Documents

Maps and Resources:

BirdFeed.pdf
Prime Hook NWR Canoe Trail Brochure

pdf brochure for the canoe trail at Prime Hook NWR

prime-hook-deer-hunting-2022-23.pdf

Prime Hook NWR 2022-23 Deer Hunting Rules and Regulations.

prime-hook-upland-hunting-2022-23.pdf

Prime Hook NWR Upland Game Hunting Rules and Regulations 2022-23

prime-hook-waterfowl-hunting-2022-23.pdf

Prime Hook NWR Waterfowl hunting Rules and Regulations 2022-23

headquarters-graves-map-2022-23.pdf

Prime Hook NWR Headquarters and Graves Unit Hunting Map 2022-23

Prime Hook NWR Island Farm Unit Hunt Map 2022-23

jefferson-lofland-millman-tracts-hunt-map-2022-23.pdf

Prime Hook NWR Jefferson-Lofland and Millman Tracts Hunt Map 2022-23

Prime Hook NWR Lottery Waterfowl Hunt Map 2022-23

migratory-bird-hunt-report PHNWR-2022-23.pdf

Prime Hook NWR Migratory Bird Hunt Harvest Report 2022-23

prime-hook-north-hunt-map-2022-23.pdf

Prime Hook NWR 

Prime Hook North, Cods Road Area, and Oak Island Hunt Map

primehook-south-hunt-map-2022-23.pdf

Prime Hook NWR

Prime Hook South Hunt Unit Map 2022-23

slaughter-canal-fowlers-north-hunt-map-2022-23.pdf

Prime Hook NWR

Slaughter Canal, Fowlers North & South Hunt Unit Map 2022-23

Rules and Policies

The refuge is open 1⁄2-hour before sunrise until 1⁄2-hour after sunset. This is a carry-in, carry-out facility. Please take all trash with you. Please do not abandon wild or domestic animals on the refuge. Abandoned animals can introduce disease into refuge wildlife populations or prey on native species.

Remember this is 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
. Disturbing, destroying or removing vegetation, wildlife or facilities is a crime. Enjoy your visit here. Please respect the land, the wildlife and other visitors. Remember — take only memories or photographs, and leave only footprints.

Locations

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
11978 Turkle Pond RoadMilton,DE19968-3759
Driving Directions

The refuge lies within two hours driving time from metropolitan Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Wilmington, Delaware; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 22 miles southeast of the State capital of Dover. 

From Route 1, take Route 16 east for 1.1 miles toward Broadkill Beach; turn left onto Turkle Pond Road and travel 1.6 miles to the refuge office, visitor center, and Friends Store at Prime Hook.