Weather, repairs, and wildlife management activities have led to the temporary closures of several refuge roads to vehicles and/or general public access. The descriptions below summarize current road status as of October 5, 2026. A complete map of the refuge can be found in the Refuge Tearsheet.
If you're new to the refuge, the red Wildlife Drive is a good place to start exploring. Note that it does not make a loop--you can build your own route across the refuge. Some suggested routes are listed on the Auto Tour page.
The refuge is open during daylight hours (half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset).
Milltail and Long Curve Roads
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge staff witnessed and were notified of multiple incidents of dangerous human-bear interactions, including black bears approaching and leaning on cars. Animals that are habituated to human presence pose significant dangers to both humans and animals because of the risk of aggressive encounters, disease transmission, and property damage. In order to protect public safety, the refuge closed parts of Milltail and Long Curve Roads.
Following declining bear activity in this area, the refuge is re-opening Milltail Road.
You can do your part to protect yourself, others, and wildlife by giving bears space, viewing wildlife quickly and moving on, and never feeding wildlife. The refuge will continue monitoring bear activity and may implement additional restrictions if needed.
Upper and Lower Creef Units
The Upper Creef Unit lies east of Milltail Road and north of Link Road and includes Gadwall, Bobcat, Creef, Sprigtail, and Peterson Roads.
Roads on the Upper Creef Unit are currently open to motorized vehicles. Creef Cut Rd on the north end of the unit is open for walking or biking. Some roads are natural-surface and may be in poor condition--use good judgement when driving in the unit. Do not enter farm fields under cultivation.
The Lower Creef unit is located between Link, Bear, Borrow Pit, and Long Curve Roads.
Link Road and Bear Road between Link and Grouse Roads have been reopened to public entry. The farm fields between Link, Bear, and Grouse Roads have been reopened. Do not enter farm fields under cultivation.
The no stopping, standing, or parking restrictions have been lifted. The refuge will continue monitoring wildlife and human activity around the area and will adjust management as needed. Updates to the road closures will be posted on the refuge website.
Please be mindful of your behaviors and actions at all times when on the refuge. When wildlife are habituated to the presence of people, it reduces their normal fear responses. Instead of avoiding areas of human activity and fleeing at the sight of people, the animals may choose to approach or remain closer than is natural. Acclimating to people may increase the likelihood of incidents that are detrimental to their survival, such as vehicle strikes.
Follow these viewing guidelines:
- Use binoculars or a zoom lens to view wildlife from a distance—at least 100 yards or eight school buses.
- If wildlife approaches you on foot or in a vehicle, move back to stay 100 yards away. It is very important to keep wildlife from growing comfortable to humans or vehicles. Recent closures have been triggered by incidents of visitors and wildlife too close together.
- If animals react to your presence, you are too close.
- Don’t linger in one spot for a long time--give wildlife time to use that area without human presence.
- It’s illegal to feed, touch, tease, or intentionally disturb wildlife.
Be careful when driving to protect wildlife as well. Be sure to always follow the speed limits and watch for wildlife that may dart into the road. When you want to stop to watch wildlife, pull your vehicle to the right side of the road, do not block traffic, and move on once you've had a good look.
Red Wolf Recovery Program staff monitor red wolf activity on the refuge. The most reliable source for current information about red wolves is the Red Wolf Recovery Program website.
Twiford Unit
The Twiford Unit is the area between Milltail and Buffalo City Roads and north of Sawyer Lake Road. The Twiford Unit is currently open to motorized access through October. Sawyer Lake Road is open to motorized vehicles.
Laurel Bay Unit
The Laurel Bay Unit is the area west of Buffalo City Road and east of Pump Road.
Roads in the Laurel Bay Unit are currently open to motorized vehicles through October. Some roads are natural-surface and may be in poor condition--use good judgement when driving in the unit.
Bay and Cypress Roads
Bay and Cypress Roads have been reopened to motorized vehicles. These roads are natural-surface dirt and become very muddy and rutted during wet conditions. Use caution and know your vehicle's limitations if you drive these roads.
Buffalo City Road
High water levels or heavy rainfall may lead to flooding at the end of Buffalo City Road. When flooding is present, please turn around before the end and do not drive in standing water.
Chip Rd
Chip Road is currently closed to all public entry for management activities.
