Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
4.5
About
Covering 4,662 acres of diverse upland and wetland habitats, this refuge was established to preserve the feeding, resting and nesting areas of migratory birds.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles355 reviews
Excellent
271
Very good
68
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
6

Diane T
Brockton, MA98 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
We drove the entire length of the Refuge on Plum Island on one of the hottest days in July. There were plenty of birds to see- swans and cygnets, an egret, and a lone rabbit on the trail. We were hoping to catch a glimpse of the plovers from the beach (parking lot 1) but could not see them at that angle. This is a great place for birdwatchers or if you feel the need to connect to nature.
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MacJack23
New York City, New York143 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We walked every trail, and saw millions of migrating swallows all heading south. The lay of the land is great. Beautiful raised boardwalk trails over marsh and ocean terrain. It was the second week of August, and we had a fantastic time.
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ken C
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022
Make sure you get there early...even in February due to limited parking spaces. Also you can't ride bikes on the beach. Kind of disappointing because I would love to do that in the off season...and don't forget to leave your pet at home.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gina D
Woodville, MA29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
Great place for bird watchers! There were a lot of people there today on a nice fall day but still a very pleasant experience. There are new boardwalks which make walking very easy for all abilities. Access to quiet and scarcely populated beaches is a plus.
Written October 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MidwesternParent
183 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
We rented a car and drove here from Boston. Visiting the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island was a highlight of the day. It's beautiful and well worth a stop. We saw a lot of birds. It was nice to walk on the boardwalk. Excellent views for bird watching. Plus, the nearby beach was open.
Written January 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michelle M
Springfield, NJ14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Such a serene and naturally beautiful place to visit for walk. Take in the picturesque views and have yourself a walk through tree covered path. Spent the afternoon here with my teen walking and talking and enjoying the sights.
Written August 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FL2045
Texas158 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
If you goal is to take a nice walk along the boardwalks that go back and forth between the beach and the marshes, then this is a lovely place. If you are looking for wildlife, then check with the locals. When we where there, there was no wildlife to speak of. Not sure if it was time of day or the time of year.
Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Surfergirl2020
Boston, MA147 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2013
Plum island is beautiful, this refuge is goregous. However, in the summer most of the refuge is off limits because of the piping plovers nests. Miles of beautiful beaches and untouched dunes are closed for these birds. They are cute and fluffy, but if you build your nest in such a stupid spot, maybe you are endangered for a reason... The federal fish and game officers are also on an extreme power trip and will pull you over for going 1 mile over the speed limit and then act like you committed a felony. Spare me. This refuge is so beautiful, it makes me so sad that most of it is closed and patrolled by punks. Dont cross the line, speed or talk and maybe you'll make it out without a ticket. Me, I'll just go to a different beach that's more laid back.
Written June 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Surfergirl2020
Boston, MA147 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2014 • Couples
I really do love this beach, it is beautiful. However, the staff, volunteers, rangers, etc. and their pompous attitudes really ruin the experience. On our most recent visit, we asked the payment kiosk employees when the other parking lots would be open and basically got a death stare and attitude. We just asked a question. No need for an attitude. We also saw a ranger screaming at a family packing up their car to leave for having a kite. I get it, there are protected birds here that quite possibly taste like chicken, but screaming at a family? Totally unnecessary ranger power trip. The employees here really need an attitude adjustment and maybe training in how to smile and how to play nice with others.
Written September 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

M S
MA82 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2012 • Couples
Most beaches in MA find it sufficient to fence off areas for the piping plovers to nest, which is completely understandable. Parker River, however, closes virtually all of it's beach for most of the summer beginning on April 1. It often snows here in April. I doubt the plovers are nesting then. Why not monitor the nesting instead of setting such an early and arbitrary date? When you have miles and miles of beach to work with and limited parking to begin with, why won't a fence work here as well as it does at smaller area beaches which get packed with people?

Also, when the refuge parking lots fills, they close the gate and don't reopen until 3:00. In some years, they don't let people in even then, even though those waiting can see cars coming out. Fifty card can pass by, without them allowing a single car in. It does sometimes seem like some of the rangers are on a power trip.

Plum Island has a beautiful beach, but some of their policies need to be rethought.
Written June 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Parker River National Wildlife Refuge - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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