Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Gatehouse

Beautiful place. Very quite,we didn't see a lot of animals but the trails a really nice,landscape is very pretty

Parker River National Wilderness Refuge is a wildlife sanctuary on a Plum Island. You pay $5 at the entrance, and enjoy a 17 minutes serpentine car ride in wilderness. The road is paved, but at the end, the last 5 minutes you will have to drive on a not paved but gravel road. There are plenty of small parking lots along this road. Some have the restrooms too. There are also 2 - 3 floor high observing decks. At the moment (June 8th, 2024), only one trail to the beach is open, at the visitor center, all the others are closed, not to disturb the birds, during their nesting season. I must admit the beach is stunning, and water is so clear, but extremely cold, only 58F. The wilderness and marshes are amazing, tons of small birds fly above your head, and the silence is so peaceful. Perfect place for meditation, when all you hear are just bird's songs.

- I did the hellcat trail (boardwalk trail loop) and the stage island trail. The hellcat trail is a 1.3 mi boardwalk loop and the stage island trail loops around the top of the island - $5 park entrance fee - Bathrooms located throughout the park - Plenty of parking - Lots of bugs in some areas and the beaches are closed for parts of the year to preserve birds during their nesting season - Wheelchair friendly

Great place to walk and go bird watching year round. Wonderfully kept, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Bathrooms are open. They accept National parks Annual Passes for entry. Nominal fee if you don't have one - around $5.00 if I remember correctly.

A gem. The majority of the beach is closed for piping plover season, but visit any time and it's great. Go in the offseason and enjoy the whole thing. It's wonderful.