Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Visit Us

Stretching eight miles along Delaware Bay and covering 16,251 acres, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for wildlife. Four-fifths of the refuge is tidal salt marsh salt marsh
Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.

Learn more about salt marsh
with a mix of cordgrass meadows, mud flats, tidal pools, rivers, creeks, and tidal streams. The upland area includes forests, freshwater impoundments, brushy and timbered swamps, and fields of herbaceous plants. This diversity of habitats is reflected in the diversity of animal life.

The visitor center is open daily year round from 9:00am to 4:00pm, weather and volunteer dependent.

The refuge offers visitors a 12-mile wildlife drive, five walking trails (2 handicapped accessible), three observation towers, wildlife photography, hunting opportunities, a variety of nature and educational programs, and interpretative displays.

Know Before You Go

  • The wildlife drive is open from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset daily.
  • The visitor center is open Monday - Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. year round and most Sundays (dependent on volunteer availability) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • The visitor center will feature interpretive exhibits, an auditorium where visitors can view nature films, information on things to do and places to see, and the Friends Nature gift shop (operated by the Friends of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge). The new exhibits are expected to be installed in early November 2024.
  • The visitor center is handicapped accessible and has educational displays and videos.
  • The visitor center is closed on Federal Holidays.
  • Check the website or call to find out about refuge road closures during bad weather and hunting season. During summer months, visitor should bring insect repellent and wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants.
  • To protect wildlife and their habitat and to provide the best opportunities in wildlife observation and photography, it is important not to disturb, injure, or damage plants and animals on the refuge. In fact, it is a prohibited act as stated in 50 CFR 27.51. This disturbance includes flushing birds and other wildlife or using mechanical or electronic devices to lure birds closer for observation or photography. Please remember to take only memories and photographs and leave only footprints.
  • Unmanned aircraft systems (Drones) are prohibited.
  • The Refuge Headquarters and Auto Tour route will be closed for hunting activities on October 11th, November 15th, and December 18th.
  • Dutch Neck Rd and the area around the Allee house is closed to all entry from September 1st - February 1st, except permitted hunters engaging in permitted hunting activities.

Activities

National Wildlife Refuges across the country provide opportunities for visitors to make their own connections to the natural world. 

Trails

Trails 
Wildlife Drive - 12 miles Vehicles, Bicycle, Walking – Drive along diverse habitats, including freshwater man-made pools, salt marshes, woodlands, and fields. Five walking trails are located along the wildlife drive. All trails are flat terrain. 

Raymond Tower Trail - .25 mile Walking – 30 ft. high observation tower. Forest and Upland Field 

Boardwalk Trail Over the Salt Marsh - .25 mile Walking – Tidal Salt Marsh 

Parsons Point Trail - 1 mile Walking –Freshwater Marsh and Forest. 

Bear Swamp Trail - .25 mile Walking trail is accessible - 30 ft. observation tower and floating platform are not accessible. Forest and Freshwater Marsh. 

Shearness Tower Trail - .25 mile Walking – 30 ft. high observation tower. Forest and Upland Field 

Forest Discovery Tree Trail - 2.7 miles Walking - Interpretive trail through old and new growth forest. Trees are numbered along the route. There is an identification key on the trail guide.

Related Documents

Here are some PDF's to help you understand the refuge! 

2024 Bombay Hook NWR Trail Map Brochure

2024 Bombay Hook NWR Trail Map Brochure.

Map showing auto tour route, trails, and amenities. Descriptions of trails.

BH_Bird_ChecklistwithLinks.pdf

Bird Checklist

AM-REPTlist_ID.pdf

Amphibian List Identification

BH_FishListwithLinks.pdf

Fish List

BH_InvertebrateListwithLinks.pdf

Invertebrate List

BH_TreeListwithLinks.pdf

Tree List

BH_WildflowerListwithLinks.pdf

Wildflower List

BoardwalkTrailwithLinks.pdf

Board Trail

Forest_ID_Key.pdf

Forest Identification Key

Freshwater_ID_Key.pdf

Freshwater Identification Key

MammalslistID (1).pdf

Mammal List Identification

Tree_ID_Key.pdf

Tree Identification Key

Saltmarsh_ID_Key.pdf

Saltmarsh Identification Key

MammalslistID.pdf

Mammal List Identification 

Waterfowl_ID_Key.pdf

Waterfowl Identification Key

Rules and Policies

The wildlife drive and trails are open from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset with an entrance pass.

The refuge is open for nature photography, wildlife observation, hunting, environmental education and interpretation. To protect the natural resources of the refuge and to provide all visitors with a safe and enjoyable wildlife experience please observe all refuge signs and regulations in handouts and brochures.

Locations

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
2591 Whitehall Neck RoadSmyrna,DE19977-2912
Hours
Refuge Hours
Year Round
1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset daily