Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Refuge Hours

The Headquarters Area (including the A, B, and C Impoundments) trails, boat ramps, and other outdoor facilities are open daily from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm. The Headquarters Area is closed to public use from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am daily. The Hillsboro Area and 20 Mile Bend Area are open 24 hours.

Visitor Center

• Address: 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33473
• Hours: Open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days
• Volunteers at the front desk can provide helpful information like brochures and maps, and answer questions about the refuge
• The visitor center offers interactive and educational displays and exhibits including the Everglades at Night, a virtual airboat ride, Everglades Attitudes, a replica tree island with a crawl-through alligator hole, and more
• Watch the 16-minute refuge video
• Learn about recent wildlife sightings
• Discover opportunities for hiking, biking, boating, canoeing, hunting, fishing, wildlife photography, birding, watching wildlife, and more
• Entrance passes are available at the visitor center
• A water-bottle refilling station is available to keep you hydrated. 
• Educational books, postcards, and other souvenirs are available at the Friends of Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR nature store
• The 0.4-mile Cypress Swamp Boardwalk starts and ends behind the visitor center
• View butterfly gardens that provide homes for pollinators both behind and in front of the visitor center

Events and Programs

Guided walks, tram tours, and more are offered throughout the year by staff and volunteer naturalists. Learn more on our Events page.

Fees and Entrance Passes

The refuge is a federal fee area and entrance passes are required for all visitors. Fees collected are used to directly assist with providing safe and meaningful experiences to refuge visitors. A variety of passes can be purchased in-person at the visitor center from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm daily, seasonally at fee booths, or you can purchase a daily of annual refuge pass online at Recreation.gov.

• Entrance fees are waived for visitors entering the refuge on foot, bicycle, or horseback, and during posted Fee Free Days.
• The refuge accepts payment in the form of cash or a check. Make checks payable to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• All passes admit the pass-holder and any accompanying passengers in a single, private non-commercial vehicle.
• If you aren't greeted at the fee booth (Headquarters and Hillsboro Entrances), please purchase your daily pass at the self-pay fee station near the fee booth.
• Remember that passes are non-refundable and non-transferable. This means that the person who signed the pass must be in the vehicle.
• Passes marked with an asterisk (*) can be purchased online from the USGS Store and a physical pass will be mailed to you. Plan ahead, you must have the physical pass to enter the refuge.

Pass Options

Daily Pass - $10.00 for a vehicle. Valid only at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Daily passes may be purchased from the visitor center, self-pay stations at all three entrances, or online at Recreation.gov.

Annual Pass - $25.00 for a vehicle. Valid only at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Annual passes may be purchased from the visitor center, self-pay stations at all three entrances, or online at Recreation.gov.

Federal Duck Stamp - $25.00. Valid for one year, July 1 to June 30, at all National Wildlife Refuges.

Lifetime Senior Pass* - $80.00 per person age 62 or older. Also provides a 50% discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping. The Lifetime Senior Pass provides access to recreation sites managed by six federal agencies: National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

Annual Senior Pass* - $20.00 per person age 62 or older. Valid for 12 months from the time of purchase. Also provides a 50% discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping. The Annual Senior Pass provide access to recreation sites managed by six federal agencies: National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

Access Pass* - A free lifetime pass for disabled persons. Also provides a 50% discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping. The Access Pass provide access to recreation sites managed by six federal agencies: National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

Military Annual Pass* – A free annual pass available to active duty U.S. Military and dependents. 

Military Lifetime Pass* – A free lifetime pass available to U.S. Military Veterans, and Gold Star families.

Interagency Annual Pass* - $80.00 - valid for 12 months from the time of purchase – provide access to recreation sites managed by six federal agencies: National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

Every Kid Outdoors Pass - A free annual pass valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year though the following summer (September 1 – August 31). This pass is available for U.S. 4th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age). Voucher required.

Commercial Bus - $25.00 for up to 25 passengers, and $50.00 for 26 or more passengers. Please contact staff at armloxahatchee@fws.gov at least two weeks in advance to avoid conflict with other groups.

2024 Fee Free Days

• January 15 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• February 10 (Everglades Days Kick-Off)
• February 17 (Everglades Days Service Project Day)
• June 19 (Juneteenth)
• August 4 ( Great American Outdoors Act Great American Outdoors Act
  This landmark conservation law, enacted in 2020, authorizes the use of up to $1.9 billion a year in energy development revenues for five years for needed maintenance to facilities and infrastructure in our wildlife refuges, national parks, forests, recreation areas and American Indian schools.
  
  Learn more about Great American Outdoors Act Day)
• September 28 (National Public Lands Day)
• October 13 (first Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week)
• November 11 (Veterans Day) 

Restrooms

Restrooms are available both inside and outside of the visitor center. Portable toilets are available at every boat ramp.

Know Before You Go

To get the most out of your visit, be sure to come prepared. View refuge regulations and check for alerts, information, and closures here on our website and our Facebook page before you visit.

Give wildlife plenty of space. Alligators, venomous snakes, biting insects, toxic plants, and sensitive habitats exist at the refuge. How close is too close to wildlife? When in doubt, use the "rule of thumb" by making a "thumbs up" signal towards an animal near you. Your thumb needs to cover the entire animal to be at a safe viewing distance. If an animal changes it's behavior, you're too close. Be aware of your surroundings, walk in the center of trails, and avoid areas with tall vegetation. Never swim anywhere on the refuge. Pets on a leash are only allowed in designated areas.

Plan for your needs. Always check the weather conditions before leaving home and dress appropriately for the day. This might include wearing a hat, sunglasses, long sleeves, long pants, and walking shoes. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a first aid kit.