Visit Us
Refuge Hours and Parking
The Visitor Center is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm.
Trails are accessible every day from sunrise to sundown. Free parking is available at both the Lindbergh Blvd. entrance and the Rt. 420 entrance. The boat launch is out of order. There are outdoor bathrooms and a water fountain by the trailhead and observation tower.
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Stop by the front desk of the Visitor Center and find helpful information, including maps, brochures, birding checklists and restrooms. Binoculars and fishing rods are available for loan, free of charge. Food is not available for purchase. Explore the Center’s exhibits to learn more about the wildlife and habitats of the refuge and the communities that support the refuge’s work.
The Visitor Center is closed for all Federal holidays, but trails remain open.
The refuge follows the City of Philadelphia closing schedule during severe weather events.
Free Public Program
From free guided nature walks to nature festivals, refuge staff and volunteers offer more than a hundred free public programs all year round, both on the refuge and in Southwest Philadelphia!
Activities
There is always something going on both on the refuge and at local Southwest Philadelphia community spaces! Check out the event calendar for upcoming guided nature walks, clean-up opportunities, nature festivals, and more! The event calendar can be found in the kiosk by the Visitor Center or on Facebook @JohnHeinzNWR.
Trails
With more than 10 miles of trails, the refuge provides many opportunities for visitors to connect with nature. The popular 3.5 mile Wetland Loop offers opportunities for wildlife observation, walking, and biking in a variety of habitats. The Big Boardwalk Loop is less than 1 mile and is wheelchair accessible.
Locations
There are two entrances to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. The eastern entrance to the refuge is located at 86th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard in Southwest Philadelphia, and provides access to the Visitor Center, walking trails, fishing access points, and wildlife observation structures. The western entrance is on Route 420, just north of I-95, and provides access to walking trails and fishing access.
Public Transportation to the Visitor Center
SEPTA Bus: Take Route 37 and 108 buses to 84th St. and Lindbergh Blvd. The Visitor Center is approximately 0.5 miles from the bus stop.
SEPTA Regional Rail: Take the Airport Line to Eastwick Station. The Visitor Center is approximately 1 mile from the train station.