Parker RiverNational Wildlife RefugeCanoeing/Kayaking Information
Thank you for your interest in canoeing/kayaking at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Please read the following information thoroughly so that we may ensure your canoeing/kayaking experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Enjoy your visit!
GeneralOpportunities are available to launch a non-motorized canoe, kayak, or rowboat from the refuge for access to Plum Island Sound and points beyond. All boat motors (including electric) and the launching of all other watercraft, including sailboats, are prohibited. All refuge, state, and U.S. Coast Guard regulations apply. Landing anywhere in the refuge marsh or on the refuge beach is strictly prohibited.
Access and ParkingNon-motorized boat access to Plum Island Sound is available from the refuge at the boat ramp opposite parking lot 1. Launching or landing at any other refuge site is strictly prohibited. Boat ramp use is available year-round during refuge hours of operation, sunrise to sunset. All boaters who have launched from the refuge must exit the refuge by sunset. Motor vehicles & trailers must be parked in a designated parking area. Parking is not permitted at the boat ramp or its access road.
SafetyCheck tide times to avoid being stranded by a low tide. Currents can be strong. Especially in the rivers and creeks of the estuary, low water can cause disorientation if you are unable to see the surrounding landmarks or horizon. An area navigation chart is
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
recommended. Do not rely on the map on the reverse which is intended only for general orientation. Also check the forecast to avoid being caught in inclement weather. During the warmer months, mosquitoes and other biting insects can be very bothersome. Greenheads are aggressive, blood feeding horse flies that may be abundant from July through mid-August. From September 15 - May 15, all canoe and kayak occupants must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device.
Suggested Equipment and Suppliesn extra paddlen sunglasses n hat & jacketn waterproof bagn watern sunscreenn tide chartn compassn navigation chartn insect repellantn refuge information brochuren binoculars/camera/cell phonen wildlife identification guidesn U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device(s) (see requirement above)
Wildlife ViewingThe estuary harbors a great diversity of wildlife. A refuge bird checklist is available from refuge headquarters or the entrance gatehouse when staffed. Please remain an unobtrusive observer by viewing wildlife from an appropriate distance. To minimize wildlife disturbance, landing anywhere on the marsh is prohibited.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge6 Plum Island TurnpikeNewburyport, MA 01950978/465 5753978/465 2807 Faxe-mail:[email protected]/northeast/parkerriver
Federal Relay Servicefor the deaf and hard-of-hearing1 800/877 8339
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service1 800/344 WILDhttp://www.fws.gov
August 2008
Permits and FeesA permit is not required. However, a refuge entrance fee applies to access the boat ramp for launching. A Daily refuge entrance fee of $5/vehicle or $2/walk-on or bicycle is in effect year-round. Annual passes and commercial rates are available.
1A
Row
ley
Water Stre
et
Plum
Isla
ndSo
und
ParkerRiver
Plum
Islan
dRiver
1
23
45
6
7
Refu
ge H
eadq
uart
ers
and
Visi
tor C
ente
r
Emer
son
Rock
s
New
bury
StackyardRoad
Nor
ther
n B
lvd.
Sout
hFi
eld
Stag
e Is
land
Po
ol O
verl
ook
Bar
Hea
d
Sand
y Po
int
Stat
eRe
serv
atio
nCr
oss
Farm
Hill
Stag
e Is
land
Poo
l
Grape Island
Ipsw
ich
Mid
dle
Gro
und
Wat
erfo
wl
Hun
ting
Are
a A
Wat
erfo
wl
Hun
ting
Are
a B
Wat
erfo
wl
Hun
ting
Are
a C
Nel
son
Isla
nd
New
bury
port
Har
bor
Ligh
thou
se
Woo
dbri
dge
Isla
nd
Seal
Isla
nd Rolfe's Lane
Plum Island Tpk.
Gat
ehou
se(p
ay e
ntra
nce
fee
here
)
q
S
a
a
Atla
ntic
Oce
an
Plum
Isla
nd
The
Basi
n
Jopp
a
Merrimack River
Salis
bury
RowleyRiver
Eagl
e Hi
ll Ri
ver
Nor
th P
ool
Salt
Pann
es W
ildlif
e O
bser
vatio
n A
rea
Pine
sTr
ail
Nor
thFi
eld
M
M
M
I
Bill
Forw
ard
Pool
Lot 1
Boa
t Ram
p
Nor
thPo
olO
verl
ook
Bill
Fo
rwar
d B
ird
Blin
d
1
1A
q
I
aC
Flat
s
o
o
New
bury
port
II
Hel
lcat
Wild
life
Obs
erva
tion
Are
a
Suns
et D
rive
23
45
128
133
1A1A
128
Atla
ntic
Oce
anN
ewbu
rypo
rt
Ham
pton
Am
esbu
ry
Glo
uces
ter
Ipsw
ich
NH
MA
Ipsw
ich
Bay
Mas
sach
uset
ts B
ay
10
6 M
iles
MA
Dan
vers
95
95
1
1
1
133
97
113
495
Park
er R
iver
Nat
iona
l Wild
life
Refu
ge
Re
fuge
Bou
ndar
y
Road
B
oard
wal
k to
Bea
chq
Re
fuge
Hea
dqua
rter
sa
Re
st R
oom
sS
Vi
sito
r Inf
orm
atio
nI
D
esig
nate
d Pa
rkin
g A
rea
I
Num
bere
d D
esig
nate
d
Pa
rkin
g A
rea
o
Publ
ic B
oat R
amp
M
Obs
erva
tion
Tow
erC
M
aint
enan
ce A
rea
▲N
Wat
erfo
wl H
untin
g A
rea
boun
dari
es o
n th
is m
ap a
re
appr
oxim
ate.
Con
tact
refu
ge
head
quar
ters
for f
urth
er
info
rmat
ion.
Park
er R
iver
Nat
iona
l Wild
life
Refu
ge
Nor
th
