Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Prime Hook is a wildlife refuge in Delaware featuring marshes, ponds, swamps, woodlands, and grasslands spread across a large area. The terrain includes both saltwater and freshwater habitats supporting diverse plant and animal life.

The refuge was established in 1963 to protect migratory birds, transforming what had been farmland into natural habitat. This change allowed wildlife populations to recover and flourish over the following decades.

The refuge is a gathering place where nature lovers watch birds and learn about the wetland environment. Visitors experience the site as a working sanctuary where wildlife thrives in its natural habitat.

Walking trails allow you to move through the wetlands and observe animals in their natural settings. The paths are accessible on foot and are most rewarding during active wildlife seasons.

Each May, thousands of horseshoe crabs gather along the Delaware Bay shore to spawn in a remarkable natural event. This timing makes spring visits especially interesting for witnessing one of nature's cycles.

Location: Delaware

Inception: 1963

Operator: United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/prime_hook

GPS coordinates: 38.84780,-75.26690

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42