Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge protects extensive freshwater wetlands along the Sudbury and Concord Rivers, divided into two main sections for visitor access. Each area offers observation platforms, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and places to launch non-motorized boats.

The refuge was established in 1944 when Samuel Hoar, a local hunter, donated approximately 200 acres to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This act marked the beginning of organized protection for these important wetlands.

Indigenous peoples including the Nipmuc, Pawtucket, Wampanoag, and Susquehanna Nations shaped these lands through controlled fire practices that supported farming and hunting. Walking through the refuge today, you can sense how people once moved through and depended on these same wetlands.

The best way to explore the refuge is on foot or by non-motorized boat, with each of the two main sections offering different experiences. Plan to finish your visit before dark and come prepared for wet conditions and insects common to wetland areas.

The refuge holds the largest and most genetically diverse population of Blanding's turtles in the northeastern United States, making it crucial for the survival of this rare species. These turtles are so specialized for wetland life that their presence tells much about the health of the entire ecosystem.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1944

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

GPS coordinates: 42.47510,-71.32960

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:27