The Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge stretches eight miles along Delaware Bay and covers 16,251 acres. Here you’ll find a rich habitat for wildlife and birdlife in an area made up tidal salt marsh with a mix of cordgrass meadows, mud flats, tidal pools, rivers, creeks, and tidal streams.

The upland area includes forests, freshwater impoundments, brushy and wooded swamps, and fields of herbaceous plants. This diversity of habitats is reflected in the diversity of animal life that you may see as you explore.

Bombay Hook is an important stop on the Delaware Bay for thousands of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds every spring and fall, as they make their critical trips to and from their northern breeding grounds. At low tide, shorebirds can be seen feeding by the thousands on the salt marsh mudflats along the wildlife drive. Wintering waterfowl concentrate in the freshwater impoundments to feed and roost. During the summer, black-necked stilts nest in the grassy areas of Shearness and Bear Swamp impoundments.

If you’re following the Delaware History Trail, this is one of the locations on it! 

Logistics:
The daily entrance fee required is $4.00 per car. There is ample parking near the Visitor Center.

Hours:
The refuge is open 1/2 before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset.

The Visitor Center and office are open Monday-Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and most Sundays (depending on volunteer availability) 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please visit the Bombay Hook website  for up-to-date information.

Getting Here:
Address: 2501-2599 Refuge Entrance Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977
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