The Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge is an important stopover site for migratory birds and provides protected breeding habitat for threatened and endangered species, as well as many neo-tropical migrating bird species.  With the high volume and variety of birds, it’s no wonder the Refuge is among the most popular Bayshore destinations for birders.

Visiting the Refuge you’ll encounter a variety of habitat features including salt marsh, freshwater marsh, ponds and impoundments, wooded swamps and upland grasslands and forest.

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Prime Hook) was created in 1963 to conserve the area’s coastal wetlands. Remarkably, this vast open space contains 10,144 acres, including over 4,000 acres of marsh, and is home to 37 species of mammals, 308 species of birds, 51 species of fish, 45 species of reptiles and amphibians! These high counts make it likely you’ll encounter plenty of wildlife sightings on your visit.  And if you’re following the Delaware Birding Trail, the refuge is one of the locations on it!

Make sure to stop over in Broadkill Beach, located on the southern bayside edge of Prime Hook.  The community is designated horseshoe crab sanctuary and also offers opportunities for birdwatching migratory shorebirds that stop at the beach to feed on horseshoe crab eggs.

If you want to explore the Prime Hook outside of your car, there are many options!

• Four walking trails totaling six miles featuring interpretive signs and open to dogs on leashes.
• Half-mile boardwalk and viewing platform (ADA compliant)
• Fishing Pier for freshwater fishing (ADA compliant)
• Fifteen miles of creeks, steams and marshes to navigate by canoe or kayak (water trail info)
• A seven-mile canoe trail
• Photography blind
• Road pull-off sites for photographing wildlife.
• Hunting seasons for deer, waterfowl and small game
• Crabbing
• Public accessible boat launches

Prime Hook’s Visitor Center, open daily year round (9am-4pm),  has educational displays, videos and programs, multimedia exhibits and nature films that you can view. Be sure to also stop by the The Friends of Prime Hook’s gift shop, for a souvenir before you leave!

Getting Here:
Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge is located in Sussex County Delaware.
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