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Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

What is Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge?

The Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is a super cool spot in Chatham, Cape Cod. It’s a big area—over 7,600 acres—that’s home to tons of animals like birds, seals, and horseshoe crabs. Started in 1944, it protects all kinds of wildlife and has beaches, marshes, dunes, and ponds. Part of it, called the Monomoy Wilderness, is extra special because it’s the only wilderness area in southern New England. Whether you love hiking, watching birds, or just being in nature, Monomoy is a great place to visit.

How to Get There

Finding Morris Island

The main spot to start is the refuge’s headquarters on Morris Island at 30 Wikis Way, Chatham, MA 02633. To get there, take U.S. Route 6 East to State Route 137 South, then State Route 28 East. At the rotary, take the Main Street exit, go up the hill to Shore Road, and turn right. Pass the Chatham Lighthouse, then turn left onto Morris Island Road. Follow signs to Wikis Way. You can learn more on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.

Parking and Walking to Trails

There’s a small parking lot at Wikis Way, but it fills up fast, so get there early. Because of beach erosion, the old boardwalk is gone. To reach the trails, park at the lot, walk to the end of Wikis Way, and turn left onto Tisquantum Road. Walk about a quarter mile until you see a “Private Path” sign and a fence on your left. This path takes you to the refuge’s beach and trails. Be nice and stay on the road until you reach the path since you’ll pass private homes (TripAdvisor).

Getting to the Monomoy Islands

The refuge includes three islands—North Monomoy, South Monomoy, and Minimoy—but you can only get there by boat. You can take a ferry, like Monomoy Island Ferries, or join a tour with companies like Beachcomber Tours. These usually run from May to October. The refuge might have its own boat service soon, so check with them (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).

Fun Things to Do

Hiking and Trails

Morris Island has easy trails for walking and seeing nature. Here are some you can try:

Trail Name Length (miles) What’s Cool About It
Morris Island Trail 0.99 See marshes and beaches, great for spotting animals.
Morris Island Interpretive Trail 0.09 Short trail with signs that teach you about the refuge.
Morris Island Beach Trail 0.04 Quick path to the beach.
Right of Way Access Trail 0.39 Takes you from Tisquantum Road to the refuge.

 

The islands have trails too, like the 1.39-mile North Monomoy Island Trail, but you need a boat to get there. Grab a trail map at the info kiosk or online (AllTrails).

Birdwatching

Monomoy is awesome for birdwatching, with over 285 kinds of birds! It has the biggest group of nesting common terns on the East Coast—over 13,000 pairs. You might see piping plovers, roseate terns, or red knots, which are special protected birds. Morris Island trails are great for spotting songbirds and shorebirds, and the islands are even better if you take a boat (Historic Chatham).

Watching Wildlife and Taking Photos

You can see more than birds—like 30,000–50,000 gray seals, horseshoe crabs, and tiger beetles. The beaches, dunes, and marshes are perfect for taking pictures. You can take photos for fun, but if you’re doing it for a job, check with the refuge first (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).

Fishing

Monomoy is a top spot for fishing on Cape Cod. You can fish from the shore in certain areas, but you need a Massachusetts saltwater fishing license. You might catch striped bass, bluefish, or flounder. You can also collect softshell clams by hand, but there are rules to follow (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).

Boat Tours and Island Adventures

Boat tours to the Monomoy Islands let you explore over 3,500 acres of wild land. You can visit the old Monomoy Point Light and its keeper’s house, which are open to the public. The islands have beaches, dunes, marshes, and ponds to check out (Monomoy Island Ferries).

Best Times to Visit

You can visit Monomoy any time of year, and each season is different:

  • Spring (March–May): Tons of birds come back, like hummingbirds and piping plovers. May is super colorful (Lonely Planet).
  • Summer (June–August): See baby birds nesting, and the weather’s warm. The info kiosk is open.
  • Fall (August–November): More birds fly through, and the weather’s nice (Historic Chatham).
  • Winter (December–February): Quiet with fewer people, great for seeing seals and winter birds (Captain Freeman Inn).

For seals, May to October is best. You can watch them at low tide from Chatham Lighthouse or the Chatham Fish Pier deck.

Visitor Tips

What’s Available

The visitor center at 30 Wikis Way is closed and will be taken down in April 2025 because of erosion (Cape Cod Chronicle). There’s an info kiosk near the flagpole, open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with maps and brochures. There might be portable toilets, but no food, so bring your own water and snacks.

Rules to Follow

  • Pets: No dogs on the islands ever. On Morris Island, dogs can’t come from May 1 to September 15 to protect baby birds. Leashed dogs are okay from September 16 to April 30 (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).
  • Permits: It’s free to visit and hike. Fishing needs a Massachusetts saltwater fishing license. Hunting is allowed in some areas with a state permit and a special refuge permit.

  • Stay Safe: Watch out for ticks, which can make you sick, and poison ivy. Wear long sleeves, use bug spray, and check for ticks after your trip.

Helping Nature

The refuge counts birds and other animals every year, tags horseshoe crabs, and studies seals. They’re also working to keep shorebirds safe by having more staff and better signs.

Places to Stay and Other Fun Spots

Where to Stay

Chatham has lots of places to stay, like The Chatham Wayside Inn, which is just 1.64 miles from the refuge (TripAdvisor). You can also find vacation homes or bed-and-breakfasts on sites like Airbnb.

Things to See Nearby

  • Chatham Lighthouse: A cool old lighthouse with great views.

  • Stage Harbor: A pretty spot for boating or fishing.

  • Harding’s Beach or Ridgevale Beach: Great for swimming or relaxing.

  • Chatham Fish Pier: Has a deck for watching seals in summer.

Wrap-Up

The Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing place to explore nature on Cape Cod. You can hike, watch birds, take photos, or visit the islands by boat. Follow the rules, bring what you need, and enjoy this beautiful spot. Plan your trip today!

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