Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge

Explore the pristine refuge.

Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect wildlife habitat along a nine-mile stretch of the Wallkill River in New Jersey and New York.

The refuge offers critical habitat for migrating ducks and geese using the Atlantic Flyway, including such species as Canada goose, American black duck, mallard, northern pintail, green-winged teal and wood duck.

Canada geese, mallards and wood ducks also nest here. Common mammals include eastern cottontail, eastern gray squirrel, beaver, muskrat, red and gray fox, coyote, black bear and white-tailed deer. River otters and bobcats also use the refuge.

The refuge provides essential habitat for migrating shorebirds, breeding grassland birds and wintering birds of prey.

The refuge is also important for the recovery of the bog turtle, a federally-listed threatened species.

The Wallkill River refuge was established in 1990 and public recreation opportunities continue to increase.

The 1.5-mile Wood Duck Nature Trail follows an abandoned railroad bed through forested wetlands and wet meadows. This trail is located in Wantage, NJ, off County Route 565, near the intersection with Route 23.

The 2.5-mile Liberty Loop Trail also offers opportunities for wildlife observation and photography.

Parking for this trail is on Oil City Road in the Town of Warwick, NY. The Dagmar Dale Nature Trail includes one-mile and 1.7-mile loops through woodlands and fields.

This trail is adjacent to the refuge's headquarters and visitor station on County Route 565, Vernon, N.J.

The refuge maintains fishing and canoe access sites where the Wallkill River intersects County Route 565,

Bassetts Bridge Road, and Oil City Road.

Pets are not permitted on the refuge.

Hunting is by refuge permit only.