About Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Located within parts of four New England states: New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is the only refuge of its kind to encompass an entire watershed. This unique refuge design was proposed by Congressman Silvio O. Conte who had "...a dream that included a Connecticut River, cleaned, fishable, swimmable, and with salmon restored to abundant numbers.” He also dreamed that someday his children and grandchildren would continue to enjoy the outdoors as he had, and not “be saddled with a planet polluted beyond repair.” In 1991, he asked Congress to establish a National Wildlife Refuge to protect the watershed of the river and its wildlife resources. In 1997 the refuge named in his honor was established to fulfill that dream. The refuge was designed to include the entire Connecticut River watershed because legislators realized that, in order to protect migratory fish and other aquatic species, there was a need to protect the whole river system and its watershed; the health of any aquatic ecosystem is linked to the health of the whole watershed upstream. It is one of only three refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System that has Fish in its title.
How to Get There
For access to the Fort River Division in Hadley, please note: In order to access our this location by vehicle, you will need to use the Bay Road entrance. The South Maple Street entrance to Moody Bridge Road is currently closed to vehicles.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/114) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge?
For access to the Fort River Division in Hadley, please note: In order to access our this location by vehicle, you will need to use the Bay Road entrance. The South Maple Street entrance to Moody Bridge Road is currently closed to vehicles.
How do I contact Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 413-548-8002 or email: Dean_Rhine@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
