About Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge
Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge is one of eight national wildlife refuges that comprise the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This refuge is located at the very tip of the Coskata-Coatue Peninsula, in an area known as Great Point on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. Nantucket was originally inhabited by the Wampanoag Tribe. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service acquired the land for the refuge in 1973 from the U.S. Coast Guard, who still manages the small acre that the Great Point Lighthouse sits upon, in the middle of the refuge. Within Coskata-Coatue, there lies an extremely diverse assemblage of habitats including barrier beach dunes and intertidal areas and though we focus on Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge, we must incorporate discussion of these lands as well to provide the appropriate landscape context. The refuge is home to many wildlife species such as marine mammals including grey and harbor seals, numerous shorebirds such as piper plovers and American oystercatchers, various seabirds including multiple tern species and gulls, waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors.
How to Get There
The refuge is located at the northern tip of Great Point on Nantucket. The entrance to the Coskata-Coatue Refuge is at the end of Wauwinet Rd; all visitors coming by land access need to enter through the gatehouse.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Nantucket National 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 Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1530) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge is located at the northern tip of Great Point on Nantucket. The entrance to the Coskata-Coatue Refuge is at the end of Wauwinet Rd; all visitors coming by land access need to enter through the gatehouse.
How do I contact Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 978-443-4661 or email: fw5rw_emnwr@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
