About Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 to protect, conserve, and restore habitat for wildlife native to the river's floodplain. The refuge consists of twenty-four islands and four mainland tracts scattered along 362 miles of the upper Ohio River. Most of the refuge's 3440 acres of land and underwater habitat are located in West Virginia; however, Pennsylvania and Kentucky each have two refuge islands.The refuge is important in conserving the "wild" Ohio within one of our nation's busiest inland waterways. Refuge islands are gradually returning to forested conditions after years of farming, oil and gas extraction, and other activities. The refuge works to protect wildlife and habitats native to the Ohio River and its floodplain. Migratory birds and endangered freshwater mussels are among the important wildlife emphasized on the refuge.
How to Get There
Directions to Visitor Center· From I-77 take WV exit #185; follow WV-14 (Highland Ave.) 1.3 miles; turn right onto Waverly Road (E. 4th St.); continue 2 miles to site.· From Marietta, OH cross Williamstown Bridge, take first left after DaVinci's Restaurant onto Waverly Road (E. 4th St.); continue 2 miles to site.· From Vienna, WV take WV-14 N to Williamstown, turn right onto Highland Ave; take first left onto Waverly Road (E. 4th St.): continue 2 miles to site..Visitor Center Hours:8:00 - 4:30 Mon - Fri (Dec - Mar)8:00 - 4:30 Mon - Sat (April - Nov)Directions to IslandsMost of the refuge's property is accessible only by boat. Public boat ramps are at various locations along the Ohio River providing a launching point to the islands. Mainland properties as well as Middle and Wheeling islands have road access. Visit our Refuge Access page to learn more
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Ohio River Islands 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 Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1543) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge?
Directions to Visitor Center· From I-77 take WV exit #185; follow WV-14 (Highland Ave.) 1.3 miles; turn right onto Waverly Road (E. 4th St.); continue 2 miles to site.· From Marietta, OH cross Williamstown Bridge, take first left after DaVinci's Restaurant onto Waverly Road (E. 4th St.); continue 2 miles to site.· From Vienna, WV take WV-14 N to Williamstown, turn right onto Highland Ave; take fir…
How do I contact Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 304-375-2923 or email: ohioriverislands@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
