If you visit in the winter months, you have a decent chance of seeing seals on the beach! For those of us who live near the Atlantic Coast, that’s reason enough to plan a trip to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. We just don’t have many places on the east coast where you can see seals.
Parker River is located on the southern portion of Plum Island, a barrier island that separates the Massachusetts mainland from the Atlantic Ocean. Like many other Atlantic barrier islands, that makes Plum Island a popular spot to find migratory birds. Over 350 different species of birds have been seen at Parker River as they head north or south. The island beaches become nesting spots for birds during the summer months, including the endangered Piping Plover. To protect the plovers, access to the much of the refuge’s beaches is blocked from April through sometime in August.
Visitors to Parker River NWR can travel the length of the refuge on the 6.5 mile Refuge Drive. There are several places to park and photograph the wildlife and scenery. When the beach isn’t closed, there are also several boardwalks that take you from the road to the beach while protecting the dunes. Fishing and swimming are permitted, just be aware that there are no lifeguards. And things can get busy enough during the summer that the refuge can reach its capacity, requiring them to close the gate. Come early to make sure you get in.
The refuge is just a few miles southeast of the town of Newburyport, Massachusetts. If you’re looking for places to stay near Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll find a pretty nice variety of inns, spas and chain hotels within 10 miles. Boston is about 40 miles southwest of here.
