About Wapack National Wildlife Refuge
Wapack National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1972 through a donation from Laurence and Lorna Marshall, was New Hampshire's first refuge. The refuge is located about 20 miles west of Nashua, New Hampshire and encompasses the 2,278 ft. North Pack Monadnock Mountain. The refuge is a popular hawk migration area and provides nesting habitat for numerous migratory songbirds such as the tree sparrow, Swainson's thrush, magnolia warbler, crossbills, pine grosbeaks and white-throated sparrow. The refuge also supports a wide variety of upland wildlife including deer, bear, coyote, fisher, fox, mink and weasel. Many people visit the refuge to hike its four trails, including a four mile section of the 21-mile Wapack Trail, a spur of the Appalachian Trail. Wapack Trail passes over the top of North Pack Monadnock and offers outstanding opportunities for viewing migratory hawks and a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. The Wapack refuge is administered by staff from Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
How to Get There
The refuge maintains a parking lot on Old Mountain Road in Greenfield, NH. A short spur trail leads from the parking lot to the Wapack Trail. The parking lot (and refuge) is open from sunrise to sunset. Download written directions to the refuge.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Wapack National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Wapack 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 Wapack National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Wapack National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1662) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Wapack National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge maintains a parking lot on Old Mountain Road in Greenfield, NH. A short spur trail leads from the parking lot to the Wapack Trail. The parking lot (and refuge) is open from sunrise to sunset. Download written directions to the refuge.
How do I contact Wapack National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 603-431-7511 or email: jimmie_reynolds@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
