Friends of Bombay Hook: Visitor Information

Visitor Information

Additional Resources

The brochures and maps are published by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Many are Adobe Acrobat files and require Adobe Acrobat reader software to view. Download it here.

Brochures

Refuge Maps

Important Reminder to
Refuge Visitors:

To protect wildlife and their habitat during your visit at Bombay Hook, it is important not to disturb, injure, or damage the plants and animals; in fact, it is prohibited by federal law (50 CFR27.51). Prohibited activities include flushing birds and other wildlife or using using electronic calls (taping) to lure birds closer.

Please remember to take only memories and photographs and leave only footprints.

Hours

Refuge: Open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset.

Visitor Center: Open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm year round; closed on federal holidays. Open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm on weekends in March, April, May, September, October and November.

Allee House: Closed until further notice for repairs.

Entrance Fees

Automobile (and occupants): $4.00 per day.

Hiking, Walking: $2.00 per day per person.

Refuge Passes: Bombay Hook Annual pass ; Federal Duck Stamp; and Interagency Annual, Senior, and Access passes for federal recreational lands, including refuges; are honored. For details, see the entrance fee chart. Passes are on sale in the refuge Visitor Center. (Please note that due to federal policy, payment by credit card is not permitted; cash or personal check are accepted.)

Facilities

Restrooms: Handicapped-accessible restrooms located at the Visitor Center are open 24 hours a day.

Food and Drink: Food and drink are not available at the refuge. The nearest store is about six miles away.

Weather and Meteorological Conditions

Weather: Get a complete weather forecast for Smyrna, Delaware here.

Sunrise and Sunset: Get sunrise and sunset times for Smyrna, Delaware here.

Tide Tables: Get tidal information here. Select Leipsic, Leipsic River as the location.

Activities

Allee House Tours: The eighteenth-century farmhouse located on refuge property is open for tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm in March, April, May, September, October and November. The Allee House is currently closed for repairs. Learn more here.

Auto Tour Route: Drive the twelve-mile round trip through the refuge. See the natural beauty of the refuge and view the wildlife. Stop to explore and walk the nature trails.

Birding: Bombay Hook is an international birding hotspot. It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by the American Birding Conservancy. The refuge bird list includes 278 species. See the Bombay Hook Birding page to learn more.

Festivals: The Friends of Bombay Hook sponsors an annual festival. See the events calendar for date and time.

Hiking/Walking: Walk the auto-tour route or one of the five nature trails, which vary in length from one-quarter to one mile. Three of the trails end at freshwater impoundments, where thirty foot high observation towers provide spectacular views of the refuge. Learn more here.

Hunting: Waterfowl, deer and small game hunting are permitted on the refuge subject to state and federal regulations. Learn more here.

Photography/Nature Study: Bombay Hook is a great place to study and photograph nature. Amateur and professional photographers come here to capture images of wildlife, landscapes and sunsets.

Refuge Store: Purchase refuge souvenirs, such as pins, key chains, magnets and pens; t-shirts, denim shirts and sweatshirts; hats; jewelry; collectibles and more. See the refuge store page to learn more.

Accomodations

Places to stay in Smyrna, Dover and surrounding communities, as listed on the Kent County & Greater Dover Convention and Visitors Bureau web site. Area attractions and restaurants are also listed.

Camping

Maps and Directions

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