Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge
4.5
About
Birdwatchers flock to this Cape Cod wildlife habitat with a special emphasis on migratory birds.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles303 reviews
Excellent
211
Very good
66
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
13

Linda P
Ballston Spa, NY415 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Friends
Monomoy is lovely and unspoiled but erosion and changes make it harder to enjoy. Paths down from the visitors parking are all closed and the whole forest on the edge of the site is cut down. The bathrooms with running water are gone and pit toilets are for use. To access, walk out of entry road and turn left into private neighborhood with assurance right of way will be granted. Walk to house #231 and marked dirt path down hill will take you to beach and water. The large blue 231 is gone and the number is on opposite side of mail box in crayon. As always, careful of vast amounts of poison ivy and ticks in all grass.
Written May 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carol Ann J
Germantown, NY3,067 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023
We visited Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge on a morning in mid-June. Fortunately for us, there was someone on site who directed us to the osprey observation deck, as well as where to go through a lovely neighborhood to a trail down to the sand and marsh area. On our walk we observed some shore birds in the area.
Written June 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Valerie M
Toronto, Canada15 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
We had a marvellous walk through the reserve to the beach where we watched thousands of seabirds and explored the mudflats. Even in the wind and rain it was wonderful!

The downside is that the entrance to the reserve is in the heart of a private community. We walked from Chatham and only reviews by other visitors gave us the confidence to keep going past the many “private road” signs. It shocked me that a National reserve felt so inaccessible.
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

thephotogoddess
San Jose, CA1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
Original visitors center is closed and it’s surrounding trails are all washed out due to erosion. New trail is accessible via a walk through the rich folks neighborhood and they don’t want any cars disturbing their precious peace and entitlement so there is no easy access to any of the beach trails. We wound up not being able to explore the area because a member of our group suffers from extreme asthma and couldn’t make the hike. It’s sad to see what is undoubtedly a beautiful reserve being squeezed out by the moneyed set but that’s clearly what’s happening here.
Written September 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fred S
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
No access to the beach any more due to erosion. Limited viewing even of the water due to the trails being closed. Ticks are prevalent, parking is very limited. No longer worth the effort. I would recommend heading to the National Seashore or Race Point up in Ptown.
Written May 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Phyllis B
15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
The volunteer in the visitor's center was so hospitable and knowledgeable. He patiently answered all of our questions and offered suggestions. We were impressed with the boardwalk down to the ocean. It was a cloudy day but still beautiful. We were not prepared to do much hiking, but rest assured, we will be back! What a gem!
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Foldvary
Peachtree City, GA6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
It was beautiful! Directions getting there are somewhat confusing. Here is what I was able to find:

"Due to severe bluff and beach erosion the boardwalk and staircase that had once led to the beach have been removed. Access to the refuge beach and trails is through the private path with a deeded public right of way to allow access to Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) lands off Tisquantum Rd.

To get there park your car in the refuge parking lot and walk to the end of Wikis Way (the refuge driveway), turn left, and follow Tisquantum Rd. for about a quarter mile through the neighborhood until you reach a split rail fence on your left and a "Private Path" sign. Please respect the private property of our neighbors by staying on the road until you reach the path."
Written September 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jaseaton
Silver Spring, MD2,756 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Friends
So, if you don't have time or interest to get to Monomoy Island, the Morris Island area on the mainland is a WONDERFUL alternative. We parked outside the Park Center (now closed) and walked down the street ((surrounded by posh private homes) and took the. lovely hidden public trail down to the beach below. Then we sat for awhile and strolled the shore. Magnificent.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Justine M
Maine2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Family
We look forward to our trip year every Summer. You have to go during low tide to be able to enjoy the walk on the beach. Every year we see something different. One year a half eaten seal was washed on shore one year we found thousands of star fish. Yes there is a bit of a walk and big set of stairs to get down to the beach but beautiful views!!!!
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lorna C
Massachusetts34 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
This may have been nice at one time, but not anymore. One of the staircases to the beach is under a dune now due to erosion. The look out is closed due to teetering on the edge of a cliff due to erosion of the coastal bank. The other set of stairs has been taken apart so you can't get to the beach. It wasn't even close to high tide and there was no beach left. There are no facilities due to covid. The wildlife is clearly taking over. We saw a Fischer cat that stopped and snarled right at us! It's clearly not sprayed for ticks. The paths to where the lookout used to be was infested. It can not even compare to the Marconi Beach Cape Cod National Seashore for a beach or Nickerson Sate Park for hiking. Not worth the trouble. The remaining area is clearly marked as PRIVATE. Personally I DO NOT feel comfortable trespassing!!!
Written November 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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