Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

The refuge sits along the western shore of Delaware Bay, where roughly 80% of its more than 10,000 acres is a mix of fresh and saltwater wetlands. Riders coming off Route 1 follow Route 16 east, then turn onto Turkle Pond Road to reach the headquarters area — a short detour that drops you into a landscape that feels nothing like the highway corridor you just left. The flat, open marsh stretches in every direction, and the transition is immediate.

The visitor center is free to enter and open daily year-round, weather and volunteer availability permitting. Inside you'll find educational displays, taxidermy mounts, and an auditorium for nature films; there's also a gift shop operated by the Friends of Prime Hook. Outside, a wheelchair-accessible observation platform on the Dike Trail overlooks the marsh, and a short boardwalk loop crosses 600 feet of freshwater marsh if you want to stretch your legs before getting back on the bike. One practical note: mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies can be intense from late spring through early fall, so gear up before stepping off the pavement.