National wildlife refuge

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in Essex County, Massachusetts run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, Public domain

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge map

Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

This unit's own agency alerts list no fire restriction as of Oct. 5, 2026. We do not check a statewide fire-order feed for MA, so that is not a statement that no order exists, and not a green light for a fire. Check with the land manager and your county before you light anything.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

There is no entrance fee at Thacher Island National Wildlife Refuge.

What visitors do here: hiking, hunting, fishing.

Wildlife

  • BirdWaterfowl
  • BirdMigratory birds

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Rockport, 2.3 miles

Source: www2.census.gov, checked 2026-09-30.