Mashpee NWR--Johns Pond Park

About Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge

See all hotspots at Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge

Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1995 to preserve and protect natural resources associated with the Waquoit Bay area for the protection of waterfowl and protection of wildlife. Located in the towns of Mashpee and Falmouth, this refuge will total 5,871 acres when complete, only a small percentage of which will be owned by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Currently, 341 acres are in FWS ownership. Managed through a unique partnership among nine Federal, State, and private conservation groups, this Cape Cod refuge preserves thousands of acres of magnificent salt marshes, cranberry bogs, Atlantic white cedar swamps, freshwater marshes, rivers, and vernal pools.

While the Service-owned lands are officially closed at this time, there are miles of walking trails and fire roads for visitors to explore neighboring lands where one can access areas such as the Childs River for fishing to a tranquil paddle on Moody Pond. A well-utilized access site is on Great Neck Road at the Jehu Pond parking area.

Environmental education and interpretive programs are offered throughout the year by our refuge friends group (on and off-site). For a complete map please contact Friends of Mashpee NWR; there are public use areas on several of the partner’s properties which are posted on the refuge map.

Content from Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge website