Great Bay NWR--Ferry Way Trail

About this Location

The William Furber Ferry Way Trail begins as an asphalt path adjacent to the chain link fence across the road from the visitor's parking lot. After following the fence line, the trail crosses a road and veers left onto an abandoned dirt road. Entering the woods, the trail passes by beaver ponds, an old apple orchard, and a large field. The trail then loops down to Great Bay where visitors can observe the variety of local wildlife from an observation deck. On the way back, the trail passes a marsh and traverses the field before backtracking to the parking lot.

About Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge

See all hotspots at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge

The Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 on a portion of the former Pease Air Force Base in Newington, NH. The 1,089-acre refuge was created to encourage the natural diversity of plants and wildlife, protect endangered and threatened species, and enhance the water quality of aquatic habitats. A variety of habitats is found on the refuge, including upland forest, grassland, salt marsh, freshwater, and seven miles of intertidal shoreline.

From NH-16 exit 1 in Newington, take Pease Boulevard for 0.5 mile. Turn right on Arboretum Drive and drive about 3.3 miles past the end of the Pease runway to the parking lot for the refuge.

The refuge also manages the 28-acre Karner Blue Easement, located 45 miles west in Concord. The easement is one of the few remaining parcels of pine barren habitat in the state and is home to the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly.

Both the Great Bay Refuge and the Karner Blue Butterfly easement are administered by Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, located in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Notable Trails

The TrailFinder website has a description and map of a hike on the Ferry Way Trail. 

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge Official Website

Last updated October 23, 2023