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When to catch Bombay Hookat its best

Bombay Hook through the year: wildflowers (local timing: April and May (full bloom in May)) and winter wildlife (local timing: November (the peak) and December). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

RIGHT NOW · SEP 30

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat chance rain showers then mostly cloudy, 68°F · Sun chance rain showers, 66°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at Bombay Hook

Good in fall

  • Late flowers: cardinal flower, rose mallow, then goldenrod and Joe-Pye-weed

From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.

Nearby in fall

Where to go at Bombay Hook

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter
Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go

Wildflowers

Winter wildlife

  • Wildlife Drive12 miles by car, bike or on foot past freshwater pools, salt marsh, woods and fields; open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, with an entrance passU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Bear Swamp TrailA quarter-mile accessible trail off the Wildlife Drive through woods and freshwater marsh, with a 30 ft observation tower and a floating platform (those two aren't accessible)U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at Bombay Hook

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodayMostly Sunny76° / 62°–
  • ThuPartly Sunny80° / 65°–
  • FriMostly Sunny84° / 61°33% rain
  • SatChance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy68° / 56°29% rain
  • SunChance Rain Showers66° / 55°49% rain
  • MonSlight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny65° / 46°15% rain
  • TueSunny60° / 44°–

Today: sunrise 6:58 a.m., sunset 6:48 p.m., light until 7:14 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)

Nearby, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Bombay Hook in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
A flock of birds taking off over the refuge
Birds taking flight at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (species and date not given). Photo: USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

When do the wildflowers bloom?

Spring wildflowers bloom in April and are in full bloom in May. Water lilies follow in June; cardinal flowers, rose mallow and meadow beauties in August; tickseed sunflower, goldenrod and Joe-Pye-weed in September; bur marigolds in October.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Are the bugs bad?

From June through September, mosquitoes and biting flies are very high. Refuge staff suggest long sleeves and pants, insect repellent and a head net.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Wildlife ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Is any part closed seasonally?

Dutch Neck Road and the area around the Allee House are closed to everyone except permitted hunters from September 1 to February 1.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When can I drive the Wildlife Drive?

Every day, year-round, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. You need an entrance pass for the drive and trails.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 28