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Maine
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State of Maine Parks

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USA Parks
Maine
South Coast Region
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
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Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge © Jane Spinney
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge © Jane Spinney
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge © Jane Spinney
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Autumn Light © Stephanie Spinney
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Nature walk view © Jane Spinney
Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge Picture taken along the scenic nature walk.
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge © Stephanie Spinney
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge © Stephanie Spinney
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge © Stephanie Spinney
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RACHEL CARSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
RACHEL CARSON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
321 Port Rd
Wells, Maine   04090
(lat:43.3471 lon:-70.5478) map location

Phone: (207) 646-9226
Email: park email button icon
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 in cooperation with the State of Maine to protect valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. Scattered along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, the refuge consists of ten divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth. It will contain approximately 7,600 acres when land acquisition is complete.

Our namesake, Rachel Carson, was a world-renowned marine biologist, author and environmentalist. She served as an aquatic biologist and Editor-in-Chief for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. During her tenure, she composed a series of articles on Atlantic Coast wildlife refuges.

Ms. Carson was born in Pennsylvania in 1907. Though the mystery of the sea and its creatures captivated her at an early age, the Maine coast particularly inspired her. Beginning in 1952, she summered on Southport Island, where she studied its beach and tide pools to research The Edge of the Sea (1955).

Through tireless investigation for her greatest work, Silent Spring (1962), she linked the unrestrained use of post-World War II chemical pesticides with fearsome, biological consequences. Overcoming industry and government pressure to abandon her research, she persevered. Carson simply and convincingly explained the connections between humans and all creatures of the Earth. She alerted generations to use chemicals with utmost caution, warning that their improper use has dreadful effects on public health and the environment.

Rachel Carson died in 1964, a victim of cancer. As fitting recognition of her tireless work, this refuge, first known as the Coastal Maine National Wildlife Refuge, was renamed in her honor on October 28, 1969 and formally dedicated June 27, 1970.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Huntingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
Nearby Accommodations
businesss listing main photo
Atlantic Birches Inn - Old Orchard Beach, ME
BBs / Inns
An elegant yet casual Romantic, Historic, Victorian Bed and Breakfast. The Inn is perfect for Small Weddings, Honeymoons, Vow Renewals, Engagement Surprises, Anniversaries, Elopements, Family Reunions, Vacations, Ladies Weekends, Family Holiday Gatherings, and Weekend Getaways at the Beach.
14.6 miles from park*


Location
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge is located near Biddeford, Kennebunk and Saco


Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
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Area Campgrounds
Sun Outdoors Old Orchard Beach Downtown
8 Cascade Road
Old Orchard Beach, ME
207-934-2352
Meadowledge RV Resort
198 Saco Avenue
Old Orchard Beach, ME
207-646-5008
Ne're Beach Family Campground
38 Saco Avenue
Old Orchard Beach, ME
207-934-7614
Old Orchard Beach Campground
27 Ocean Park Road
Old Orchard Beach, ME
207-934-4477
Paradise Park Resort Campground
50 Adelaide Road
Old Orchard Beach, ME
207-934-4633
Powder Horn Family Camping Resort
48 Cascade Road
Old Orchard Beach, ME
207-934-4733
Bunganut Lake Camping Area
116 Anderson Road
Lyman, ME
207-247-3875
Beach Acres Tent Sites & Park
563 Post Road
Wells, ME
207-646-5612
Bears Den Rv Park
120 Bears Den Road
Wells, ME
207-646-6220
Gregoire's Campgrounds
697 Sanford Road
Wells, ME
207-646-3711
Pinederosa Camping Area
128 North Village Road
Wells, ME
207-646-2492
Sea-Vu Campground
1733 Post Road
Wells, ME
207-646-7732
Stadig Mobile Park & Campgrnd
146 Bypass Road
Wells, ME
207-646-2298
Sun Outdoors Wells Beach
1000 Post Road
Wells, ME
207-646-7570
Red Apple Campground
111 Sinnott Road
Arundel, ME
207-967-4927
Thousand Trails Moody Beach
266 Post Road
Wells, ME
207-646-4586
Libby's Oceanside Camp
725 York Street
York, ME
207-363-4171
York Beach Camper Park
11 Cappy's Lane
York, ME
207-363-1343
Camp Eaton
750 York Street
York, ME
207-363-3424
Beaver Dam Campground
551 School Street
Berwick, ME
207-698-2267
Homestead By The River Family Campground
610 New County Road
Biddeford, ME
207-282-6445
Cape Neddick Oceanside Campground
63 Shore Dr
York, ME
207-363-4366
Dixon's Campgrounds
1740 U.S. 1
York, ME
207-363-3626
Sea-Vu West Resort RV Park and Campground
23 College Drive
Wells, ME
207-646-0785
Pinehirst Campground
7 Oregon Avenue
Old Orchard Beach, ME
207-934-5526
Yankeeland RV Resort
1 Robinson Way
Kennebunk, ME
207-985-7576
Sun Retreats Old Orchard Beach
3 Old Orchard Road
Old Orchard Beach, ME
207-934-2160
Sun Retreats Wild Acres
179 Saco Avenue
Old Orchard Beach, ME
207-934-2535
Sun Outdoors Saco Old Orchard Beach
814 Portland Road
Saco, ME
207-282-0502
Silver Springs Campground
705 Portland Road
Saco, ME
207-283-3880
Apache Campground
165 Bernier Road
Sanford, ME
207-324-5652
Huttopia Southern Maine
149 Sand Pond Road
Sanford, ME
207-324-1752
Yellowstone Park Camp Resort
2245 Main Street
Sanford, ME
207-324-7782
Area Fishing Related Businesses
Eldredge Bros Fly Shop
1480 Us Route 1
Cape Neddick, ME
(207) 363-9269
Breton's Bike Shop
879 Post Rd
Wells, ME
(207) 646-4255
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
FROM MAINE TURNPIKE EXIT #2 (WELLS EXIT): At Exit #2, travel east on Route #109/#9 to Wells. Turn left (north) onto Route #1. Proceed approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) and turn right (east) onto Route #9. Travel 0.7 miles (1.1 km); the Refuge will be on your right. Look for the large wooden sign at our entrance.

FROM ROUTE #1 NORTH: From points north of Wells on Route #1: Proceed south on Route #1 through Kennebunk. Approximately 3.0 miles (4.8 km) south of Kennebunk, turn left (east) onto Route #9. Proceed as above.

FROM ROUTE #1 SOUTH: From points south of Wells on Route #1: Proceed north on Route #1 through Wells. Turn right (east) onto Route #9 (approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Wells Center). Proceed as above.

FROM KENNEBUNKPORT: Travel west on Route #9. Approximately 5 miles (8.1 km) from Kennebunkport Center, look for the large wooden sign at our entrance on the left.

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