The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is located in Tinicum Township, Pennsylvania, is adjacent to the Philadelphia International Airport. The refuge protects the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania; approximately 350 acres (0.8 km2).
There are over 10 miles (16 km) of trails, including the popular "Impoundment Trail", and two boardwalks that cross the impoundment and one of its smaller coves. Trail segments are a part of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000 mile long system of trails connecting Maine to Florida.
Map and Brochure of John Heinz at Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Pennsylvania. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
John Heinz NWR at Tinicum
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/john_heinz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Heinz_National_Wildlife_Refuge_at_Tinicum
The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge is located in Tinicum Township, Pennsylvania, is adjacent to the Philadelphia International Airport. The refuge protects the largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania; approximately 350 acres (0.8 km2).
There are over 10 miles (16 km) of trails, including the popular "Impoundment Trail", and two boardwalks that cross the impoundment and one of its smaller coves. Trail segments are a part of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000 mile long system of trails connecting Maine to Florida.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
John Heinz
National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum Trail Map
urban
academy
efuge
Located ¾ mile from the trailhead and
parking area the observation tower is a great
location for viewing wildlife.
On a clear day, visitors are rewarded with the iconic view of the
Philadelphia skyline across Tinicum Tidal Marsh. This scene is a 2.5 mile
hike (5 miles round trip) from the visitor center.
Welcome to America’s First Urban Refuge
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at
Tinicum is home to the largest remaining
freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania, known
as Tinicum Marsh. The refuge was established
with three primary purposes; to protect
Tinicum Marsh, to promote environmental
education, and to provide visitors with an area
to view wildlife. These public lands
provide prime habitat for feeding and
resting migratory birds along the
Atlantic Flyway. The refuge is a unique,
urban oasis where both people
and wildlife can find their
space in the outdoors.
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For more information:
215-365-3118
www.fws.gov/heinz
@JohnHeinzNWR
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Paddling the marsh is one of the best ways
to experience the refuge. You can see Wild
rice emerging over 10 feet out of the marsh.
The creek is accessible for paddling two
hours after a low tide and lasting for up to
5 additional hours following the low tide.
Tide charts can be found in the visitor
center and online.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum
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Bill Moses
America’s First Urban Refuge
after your pets and yourself. Feeding of
wildlife is prohibited
USFWS
Pennsylvania fishing licenses are
required and refuge specific regulations
are enforced. Fishing is permitted except
where otherwise marked. See the fishing
brochure for further information.
Recreational fishing is allowed in
designated areas. Anglers must comply
with refuge, state, and local fishing
regulations. Free equipment is available
to borrow at the visitor center.
Bumblebees can be found pollinating
native wildflowers like this Blazing
Star throughout the refuge. Refuge staff,
partners, and community organizations
work together to provide pollinator habitat.
Regulations
Refuge trails are open 365 days per year
from sunrise to sunset. Visitor Center
hours are from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
Collecting plants or animals, camping,
littering, setting fires, possessing
firearms, weapons, fireworks, and
swimming are prohibited.
Bicycling is permitted on service roads
unless otherwise marked.
Please stay on designated trails, keep
dogs on 6 foot leashes, and clean up
History of the Land
Tinicum Marsh was known as tennakon
minquas or “islands of the marsh” by the
Lenape. Marshlands once spread across
5,000 acres, supporting the Lenape for
generations as they fished, hunted, and
gathered. By the mid-1600’s, European
settlers arrived, draining and filling
the marshes to provide for farming
practices. As Philadelphia grew, the
marshes dwindled from over 5,000 acres
to just 200 acres. In 1969, construction
of Interstate 95 and landfills threatened
Tinicum Marsh once more. Local
residents and community organizations
took action to save the marsh. In 1972,
Congress passed legislation authorizing
the protection of up to 1,200 acres
and establishing Tinicum National
Environmental Center. In 1991, the
refuge was renamed posthumously
to honor Senator John Heinz and his
commitment to the conservation efforts
of Tinicum Marsh.
The Red-Bellied Turtle is a Pennsylvania
threatened species that is commonly
found at the refuge in aquatic habitats.
Their populations are threatened by
habitat loss and competition from the
exotic Red-eared slider.
In this photo, the elusive Least Bittern
is stretching out to target its next
meal. These secretive birds can go
unnoticed except to the most observant
eyes along wetlands.
The refuge is committed to providing
nature-based environmental educational
and interpretive programming,
encouraging citizens to embrace the
nature around them.
A Home for Wildlife & People
Bursting with plants and wildlife, the
tidal marsh is an incredibly productive
ecosystem. The marsh also serves as a
natural filter for pollutants, acting as
“living sponge” to absorb heavy rains and
floodwaters.
refuge is part of a network of habitat
corridors, parks, and transportation
routes, including the Circuit Trails and
East Coast Greenway. Refuge staff
work in partnership with community
members to engage young people
and their families where they are,
connecting them with nature-based
opportunities just outside their doors.
The refuge maintains a strong partnership
with the Friends of Heinz Refuge. This
local, volunteer-based non-profit shares
the refuge’s passion for wildlife, sharing
knowledge with their neighbors and
standing firm for conservation. Whether
it is an environmental ethic, a love of bird
watching, or a love of greenspace, likeminded volunteers gather here to support
the refuge and contribute to the good of
their communi