Tully Wildlife Refuge

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Tully Wildlife Refuge, located in the state of Massachusetts, offers visitors a unique and diverse natural experience.


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Summary

This summary is based on information obtained from multiple independent sources, ensuring accuracy.

Reasons to Visit:
1. Breathtaking Scenery: Tully Wildlife Refuge boasts stunning landscapes, including dense forests, shimmering ponds, and rolling hills. Its 7,179 acres of protected land provide a serene escape from the bustling city life.
2. Abundant Wildlife: The refuge is home to diverse wildlife species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers. Visitors have the chance to spot white-tailed deer, black bears, beavers, moose, and a variety of bird species.
3. Outdoor Activities: Tully Wildlife Refuge offers a range of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking along the refuge's numerous trails, birdwatching, fishing, canoeing, and camping.

Points of Interest:
1. Doanes Falls: A popular attraction within the refuge, Doanes Falls features a series of picturesque waterfalls cascading through a rocky gorge. The falls are accessible via a short hike, making it a must-see spot for nature lovers and photographers.
2. Tully Lake: With its crystal-clear waters and surrounded by lush greenery, Tully Lake provides a serene setting for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck with trout, bass, and pickerel.
3. Long Pond: This large pond offers a tranquil setting for boating and fishing. It is also a perfect spot for picnicking, surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Interesting Facts:
1. Tully Wildlife Refuge is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and is part of the Tully River/Tully Lake watershed.
2. The refuge's diverse habitats make it an important area for breeding and migrating bird species, including the rare Bicknell's thrush.
3. Tully Wildlife Refuge is part of the larger Tully-Metacomet region, which is known for its unique geological history and features.

Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Tully Wildlife Refuge is during the spring and fall. Spring offers vibrant blooming wildflowers and the opportunity to witness migratory birds returning. Fall brings stunning foliage colors, creating a picturesque setting for hiking and nature walks. Summer is also popular, offering comfortable temperatures for various outdoor activities, though it can get crowded on weekends.

Please note that it is always recommended to check the official Tully Wildlife Refuge website or contact the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game for the most up-to-date information on visiting hours, activities, and any restrictions.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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