Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in Chatham MA, consists of South Monomoy, North Monomoy Island, Minimoy Island and a portion of Morris Island. The 7,604 acres within its boundary are one of the last wild barrier beach island in Massachusetts consisting of uplands and sand dunes, freshwater ponds, salt and freshwater marshes. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the Refuge to enhance and protect native plants and wildlife, with special emphasis on endangered species and migratory birds. Many of these migratory birds, including Piping Plover, American Oystercatchers, Common and Roseate Terns nest here. It’s not just birds that call Monomoy home, the Refuge supports a population of the endangered Northeast Beach Tiger Beetle and the Seabeach Amaranth. The diversity of plant and animal life visible from refuge trails provides visitors with excellent opportunities for wildlife observation and nature study.


Located on the "elbow" of Cape Cod, the Refuge stretches approximately ten miles southward into the waters of Nantucket Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Half of Monomoy's acreage was designated a Wilderness Area in 1970, and is managed under the guidelines of the Wilderness Act of 1964. It is the only coastal Wilderness Area in New England.

The Wilderness designation recognizes areas where the earth is undeveloped, its community of life are untrammeled, and humans are visitors which leave no trace that they had been there so that the next visitor may have the same experience as the first. In addition, in 1999, the Refuge was designated a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network Regional Site. Nearly half of Monomoy's 7,921 acres is designated as Wilderness.

Morris Island Loop Trail

The Morris Island Trail itself traverses through beach, forest, dunes, salt marshes, and tidal flats. It is a pristine location for bird watching, with visitors being able to view magnificent migratory birds such as piping plovers, roseate terns, and red knots. After reaching the western-most end of the Refuge’s trail system, visitors can choose to continue on a beach loop over Chatham Conservation Foundation and Town land.

Download a Trail Map

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Monomoy Lighthouse

The Monomoy Lighthouse Complex is the only remaining evidence of Monomoy's cultural heritage. The Light served as a coastal landmark for sailors navigating the treacherous Pol-luck Rip off Monomoy Point from 1828 to 1923. Situated at the south end of South Monomoy, the complex includes a wooden light keeper's house, a cast iron light tower lined with brick, and an adjacent brick generator house. It sits near the original dune line, now one half mile inland, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Monomoy Lighthouse is accessible only by boat.