Rules & Regulations
Mass Audubon's property rules, in plain English
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary is foot travel only: stay on the trails, and leave dogs, pets, bikes and horses at home (service animals are welcome). Mass Audubon prohibits collecting, smoking, hunting, fishing, releasing animals and feeding wildlife. Camping is by permit only, at Perkins Island. Commercial photography needs Mass Audubon's approval in advance. The trails are open dawn to dusk, Tuesday through Sunday, plus Monday holidays.
Rules at a Glance
Mass Audubon's Property Regulations
- Foot travel only; please stay on trails. Day passes are available for powered mobility devices.
- Dog walking and horseback riding are prohibited. Leave all animals and pets at home; service animals are welcome.
- Collecting, smoking, hunting, fishing, releasing animals and feeding wildlife are prohibited.
- Camping by permit only, at Perkins Island.
- Commercial photography needs prior approval; Mass Audubon publishes photography guidelines.
What the Rules Mean in Practice
- No bikes anywhere on the sanctuary trails, including the wide carriage roads. Ride the Topsfield Linear Common rail trail nearby instead.
- No fishing from the banks, the boardwalks or a canoe.
- No feeding the chickadees or any other birds, even from your hand.
- No picking flowers, berries or mushrooms, and no taking rocks or feathers.
- No releasing pets or wildlife, including turtles or fish.
On the Water
Paddling at the sanctuary is in Mass Audubon's rental boats only; private boats aren't allowed. Renters must be 18 or older, everyone in a canoe wears a Coast Guard-rated Level III life jacket, boats stay out of Bunker Meadows, and there's no swimming, fishing or feeding wildlife. Details on canoe and kayak rentals.
Camping on Perkins Island
Campers stay only at their assigned site and carry their permit, burn only sanctuary firewood in the site's fire pit, pack out all waste (human waste in the bags provided), use only Mass Audubon canoes, and observe quiet hours from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am with headset radios only. No pets, drugs, alcohol, smoking, fireworks or firearms. See Perkins Island camping.
At the Innermost Cabin
No pets, tents, smoking, alcohol, firearms, fireworks or open fires; no flame of any kind inside; cook outside on the picnic table; cars stay in the visitor lot. See the Innermost Cabin.
Photography
Personal photos are part of a normal visit. Commercial photography, such as paid portrait or product shoots, needs Mass Audubon's approval before you come; its photography guidelines are linked from the sanctuary page's regulations.
Fires and Fire Bans
Open fires are allowed only in Perkins Island's fire pits, by campers. When Topsfield, Wenham or Hamilton bans open fires for wildfire risk, Mass Audubon may prohibit campfires on the island too.
Why So Strict?
Ipswich River is a wildlife sanctuary, and the rules keep disturbance low for beavers, otters, nesting birds and the waterfowl that gather in Bunker Meadows. If you want a place with dogs, bikes and fishing, the state properties next door allow them; see things to do in Topsfield.
Source of Record
Rules can change. Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary page lists the current property regulations.
Rules FAQ
Can you ride a bike at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary?
No. Mass Audubon allows foot travel only. Powered mobility devices can get a day pass.
Is fishing allowed at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary?
No. Fishing is prohibited on the sanctuary, from shore or from a boat.
Can you feed the birds at Ipswich River?
No. Mass Audubon's regulations prohibit feeding wildlife, including hand-feeding chickadees.
Is smoking allowed at the sanctuary?
No. Smoking is prohibited on the sanctuary.
Do I need permission to take photos at Ipswich River?
Not for personal photos. Commercial photography needs Mass Audubon's prior approval.