Cape Cod & The Islands

Long Point Wildlife Refuge

West Tisbury

632 acres

Whether you want to body surf in the ocean, splash with the kids in a sheltered pond, explore a globally rare sand plain grassland habitat, or go birding in a diverse range of habitats, this spectacular reservation is a favorite escape.

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Plan Your Visit
  • Overview
  • Ideas for Your Visit
  • Admission & Hours
  • Directions & Contact Info
  • Facilities & Accessibility
  • Venue Rental
  • Property Map
  • Regulations & Advisories

Overview

Long Point Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest publicly accessible conservation properties on Martha’s Vineyard. In the early 20th century, seasonal residents established waterfowl hunting clubs. Later, as club membership decreased, three remaining members of the Tisbury Pond Club gave Long Point to The Trustees. Since then, fire suppression, loss of farmland, and forests regrowth have all worked to change the landscape. Today, the refuge hosts globally rare plants and wildlife uniquely adapted to its contiguous pitch pine-scrub oak forest, expanses of sandplain grasslands and shrublands, and sandy beach.

Passes
Passes are required from mid-June to mid-September and will not be sold onsite. Please visit the admissions and hours tab for information.

For any questions, please reach out to islands@thetrustees.org or 978-578-2320

Ideas for Your Visit

Swim and relax by the water or follow a two-mile trail that leads through oak forest and savannah. Kayak and standup paddleboard rentals are available daily in June, July, and August; visit the link below to rent a vessel and explore Long Cove Pond on your own self-guided excursion. Please note that there are no lifeguards on duty at Long Point.

Rentals

Admission & Hours

The Long Point Wildlife Refuge Summer Entrance will open on June 14, 2025 and close on September 14, 2025. Daily hours of operation are 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The last entry is at 5:00 PM and patrons are required to exit promptly before 7 PM. Please honor the hours of your reservation, 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM or 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM to allow others to enjoy the Refuge.

Tickets:

Advanced daily passes are required due to high demand. Please be aware that tickets will not be sold onsite.

Passes

Tickets are released weekly on Wednesday mornings for dates for the following week (Saturday-Friday). Additional tickets will be added day-of if capacity allows.

Admission:

If you are a member and do not know your Member ID use this link.

For member admissions discount, please verify/login to activate membership discount.

  • Contributing Level Membership: FREE. Reservation required.
  • Family Member Vehicle: $15
  • Non-Member Vehicle: $25
  • Last admission is 5:00 PM
  • ALL OVER OSV Permit: FREE – Online reservation required
  • Library Day Pass Permit: FREE, no reservation required
  • Pedestrian/bikes: FREE, no reservation required

FAQs:

How do I travel to the Long Point Summer Entrance?

The entrance is located off of Edgartown Rd in West Tisbury. Begin by taking Waldron’s Bottom Rd, after 1.5 miles proceed left on Scrubby Neck Rd. The entrance to the Preserve will be to the right on Hughes Thumb Rd. Speed limit is 15 MPH for the entire road. Waldron’s Bottom Road is a single-lane, private residential area, with limited sight distance. Please drive responsibly and watch for pedestrians, children, pets, and bicyclists.

Do I have to show my reservation when I arrive?

Yes, you will be asked to provide proof of purchase upon arrival, either by name of customer or presentation of ticket (printed or digital).

What are the reservation times?

Reservations are separated in two sections; 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Please be considerate to other guests and abide by your reserved time.

Can I cancel and/or get a refund for my reservation?

Passes purchased at full, or member discounted rates are non-refundable. Long Point is open rain or shine.

Can I change the date or time of my reservation?

At this time, we are unable to accommodate requests for change of date.

What is the latest I can enter Long Point?

The last entry for the day is 5:00 PM.

Can I turnback/return free member tickets?

Contributing members and above can turn back free passes ahead of their event by clicking the link and following the prompts: https://tickets.thetrustees.org/orders .

Passes returned on time will be made available for reissue during day of sale release. This link is for turning back free passes only. This will not allow you to rebook your reservation to another date.

Are restrooms available?

We provide portable restrooms in addition to a well-fed shower and washing station.

The date I want to come is sold out online, can I purchase a parking pass when I get there?  

Due to very high demand, and to help guests plan their visit, advance passes are required daily.  Please be aware that tickets will not be sold onsite.  Additional passes may be released for day-of sale if cancelations occur. Check the website daily for updates on day of sale purchasing.

Can I kayak and paddle board at Long Cove Pond?

Yes, kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals on Long Cove Pond will be available all summer!

Are you a “Beach within Reach”? 

We provide mobility transport and beach wheelchairs services. Please see parking lot staff to assist with these needs.

 For any questions, please reach out to islands@thetrustees.org or call 508-693-7662  

Directions & Contact Info

Summer Entrance – mid-June to mid-September

Off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road turn onto Waldrons Bottom Road (15 mph) follow road to the end and turn left onto Scrubby Neck Road. In 300 feet turn right onto Hughes Thumb Road and proceed to gatehouse straight ahead.

Winter Entrance – Outside of the above dates

Off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road turn onto Deep Bottom Rd. and follow for 1.5 mi., always bearing left at forks. Then at the Hanging Long Point “T” sign, turn right onto Thumb Point Rd. and follow for 1.3 mi. Through the Frost Bottom to the off-season parking area.

Phone:
508.693.7662

Email: islands@thetrustees.org

Facilities & Accessibility

Mid-June to mid-September, we offer accessible portable toilets and a foot-washing station.

Limited mobility transport services and beach wheelchairs are available. Inquire at the entry gate.

Venue Rental

Long Point Beach Cottage is available for weekly rentals. Click here for more information or contact Sandpiper Rentals at 508.627.6070 or rent@sandpiperrental.com.

We welcome school and youth groups for experiential educational programs. Please visit our Education Page for details and to initiate a visit request.

Property Map

To view or download a trail map, click here.

Regulations & Advisories

  • Due to very high demand, and to help guests plan their visit, advance passes are required daily from mid-June to mid-September. Please be aware that tickets will not be sold onsite. A number of passes may be released for day- of sale. Check the website daily for updates on day of sale purchasing.
  • Please be respectful of our neighbors and obey posted speed limits while driving along Waldron’s Bottom Road and Deep Bottom Road. Failure to abide by posted speed limits will result in immediate dismissal from the property.
  • Radios and alcohol are not allowed.
  • Bikes are not permitted along our trails and the beach, please leave bikes at designated parking areas upon entering the property.
  • Due to our special status as a wildlife refuge, dogs, horses, and other pets are not permitted, year-round.
  • Ticks and poison ivy may be abundant along trail edges.
  • Swimming may be hazardous due to rough surf and undertows. There are no lifeguards on duty; swim at your own risk.
  • There are no trash receptacles. Please carry out what you carry in. Trail and beach wheelchairs are available.
  • Authorized seasonal hunting is allowed on this reservation with written permission for a limited number of hunters through a deer management program administered by The Trustees. Per MassWildlife regulations, hunting is permitted from the first Monday in October through December each year, from ½ hour before sunrise all day until ½ hour after sunset, Monday through Saturday. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. Signage is posted at the property listing safety precautions and requirements. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties. Any questions may be directed to The Trustees at info@thetrustees.org.
  • PHOTOGRAPHY: We ask that photographers or their clients become Contributing Level Members before conducting portrait sessions at this property. Click here for more information, and to request permission for any portrait sessions. The Trustees of Reservations reserves the right, and may give permission to its designated photographers and videographers, or to outside media, to photograph or video visitors and program participants at all its facilities and properties.
Before Setting Out
More to Explore

Yoga with YogiJay

Join Jason Mazar-Kelly (YogiJay) for yoga at Long Point Wildlife Refuge. Take in the ocean air and sounds during this incredible outdoor experience.

Jason is an experienced yoga, meditation, and mindfulness teacher with thousands of hours of training and practice in various traditions and modalities. He has been teaching since 2014 and practicing since 2011. In this class he will guide you through a variety of movements and meditations which integrate breathwork to leave all practitioners, no matter your level, with a feeling of calm and release by the end of the practice.

Register Here
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History

The Wampanoag, who have been on Martha’s Vineyard for millennia, depended on the land at Long Point for agriculture (corn, mostly), fuel (firewood), fishing, and hunting/gathering. In the 1600s, the first white settlers learned from these traditions and techniques; over a 30-year period in the second half of the 17th century, colonists acquired from the natives all of what is now called Long Point.

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