Visitors Center
**IMPORTANT VISITOR UPDATE**- Effective 1/15/25: Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) – Temporarily Closed Due to Confirmed Cases of Bird Flu Virus**
As a precautionary measure to protect the health and safety of our visitors, MCR has temporarily suspended public access to our facilities, including the visitor center.
Recent news reports indicate that the Bird Flu virus (H5N1) has been detected in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and surrounding areas. This virus primarily impacts waterfowl and other birds that tend to flock and roost together, such as snow geese and crows. Recently, dead or sick birds have been spotted at MCR, and we have reported these findings to the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife (NJDFW) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) for further evaluation. The NJDFW has confirmed that the virus was detected in the birds found on site.
This temporary closure is to prevent any visitors from coming into contact with sick or dead birds.
MCR is coordinating closely with state and federal wildlife agencies, and we will keep you informed about this situation on our website and Facebook page regarding when we will reopen.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this time.
Thank you,
MCR Management
The Merrill Creek Visitors Center was opened to the public in June 1989. It is staffed and is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., five days a week (Wednesday through Sunday), year round, except for New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4th, Veteran’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The Visitors Center contains an orientation area with a 100-seat auditorium, two classrooms; offices and a variety of exhibit space. It is the focal point of the environmental education activities that serve students of all ages and thousands of visitors annually.
The Visitors Center contains a variety of exhibits appealing to diverse audiences. Historical, cultural, and wildlife exhibits are available. A bird feeding/wildlife viewing area is located outside the windows on the east side of the building. A demonstration butterfly/hummingbird garden has been established behind the Visitors Center. The following items can also be found at the Visitors Center: a weather station, interactive computer kiosk, spotting scope, and an interactive “kids corner.” Brochures and other resources are provided at this location.
Since 1989, Merrill Creek Reservoir (MCR) has granted access to the public to enjoy its tranquil setting, natural environment, and limited low impact recreational activities.
Please park in designated parking areas only, as there is no parking permitted anywhere else at MCR, including roadside parking. Parking along roadsides and other areas at MCR is for authorized vehicles only.
MCR is a privately owned property, please help us to keep MCR safe and secure for all to enjoy by strictly following our new property recreation hours. Thank you.
