Nearly 100,000 visitors use the one-mile Carson Trail at the Wells headquarters; one of five developed trails on the refuge. The headquarters trail in Upper Wells has an informational kiosk and composting restrooms. The 1.8-mile Cutts Island Trail in Brave Boat Harbor Division has trail signs and restrooms. The Timber Point Trail is located in the Little River Division at the end of Granite Point Road in Biddeford, Maine. This 1.25-mile walk takes you through a variety of habitats and ends on the rocky shore over looking the Atlantic Ocean. Carry-in boat access is available on Chauncy Creek at the intersection of Cutts Island and Seapoint Roads in Kittery, the Little River launch site is located at the end of Granite Point Road in Biddeford, and a third launch site is at the Spurwink River Division by Rt. 77 in Scarborough. Parking is available through verbal agreement with the Towns. The Goosefare Brook Trail and overlook offers parking, a short stone-dust trail and interpreted observation platform with views of the marsh and beach. However, there is no beach access from this location. The Bridle Path and Atlantic Way and Ted Wells Trails provide views of refuge habitat in Kennebunk and Saco and Old Orchard Beach. These trails are located on and adjacent to refuge property and are maintained by municipal or private non-profit organizations.

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 in cooperation with the State of Maine to protect valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. Located along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties, the refuge consists of eleven divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth. It will contain approximately 14,600 acres when land acquisition is complete. The proximity of the refuge to the coast and its location between the eastern deciduous forest and the boreal forest creates a composition of plants and animals not found elsewhere in Maine. Major habitat types present on the refuge include forested upland, barrier beach/dune, coastal meadows, tidal salt marsh, and the distinctive rocky coast.