Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Cute place but unfortunately it was closed due to covid.nnThere were some interesting birds there.nnKeep public land public!

Just visited this incredible place the first week of May 2020. The visitor center is closed but fabulous bathrooms are open and you can walk and hike and drive all around the refuge. Breathtaking views of natural areas...ponds, rivers, marshes, meadows and rock cliffs all with unique and wonderful birds and wildlife. The 42 mile drive through the refuge is a must as is the walk to the Benton pond area where we spotted a great horned owl and the P Ranch where we observed a bald eagle in it’s nest high in a cottonwood tree. Take the time to truly look around and enjoy. And don’t forget to visit The Round Barn where there are more nesting owls and flocks of migrating shore birds in the pond. Awesome!

A good day-trip to drive loop. Best season is spring when there is lots of water and birds. Consider camping or staying in a room at Crystal Crane Hot springs. Yes in October visitor center still closed. Bathrooms open and very nice. Walking paths to birdwatch.

Beautiful drive through Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in October. Likely not as many birds as in the spring, but good fall colors. Visitor Center is closed due to COVID, but we downloaded the audio tour podcast by Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and drove along the Refuge Center Patrol Road which was very informative and interesting.

Achingly beautiful bird sanctuary