Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

The Refuge is a true gem and a great place to escape life’s hustle & bustle and is convenient to get to from so many places.nnThe Extended Walking Paths are open May 1 - September 30.nnBut you can still get some really good steps in on the other paths.nnThe loop we did clocked in at 2.25 miles, which included an optional slight hill that offered some really nice views.nnThis Refuge is such a Wildlife Sanctuary.nIt’s peaceful, teaming with wildlife, and quiet except for the sounds of nature.nnWe saw and heard a variety of birds.nIt’s really fun trying to figure them out!

This wildlife refuge is a delightful place for people to take a relaxing walk, and hopefully, see the local residents. The year-round trail is about a mile long, and is made of fine gravel on nice level ground. During the summer, a longer service road with somewhat coarser gravel follows a 3 mile trip around the perimeter of the property. The seasonal closure is to give the animals the space all to themselves for their nesting seasons.nThis is former farmland that is being allowed to return to its original state of being a wetlands floodplain.nWe visited during the summer, and most of the wildlife we ended up seeing was on the service road in the more remote parts of the refuge. We spotted deer, a hawk, egrets, herons, geese, nutria, and heard lots of birds that were keeping a respectful distance.nDuring the pandemic, all the buildings (visitor center, ranger station, and restrooms) were closed, half of the parking lot was roped off, and there were two portable restrooms available. At the end of our walk, we wandered to a space between the visitor center and the ranger station, finding a shaded bench with a view of the larger pond - it's a view worth seeking out whether the buildings are open or not.nThey have done a wonderful job of allowing people to visit and enjoy a space that is not really intended for them.

Very nice walk in the trees saw two young deer and several birds.

We saw so much wildlife there! A doe and her 2 newborn fawn. Skunks and their little pack of babies skunks, 2 beavers, abundance of birds. Can't wait to see it during the fall.

A fantastic place to visit with great amenities. Good hiking trails that are nice and flat.