Facility Activities

A bench, surrounded by trees and ferns, overlooks a sunny bay and marsh
Image Details

At Nestucca Bay NWR, the patient observer will be rewarded with many wildlife viewing opportunities. A visit from late October to early April is ideal for those wanting to see thousands of wintering white-cheeked geese.

 

Fishing

Portions of the refuge are open to fishing and shellfishing.A bank fishing area is located along the Little Nestucca River, off of Hwy 130.  There is free public parking and an access trail for bank fishing along a lower section of the Little Nestucca River.Bank fishing from the Two...

Birding

Birding is one of the most popular activities at the refuge.  Spring brings migratory songbirds and the woods are filled with their song.  Fall marks the arrival of thousands of ducks and geese that spend the winter months in the refuge's pastures, tidal marshes and freshwater wetlands...

Shell fishing

Shell fishing, primarily for softshell clams, is available on state and refuge lands at Brooten Marsh and on mudflats at the mouth of the Little Nestucca River. Check the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Shell Fishing Regulations for restrictions, bag limits, season dates and safety...

Hiking

On the Pacific View Trail you'll find an easy, accessible 15-minute walk on a paved surface with rest benches. The trail ends at an observation deck where you will be treated to a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean, Pacific City’s Haystack Rock, Nestucca Bay, the Coast Range,...

Wildlife watching

There are many opportunities to see black-tailed deer, townsend's chipmunks, Douglas squirrel and many different species of birds at Nestucca Bay!  

Boating - non-motorized

Superior recreational paddling opportunities await you in the Nestucca Watershed.  The Tillamook County Water Trail system is a National Recreation Trail and a free guidebook provides all you need to know about paddling in the rivers around the wildlife refuge.  Download the Nestucca...

Hunting

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1991 to protect and enhance habitat for dusky Canada geese and Aleutian cackling geese. The refuge works under cooperative agreement with local farmers to manage pasture habitat for forage for wintering geese.Species:...

Photography
Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you’ll find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Wildlife photography is a priority public use on national wildlife refuges, so you’ll find wildlife drives and blinds and overlooks to help you get the images you’re after.
Picnicking

There are two picnic tables at Nestucca Bay.  One is located within the Discovery Nature Garden in the lower parking lot along Christensen Road.  It is accessible for people with mobility issues.  The second picnic area is at the tip of the Two Rivers Peninsula.  This...