Visit Us
Just a short ride from Portland, Oregon, the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is a fantastic destination to see a wide variety of wildlife, including over 200 species of birds, and a variety of mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and plants and insects. Visitors can view many different habitats, including wetland views, oak woodland, forest, and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian habitats. Visitors can choose to see as much or as little as they want; take a quick stop to look over our wetlands, and catch a glimpse of the many waterfowl and shorebirds; spend some time in our visitor center, and explore an interpretive exhibit; or take a walk on our trails.
Hours
Trails and parking lot: open daily from dawn to dusk
Visitor Center: open Tuesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m, weekly
What is there to do at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge?
Here are some staff suggestions for enjoying Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge.
If you have 15-minutes...
Walk up to our viewing platform (located between the Visitor Center and administrative building) that overlooks our permanent ponds (wetlands) to see a variety of waterfowl, wading birds, and other wildlife.
If you have one hour...
Stop into our Visitor Center – check out our interpretive exhibit, ask our volunteers about the wildlife we have at the refuge, or look through a scope to look out into the wetland. Walk around the bioswale in the parking to see native shrubs and wildflowers.
If you have half a day or more...
Take a walk on our year-round trail or seasonal trail (open May 1– September 30). Our year-round trail is two miles out-and-back trail, which takes visitors through oak and forested habitat, and ends in a wetland overlook platform. Our seasonal trail (closed during the winter to provide sanctuary for wintering waterfowl) gets closer to wetlands, and provides an additional two miles of looped trail.
Activities
Trails
Immerse yourself in a variety of Pacific Northwest habitats—from wetlands to forests to riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian corridors—along two stunning and relatively easy trails. Our River Trail is open year-round, while the Wetland Trail is open May 1 through September 30 (closed outside of those dates to protect wintering waterfowl). Wildlife viewing experiences change almost daily, so plan your visit today and we hope you return again and again.
The following information is provided in great detail so people of all needs and abilities can plan the experience that’s right for them. If any information is unclear or inaccurate, please call us at (503) 625-5944 or email tualatinriver@fws.gov.
Trail Facts for All Trails
Planning Your Visit
Number to talk to a person: (503) 625-5944, daily 8am-4pm
Trailhead physical address: 19255 SW Pacific Highway, Sherwood, OR 97140
Trail hours: Dawn to Dusk
Visitor Center hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
Fee: Free (There appears to be a fee booth as you enter the refuge, but you can drive right past it)
Rules: All trails are for pedestrians only. Biking, jogging, and pets are prohibited (with the exception of service animals)
Arriving
Entrance: The refuge is entered directly off Highway 99 via a deceleration lane. The asphalt driveway curves slightly uphill to the parking lot, Visitor Center, and trailheads.
Parking: There are two solid surface parking lots, an upper and lower lot. The upper lot is the primary parking area and is directly connected to trailheads, the Visitor Center, and amenities. The lower lot is generally for overflow and is not directly connected to trailheads.
Accessible parking: Yes, the upper lot has a total of four designated spots.
Trailhead near parking: Yes. Both trails start near the Education Shelter in the upper parking lot.
Public transit: Yes, TriMet bus route 94. The bus drops off along Highway 99 in front of the refuge. A compacted gravel trail with a mild uphill grade connects to the upper parking lot and Visitor Center.
Bicycle Parking: Yes, while bikes are not permitted on the trails, you are welcome to bike to the refuge. A designated bike lock area is located next to the upper parking lot near the Education Shelter.
Amenities
Bathrooms near parking: Yes, located in the Education Shelter dawn to dusk and inside the Visitor Center Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm.
Water near parking: Yes, drinking fountains and bottle fill stations are located in the Education Shelter dawn to dusk and inside the Visitor Center Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm.
Other Facilities in the Complex
A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are generally managed by a central office location. Refuges are grouped in a complex because they occur in a similar ecological region (like a watershed or habitat type) and have a related purpose and management needs.
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, with Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge, is part of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge currently serves as the Complex headquarters, and staff work to manage both refuges. Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge became an official refuge in 2013, but has been closed to the public until 2021.
Rules and Policies
In order for our refuge to remain a protected place, we ask visitors to please be mindful and respectful to the habitat and wildlife. Respect wildlife and admire from a distance, and do not collect anything from the refuge, including flowers or feathers. In order to protect wildlife, pets are prohibited at the refuge, so please leave pets at home. Running is also disruptive to wildlife, so we also ask visitors to refrain from running on the trails.
Locations
From Portland to the Visitor Center and Headquarters: Head to 1-5 S; remain on freeway and take exit 294 to merge onto Barbur Blvd/OR-99W/Pacific Hwy W toward Tigard/Newberg; continue on Pacific Hwy for 6.9 miles