Visit Us
National Wildlife Refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Change is constant and necessary at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, providing new experiences with each visit. Daily and seasonal tides, seasons, weather patterns, life cycles and migrating animals all contribute to the consistent flow of opportunities. What will your next visit unveil?
Activities
Click on the Activities below to learn more!
Trails
Download Our Trails Brochure: English / Español
Visit our homepage to view any current alerts, including trail closures.
Please note, dogs are not allowed on any refuge trails. See specific trail descriptions for bicycle allowances.
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East Hills Trails
Willapa Art Trail
Difficulty: Easy, Boardwalk, Accessible
Length (one-way): 0.25 mi
Trailhead Location: Cutthroat Creek near milepost 24 on State Route 101. Trail starts through the green pedestrian gate in the southwest corner of parking area
Note: Boardwalk can be slippery when wet or icy. Please use caution during winter months.
Commemorating the restoration of the small stream, art pieces are placed along the curving boardwalk to tell the stories of the waterway and the many species that live there. Students from the University of Washington Public Arts Program designed, constructed, and installed the artwork for the trail under the direction of professors John Young, Ian Robertson, and Jim Nicholls.
Cutthroat Climb
Difficulty: Hard, steep stairs
Length (round-trip): 1 mi Loop
Trailhead Location: leaves from the Willapa Art Trail
Artist Becca Weiss's birds are your companion as the trail rises - and then falls - steeply through the deep-woods of old-growth hemlocks and ferns. The trail has some wooden steps. Be sure to watch you footing as the trail may be slippery and tree roots may cause tripping hazards.
Along the trail are interactive signs with the tracks of forest inhabitants and silhouettes of aquatic life to challenge your wild knowledge.
Teal Slough
Difficulty: Easy
Length (one-way): 0.5 mi
Trailhead Location: 1.6 mi north of the refuge headquarters office on State Route 101. Parking is available on the south side of the road in a pullout in front of a gate. Please do not block gate access. The trail follows the old road behind the gate for ~300 ft where a small sign directs you to the east traveling trail.
Although this remnant coastal old-growth forest is home to marbled murrelets, and Dunn’s and Van Dyke’s salamanders, they are rarely viewed by the casual observer.
This trail is also located with a hunting area (typically September- January, check regulations for specific dates).
Greenhead Slough Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length (one-way): 0.5 mi
Trailhead Location: Highway 101 between Bear River Bridge and Greenhead Slough Bridge near mile marker 20. Turn east at the bridge on the east side of the highway and drive into parking area. Enter trail past gate to the east of the parking area.
This trail through the coastal forest offers views of restoring estuary, freshwater streams and wetlands. Years of habitat restoration and fish barrier removal projects have restored 150 acres of estuary and opened ten miles of freshwater streams for spawning and rearing by coho and chum salmon, cutthroat trout, and brook lamprey. A variety of songbirds, raptors and waterfowl can be seen. Access is by foot and bicycle only.
Note: This trail ends after 0.5 miles. Look for refuge boundary signs that mark the end of the trail and do not proceed further onto private property. This trail is also located with a hunting area (typically September- January, check regulations for specific dates).
South Bay Trails
South Bay Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length (one-way): 0.6 mi
Trailhead Location: Follow 95th Street east from Sandridge Rd to parking area. Enter trail through the gate south of parking area.
The South Bay Trail winds through grasslands, coastal forests, freshwater and estuary wetland habitats and offers unparalleled views of Willapa Bay, one of the West Coast’s most pristine water bodies and important migratory bird habitats. The overlook at the end of the trail is a great place to see large flocks of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as bald eagles. Lucky visitors may spot river otters, elk, and black bear. Access is by foot only.
The South Bay Trail Overlook was made possible by the Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Templin Foundation, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Commission for Environmental Cooperation, Brothers Concrete, Inc., Willapa Bay Tile, Quatrefoil, Inc., Timberdoodle Studio, dedicated volunteers and refuge staff.
Tarlatt Slough Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length (one-way): 0.7 mi
Trailhead Location: Follow 95th Street east from Sandridge Rd to parking area. Enter trail through the gate south of parking area. (*Note: Parking at 85th St is no longer available).
The trail has views of seasonal wetlands, open fields and young coastal forests, and coastal prairie restoration areas. Raptors, sparrows, waterfowl and the occasional elk, deer and black bear can be viewed from here. Barn, tree and violet green swallows are abundant in the summer. Access is by foot only.
Porter Point Loop
Difficulty: Moderate, some elevation gain
Length (round-trip): 2.4 mi Loop
Trailhead Location: Follow 67th Place east from Sandridge Road to end. Parking area is located on the south side of road. Enter trail through gate north of 67th Place, headed north.
Restoration activities to reestablish the natural tidal cycles and increase habitat for estuary dependent species have recently been completed. Tremendous views of Willapa Bay and large flocks of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl can be viewed on the bayside of the trail. This trail now forms a loop, entering a serene cedar swamp before climbing to and then descending from the ridgetop above Porter Point, ending back at the parking lot. Forest mammals are a rare but treasured sight, and raptors including bald eagles, northern harriers and American kestrels can also be seen.
Note: This trail can flood at high tides. Check tidal charts before entering the area. Portions of this trail are also adjacent to hunting areas (typically September-January, check regulations for specific dates). Access is by foot only.
Parker Slough Trail - *portion of trail closed Oct 1 - Feb 10
Difficulty: Easy
Length (one-way): 1.5 mi
Trailhead Location: Follow 67th Place east from Sandridge Road to end. Parking area is located on the south side of road. Enter trail through pedestrian gate to the east.
Restoration activities to restore the natural tidal cycles and increase habitat for estuary dependent species have recently been completed. Tremendous views of Willapa Bay and large flocks of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl can be viewed from this trail. Bald eagles, northern harriers and American kestrels may also be seen along with the occasional river otter, elk, and black bear.
*Note: A portion of this trail is closed during waterfowl hunting season, October 1 - February 10. Access is by foot only.
Long Island Trails - only accessible by boat
Explore 8+ miles of trails with access to beaches, meadows and forest. Access by boat only. Public ramp at Cutthroat Creek by MP 24 on US Hwy 101.
- No water on the island, bring your own
- Carry or consult a tide table
- Dogs prohibited on the island
- Bicycles allowed
Don Bonker Cedar Grove Trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Length (round-trip): 1 mi Loop
Trailhead Location: Near the center of the island. Land your boat at the old ferry landing (1/4mi from launch) on the southern tip of Long Island and follow the center road trail north, the trail to the Cedar Grove is ~2.5 mi from the landing. Alternatively, take a longer route (3 2/3mi from launch) and land your boat at Smoky Hollow Campground on the west side of the island, the trail to the Cedar Grove is ~1mi.
Take a stroll through an old growth cedar grove, viewing some of the largest cedar trees in the PNW as well as remnants of cedars (stumps left behind from the logging industry).
Center Road Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length (one-way): 3.7mi
Trailhead Location: Southern tip of the island at the old ferry landing. Trail can also be accessed by trails from each campground except Lewis.
***Caution: Tides and adverse weather conditions can make boating on Willapa Bay dangerous. These trails are also located within a hunting area (typically September- January, check regulations for specific dates).
Leadbetter Point Trails
Explore trails that wind along the bay and through shorepine forest on the northern tip of the beautiful Long Beach Peninsula.
- Trails often flooded from Oct - May
- Critical Bird Nesting Area, please obey posted signage for closed areas
- Carry or consult a tide table
- A Washington State Discover Pass is required for parking
- All trails accessed by the Leadbetter Point Parking Area at the end of Stackpole Road
- Trails located within hunting area (typically September - January)
Note: The Dune Forest Loop Trail and Martha Jordan Birding Trail are located in Leadbetter Point State Park, managed by Washington State Parks.
Bearberry Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length (one-way): 1.3 mi
Trek across the peninsula on this easy trail to sandy beaches. Along the way look for the low-growing bearberry carpeting the forest understory.
Bay Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Length (round-trip): 1.1 mi Loop
This easy loop takes you along the scenic bay where information panels share stories about the bay's bird life and salt marsh salt marsh
Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.
Learn more about salt marsh habitat. The return loops through shorepine forest.
Weather Beach Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length (one-way): 0.9 mi
From the Dune Forest Loop, stroll across the peninsula to the breaking surf. Along the way you'll see seasonal wetlands within the dunes that support life in the harsh landscape.
Beach Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length (one-way): 0.5 mi
Linking Weather Beach to the Bearberry Trail, this beach route offers the promise of viewing hundreds of thousands of shorebirds in spring and fall. Obey signs that designate closures for nesting birds.
Related Documents
Here you will find a variety of Refuge maps and resources.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex. A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.
Learn more about structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs. Typically, a project leader oversees the general management of all refuges within the complex and refuge managers are responsible for operations at specific refuges. Supporting staff, composed of administrative, law enforcement, biology, visitor services, and maintenance professionals, are generally, but not always, centrally located and support all refuges within the complex.
The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Complex consist of three refuges; Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer and Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge.
Rules and Policies
National Wildlife Refuges are places where wildlife comes first, and although people are welcome, activities are regulated and monitored to ensure that impacts are minimal to the plants and animals that call the refuge home, and so future generations can continue to enjoy for years to come.
Refuge Hours
Visitors are welcome to enjoy refuge trails every day from sunrise to sunset. The Headquarters Building is open from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, and is closed on all Federal holidays.
Hiking
Hiking is permitted on refuge trails. Please stay on trail to avoid habitat and wildlife disturbance.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed on the refuge except for dogs engaged in authorized hunting activities and certified service dogs.
Bicycles
Bicycles are allowed on Long Island and Greenhead Slough Trail. Bicycles are not allowed on any other refuge trails.
Take Only Memories (and photos!)
Please do not collect or move archeological or historic objects, or any natural material such as plants, mushrooms, berries, and antler sheds. If you pick something up to take a closer look, please put it back where you found it.
Camping
Camping is allowed in designated campsites on Long Island only. Please see the Camping page for detailed information.
Fires
Fires are prohibited, except in designated fire rings in Long Island campsites.
Hunting
Hunting of waterfowl, coot, snipe, deer, elk, bear and forest grouse is permitted on designated areas of the refuge. All state regulations apply.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted from the refuge-owned shoreline of Willapa Bay. Fishing is not permitted on refuge streams or interior sloughs. All state regulations apply.
Shellfish Harvesting
Clams and oysters can be harvested from designated public tidelands only. You must possess a state shellfish license.
Trapping
Trapping is allowed on Willapa NWR. Trapping is a wildlife management tool used on some national wildlife refuges. Trapping may be used to protect endangered and threatened species or migratory birds or to control certain wildlife populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also views trapping as a legitimate recreational and economic activity when there are harvestable surpluses of fur-bearing mammals. On this refuge trapping occurs only as a wildlife management tool and is prohibited to be conducted by the public. Signs are posted on refuges where trapping occurs. Contact the refuge manager for specific regulations.
Closures
Areas within refuge boundaries may be closed to public entry due to sensitive species, restoration activities, or for general maintenance, so please be aware of signs indicating closed areas. Each year, between March 15 and September 15, a portion of Leadbetter Point is closed to all public entry, including foot travel, to protect nesting snowy plovers, a sensitive and threatened species.
ATVs and Horses are prohibited on Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.
Drones
Launching and land of uncrewed aircraft/drones is prohibited on all national wildlife refuges.
Locations
Located on the southwest coast of Washington state, nestled between the Pacific Ocean, Willapa Bay, and the Columbia River, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is a remnant of the wild Pacific Northwest.
The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters is located in the coastal town of Long Beach, WA, off of Highway 101. Please be advised that navigation services are not necessarily reliable. We suggest confirming it is taking you to the correct address before proceeding. Access to the headquarters building is only available by way of Sandridge Road to 67th Place. Download a map with directions here.
Please see the "Visit Us" page for trail and recreational activity information.
Refuge Locations of Interest:
- Tarlatt Slough and South Bay Trails: From Sandridge Road take 95th Place east. Parking is available at end of road along the right side.
- Porter Point Loop Trail: From Sandridge Road take 67th Place east. Parking is available at the end of the road (approx. 2.5mi) in the lower parking lot at the Headquarters.
- Art Trail & Cutthroat Climb Trail: Located near mile marker 24 on Highway 101.
- Long Island Boat Launch: Located near mile marker 24 on Highway 101.
- Leadbetter Point: The northern most portion of the Long Beach Peninsula is accessed via Pacific Ave (State Highway 103) north to Stackpole Road north in Ocean Park, WA. A parking lot is available at the northern end of Stackpole Road (approximately 20 mi/31.2 km from Hwy-101). A Discover Pass is required for parking at this location, as the lot is managed by and shared with Washington State Parks.
Visit our "Trails" page for more information on hiking-specific access.