Established in 1991 with a donation of 46 acres of tidal salt marsh, Siletz
Bay National Wildlife Refuge was created to protect and enhance estuarine fish
and wildlife resources and their habitats. Now encompassing 578 acres, Siletz
Bay NWR features salt marsh, brackish marsh, tidal sloughs, mudflats, and
coniferous and deciduous forestland.

The Refuge protects high quality coastal wetlands and uplands next to Siletz
Bay from encroaching development and enhances habitat for a variety of birds
and mammals. The river, bay and estuary habitats at Siletz Bay NWR supports
large runs of anadromous fish including Chinook and Coho salmon, Cutthroat
Trout, and Steelhead Trout. Juvenile salmonids benefit from several tidal
marsh restoration projects on the Refuge.

<p>Established in 1991 with a donation of 46 acres of tidal salt marsh, Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge was created to protect and enhance estuarine fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. Now encompassing 578 acres, Siletz Bay NWR features salt marsh, brackish marsh, tidal sloughs, mudflats, and coniferous and deciduous forestland.</p><p>The Refuge protects high quality coastal wetlands and uplands next to Siletz Bay from encroaching development and enhances habitat for a variety of birds and mammals. The river, bay and estuary habitats at Siletz Bay NWR supports large runs of anadromous fish including Chinook and Coho salmon, Cutthroat Trout, and Steelhead Trout. Juvenile salmonids benefit from several tidal marsh restoration projects on the Refuge.</p>

Bird's eye view of the park

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Some of the largest Douglas firs and Western Hemlocks in the Oregon Coast
Range can be found in the Bureau of Land Management’s Valley of the Giants.
Many of these trees are twenty feet in circumference, 200 feet tall, and 400
to 450 years old. Though a windstorm blew it down in 1981, the largest reached
a circumference of thirty-five feet and was approximately 600 years old.
Believed to be the second-largest Douglas fir in Oregon, the tree was called
“Big Guy”.  
  
In the 1970s, public concern grew over the increasing rarity of exceptionally
large trees. In 1976, the BLM protected the 51-acres known as the Valley of
the Giants by designating it an Outstanding Natural Area and an Area of
Critical Environmental Concern. To this day, it is still used heavily by
researchers and educators. In 2016, the BLM expanded the ACEC to over 1,600
acres in acknowledgment of the entire valley's ecological importance.  
  
The Valley of the Giants contains all the features of an old-growth
forest—large standing and fallen trees, logs and stumps, understory plants,
fungi, and mosses. This spectacular topography can be seen right alongside the
trail.  
  
The forest preserve is located approximately 30 miles west of Falls City by
way of logging roads not suitable for passenger cars. **D****uring fire
season, public access is closed by a private gate near the beginning of the
route.**

## Know Before You Go:

  * **Visitors should call the BLM’s Northwest Oregon District Office for directions and road closure information.**
  * From the trailhead to the Siletz River, the Valley of the Giants Trail is fairly steep and can be slippery when wet. The bridge across the north fork of the river, and the several steps leading up to it, can also be treacherous when wet or icy. The trail is approximately 1.3 miles long, and many of the huge trees surrounding it are on their last roots. Hikers should watch out for falling limbs and trees and avoid the area during high winds. Visitors are warned to hike these trails at their own risk.
  * Private lands surround many Valley of the Giants access points and can only be crossed with permission from the landowner. Roads with closed gates are closed to the public. Please do not trespass on private land.
  * Although the Valley of the Giants is only fourteen air miles from Falls City, rough narrow, and winding roads make it a slow, 30-mile trip. Visitors should allow at least 90 minutes of travel in each direction. Visitors are encouraged to contact the Northwest Oregon District before heading out to the site.
  * Please report any vandalism, trash dumping, or other crimes or accidents to the BLM’s Northwest Oregon District Office or the BLM’s law enforcement reporting number (800) 637-9152. This number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

## Point of Interest:

The Valley of the Giants is often used for research and education on old-
growth forests. It is therefore important to stay on the trail to avoid
impacting the soil, small animals, and plants. The picnic table area is the
only point at which visitors are permitted to leave the designated trails.

<p>Some of the largest Douglas firs and Western Hemlocks in the Oregon Coast Range can be found in the Bureau of Land Management’s Valley of the Giants. Many of these trees are twenty feet in circumference, 200 feet tall, and 400 to 450 years old. Though a windstorm blew it down in 1981, the largest reached a circumference of thirty-five feet and was approximately 600 years old. Believed to be the second-largest Douglas fir in Oregon, the tree was called “Big Guy”.<br/>
<br/>
In the 1970s, public concern grew over the increasing rarity of exceptionally large trees. In 1976, the BLM protected the 51-acres known as the Valley of the Giants by designating it an Outstanding Natural Area and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. To this day, it is still used heavily by researchers and educators. In 2016, the BLM expanded the ACEC to over 1,600 acres in acknowledgment of the entire valley's ecological importance.<br/>
<br/>
The Valley of the Giants contains all the features of an old-growth forest—large standing and fallen trees, logs and stumps, understory plants, fungi, and mosses. This spectacular topography can be seen right alongside the trail.<br/>
<br/>
The forest preserve is located approximately 30 miles west of Falls City by way of logging roads not suitable for passenger cars. <strong>D</strong><b>uring fire season, public access is closed by a private gate near the beginning of the route.</b></p>

<h2>Know Before You Go:</h2>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Visitors should call the BLM’s Northwest Oregon District Office for directions and road closure information.</strong></li>
	<li>From the trailhead to the Siletz River, the Valley of the Giants Trail is fairly steep and can be slippery when wet. The bridge across the north fork of the river, and the several steps leading up to it, can also be treacherous when wet or icy. The trail is approximately 1.3 miles long, and many of the huge trees surrounding it are on their last roots. Hikers should watch out for falling limbs and trees and avoid the area during high winds. Visitors are warned to hike these trails at their own risk.</li>
	<li>Private lands surround many Valley of the Giants access points and can only be crossed with permission from the landowner. Roads with closed gates are closed to the public. Please do not trespass on private land.</li>
	<li>Although the Valley of the Giants is only fourteen air miles from Falls City, rough narrow, and winding roads make it a slow, 30-mile trip. Visitors should allow at least 90 minutes of travel in each direction. Visitors are encouraged to contact the Northwest Oregon District before heading out to the site.</li>
	<li>Please report any vandalism, trash dumping, or other crimes or accidents to the BLM’s <a href="https://www.blm.gov/office/northwest-oregon-district-office" rel="nofollow">Northwest Oregon District Office </a>or the BLM’s law enforcement reporting number (800) 637-9152. This number is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Point of Interest:</h2>

<p>The Valley of the Giants is often used for research and education on old-growth forests. It is therefore important to stay on the trail to avoid impacting the soil, small animals, and plants. The picnic table area is the only point at which visitors are permitted to leave the designated trails.<br/>
 </p>

Tall trees on display in the Valley of the Giants.

A child hugs a tree in the Valley of the Giants.

View of massive trees in a forested setting.

Valley of the Giants Outstanding Natural Area

## Overview:

The lighthouse is undergoing restoration projects, and tours are not available
for reservation at this time. When weather conditions and staffing levels
permit, tours are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please phone
541-574-3100 for the current schedule and more information. Yaquina Head is a
narrow, coastal headland extending one mile into the Pacific Ocean. Formed by
ancient lava flows, Yaquina Head’s hard basalt cliffs and coves have been
shaped by pounding ocean surf for 14 million years. Abundant wildlife such as
whales, harbor seals and seabirds can be viewed from the many breath taking
vantage points around the 100-acre site. Explore tidepools, listen to nature's
music and see Oregon's tallest lighthouse - all at Yaquina Head.

## Know Before You Go:

  * Open Hours: Yaquina Head is open year round with times varying based on the season.
  * Fees are $7 for cars, $25 for buses (20 or less passengers), and $50 for buses (21+ passengers). "National Park and Federal Recreation Lands" and "Oregon Pacific Coast" passes are accepted and available.
  * The Interpretive Center is open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 
  * Whale watching: Resident Gray whales can be seen year round, and main migrations are during the months of December, January, March and April. 

## Lighthouse Tours:

The lighthouse is open for limited (16 visitors per tour) ranger-led tours.
Day of tour passes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and must
be reserved in person at the interpretive center no earlier than 10 a.m. on
the day of the tour.

  * July through September 14: Tours take place every day. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance – for a limited number of tours. To make an advance reservation phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov. Please be aware that a small administrative fee will be required to hold each ticket reservation.
  * Mid-September – June: When weather conditions and staffing levels permit, tours will be offered. Please phone 541-574-3100 for the current schedule.

## Point of Interest:

Peregrine falcons and thousands of seabirds raise young at Yaquina Head.
Chicks are often visible from late spring through mid-summer. Whales may be
seen year-round. Bring binoculars for best viewing.  
  
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area brochure  
  
For More Information Click Here

<h2>Overview:</h2>The lighthouse is undergoing restoration projects, and tours are not available for reservation at this time.  When weather conditions and staffing levels permit, tours are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Please phone 541-574-3100 for the current schedule and more information. Yaquina Head is a narrow, coastal headland extending one mile into the Pacific Ocean. Formed by ancient lava flows, Yaquina Head’s hard basalt cliffs and coves have been shaped by pounding ocean surf for 14 million years. Abundant wildlife such as whales, harbor seals and seabirds can be viewed from the many breath taking vantage points around the 100-acre site. Explore tidepools, listen to nature's music and see Oregon's tallest lighthouse - all at Yaquina Head. <h2>Know Before You Go:</h2><ul><li>Open Hours: Yaquina Head is open year round with times varying based on the season.</li>
<li>Fees are $7 for cars, $25 for buses (20 or less passengers), and $50 for buses (21+ passengers). "National Park and Federal Recreation Lands" and "Oregon Pacific Coast" passes are accepted and available.</li>
<li>The Interpretive Center is open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. </li>
<li>Whale watching: Resident Gray whales can be seen year round, and main migrations are during the months of December, January, March and April. </li></ul><h2>Lighthouse Tours:</h2>  The lighthouse is open for limited (16 visitors per tour) ranger-led tours. Day of tour passes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be reserved in person at the interpretive center no earlier than 10 a.m. on the day of the tour.
<ul><li>July through September 14: Tours take place every day. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance – for a limited number of tours. To make an advance reservation phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/tourParkDetail.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=74086" rel="nofollow">www.recreation.gov</a>. Please be aware that a small administrative fee will be required to hold each ticket reservation.</li>
<li>Mid-September – June: When weather conditions and staffing levels permit, tours will be offered. Please phone 541-574-3100 for the current schedule.</li></ul>
<h2>Point of Interest:</h2>Peregrine falcons and thousands of seabirds raise young at Yaquina Head. Chicks are often visible from late spring through mid-summer. Whales may be seen year-round. Bring binoculars for best viewing. <br><br><a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/nwo_yaquinaheadona_brochure.pdf" rel="nofollow">Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area brochure</a> <br><br><a href="https://www.blm.gov/learn/interpretive-centers/yaquina" rel="nofollow"> For More Information Click Here</a>

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

At 1,202 acres, Nestucca Bay Refuge is the largest of the six Oregon Coastal
Refuges. Located where the Nestucca and Little Nestucca Rivers converge and
debouch into the Pacific, the Refuge is managed to provide wintering habitat
for six subspecies of white-cheeked geese, including Aleutian Cackling and
Dusky Canada Geese. The Refuge also hosts several species of dabbling ducks,
shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, anadromous fish, sylvan and estuarine mammals,
and a population of the threatened Oregon Silverspot Butterfly on its seven
distinct habitat types. It's a great place to hike in the morning and have a
picnic lunch at noon.

<p>At 1,202 acres, Nestucca Bay Refuge is the largest of the six Oregon Coastal Refuges. Located where the Nestucca and Little Nestucca Rivers converge and debouch into the Pacific, the Refuge is managed to provide wintering habitat for six subspecies of white-cheeked geese, including Aleutian Cackling and Dusky Canada Geese.  The Refuge also hosts several species of dabbling ducks, shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, anadromous fish, sylvan and estuarine mammals, and a population of the threatened Oregon Silverspot Butterfly on its seven distinct habitat types. It's a great place to hike in the morning and have a picnic lunch at noon. </p>

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge

From nearly every viewpoint on the Oregon coast, colossal rocks can be seen
jutting out of the Pacific Ocean, stark monoliths amidst a pounding surf.
Established on May 6, 1935, as a sanctuary and breeding ground for seabirds
and marine mammals, the scenic and rugged Oregon Islands NWR includes 1,853
rocks, reefs, and islands and stretches from Tillamook Head near Seaside south
to the California border. All of the rocks and islands of the Refuge are
designated National Wilderness Areas, with the exception of 1-acre Tillamook
Rock. Most of Oregon’s estimated 1.2 million nesting seabirds use Oregon
Islands Refuge as a place to raise their young, and Oregon’s seals and sea
lions use the islands as a place to haul out and rest or to give birth to
their pups.

Oregon Islands Wilderness area was designated by congress by Public Law 91-504
on October 23, 1970. Additional lands were added to the Oregon Islands
Wilderness in 1978 and 1996. All of the off shore portions of the Oregon
Islands NWR are designated as wilderness, comprising a total of 593.1 acres.
The Wilderness Act of 1964 created the National Wilderness Preservation System
"in order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding
settlement and growing mechanization, does not occupy and modify all areas in
the United States, and its possession, leaving no lands designated for
preservation and protection in their natural condition..." The Oregon Islands
Wilderness protects millions of seabirds from human disturbance and
development that could harm this crucial nesting habitat.

For more information about Oregon Islands Wilderness, visit Wilderness.net.

<p>From nearly every viewpoint on the Oregon coast, colossal rocks can be seen jutting out of the Pacific Ocean, stark monoliths amidst a pounding surf. Established on May 6, 1935, as a sanctuary and breeding ground for seabirds and marine mammals, the scenic and rugged Oregon Islands NWR includes 1,853 rocks, reefs, and islands and stretches from Tillamook Head near Seaside south to the California border. All of the rocks and islands of the Refuge are designated National Wilderness Areas, with the exception of 1-acre Tillamook Rock. Most of Oregon’s estimated 1.2 million nesting seabirds use Oregon Islands Refuge as a place to raise their young, and Oregon’s seals and sea lions use the islands as a place to haul out and rest or to give birth to their pups.</p><p>Oregon Islands Wilderness area was designated by congress by Public Law 91-504 on October 23, 1970. Additional lands were added to the Oregon Islands Wilderness in 1978 and 1996. All of the off shore portions of the Oregon Islands NWR are designated as wilderness, comprising a total of 593.1 acres. The Wilderness Act of 1964 created the National Wilderness Preservation System "in order to assure that an increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization, does not occupy and modify all areas in the United States, and its possession, leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition..." The Oregon Islands Wilderness protects millions of seabirds from human disturbance and development that could harm this crucial nesting habitat. </p><p><a href="https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=430" rel="nofollow">For more information about Oregon Islands Wilderness, visit Wilderness.net.</a></p>

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Valley of the Giants Outstanding Natural Area

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge