Hike-in Required
No
Guided tours
No
ADA accessible
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Fern Ridge Wildlife Area consists of 5,010 acres of woodlands, creeks, grasslands, marshes and planted croplands. The area is maintained by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife with the goal of attracting and maintaining large populations of waterfowl, providing habitat for native plant species, and managing for a high level of species diversity. The ODFW tries to provide wildlife oriented recreation (hunting and wildlife watching) while following principles of wildlife conservation and education.

The Applegate Unit envelops the Long Tom River as it empties into Fern Ridge Reservoir along its western shore. The habitat is primarily dense deciduous forest with some grassy marsh areas at the unit's northern edge. The southern parking lot, halfway between Elmira and Veneta, has a canoe access point that allows paddlers to wind their way down numerous braided channels to the lake in the spring and summer. The reservoir is emptied in the fall and winter, and the river becomes very shallow and is blocked in places by logs. There is also a short trail that follows the river and provides opportunities for spotting herons, ospreys, wood ducks, turkeys and thrushes. There are some muddy beaches that would make pleasantly sedate swimming spots during hot weather.

The parking lot on the north side of Elmira provides opportunities to explore open swales and cattail marshes that are frequented by great blue herons and red-winged blackbirds. Keep an eye out for snipes here in the winter.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Permit

Pros

Beautiful, small river. Nice mixed forest. Birds. Great canoeing.

Cons

Short trail. Road noise.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Features

Wildlife
Bird watching
Bird watching
Bird watching
Bird watching

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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