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.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the 5,010-acre Fern Ridge Wildlife Area primarily as a nesting and wintering sanctuary for waterfowl, shorebirds and other wetland species. The area under management surrounds Fern Ridge Reservoir and offers abundant opportunities for bird watching throughout the year in addition to hiking, canoeing, fishing and hunting opportunities. The Royal Amazon Unit, on the eastern shore, includes stands of oak, grasslands, copses of tall shrubs, and marshland habitat. The trails follow old road beds along levees that are great for running (or even cross country skiing after a rare valley snowfall). There is also a raised viewing platform west of the parking lot that is situated on the edge of a section of open water. In the winter, vast flocks of Canada Geese inhabit the area, providing a constant background soundtrack with their cacophony. Watch for gracefully hovering kites hunting for their next meal, and be sure to look for acorn woodpeckers in the stand of oaks on the eastern edge of this unit. Don't forget to bring your binoculars!

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Permit

Pros

Great birdwatching. Extensive hiking trails. Great views.

Cons

None.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Features

Bird watching
Bird watching
Bird watching
Bird watching

Location

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