Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge - Oregon
Posted by: 
Bandmaster
N 44° 48.111 W 123° 03.810
10T E 494978 N 4960940
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge contains 2,796 acres of flat to gentle rolling land located near the confluence of the Willamette and Santiam rivers. The refuge's fertile farmed fields,hedgerows, forest, and wetlands abound with wildlife.
Waymark Code: WM20HD
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 08/15/2007
Views: 43
This is how to get there: Travel north 10 miles from Albany or south 12 miles from Salem on Interstate 5. Take exit 243, Ankeny Hill Road, and drive west 1/4 mile to an intersection. Turn right at the intersection and proceed 1.5 miles on Ankeny Hill Road to the information kiosk and wildlife viewing area. (#1 Main Coordinate) My favorite route from Salem is to follow Liberty Road all the way to Ankeny Hill Road where you turn left to main coordinates which is the "Ankeny Overlook." (Main coordinates) The reason this is my favorite way to drive is the beautiful rolling countryside which the gentle winding road takes full advantage of.
#1 N 44 48.111 W 123 03.810 Because the time of year for my visit was summer, the wetlands and wildlife were not as visible from this #1 location; but, this is still a good place to get an overview of the area, use the restroom, get information and enjoy the rolling hills and beautiful farmland called "Ankeny Overlook." If you wish, you can get a map from the information kiosk. (Restrooms are available) Ankeny Overlook is open year round.
#2. N 44 46.438 W 123 04.666 "Rail Trail" is your next stop and the full name is: "Rail Trail to Observation Blind." The start of Rail Trail is at a parking area on the south side of Wintel Rd. After a short distance of a flat and gentle winding trail, the boardwalk takes you through an Oregon Ash wetland. (not so wet in the summer) In fact, it dries out in the summer and floods in the winter. At the end of the trail there is an observation blind that looks out onto Wood Duck Pond. See wood ducks, hooded mergansers, Great Blue herons, Canada geese, egrets. Open: April 1st - September 30th
#3 N 44 46.519 W 123 05.071 "Pintail and Egret Marsh Boardwalk" is a short distance further down the road and the boardwalk begins at a parking area on the north side of Wintel Rd. At the end of the boardwalk there is an observation blind that looks out onto Pintail and Egret Marshes. Open: year round
#4 N 44 46.574 W 123 05.361 Don't miss this turnout and beautiful view of Pintail Marsh. Great photo opportunity with trees reflecting in the Marsh water. Open: year round
#5 N 44 47.805 W 123 04.921 Eagle Marsh was my favorite spot to pull out and observe the wildlife. (no hiking required.) Because it is on the south side of Buena Vista Rd, the kiosk looks out onto Eagle Marsh; so, if you have limited time or just want to see as much wildlife as possible without walking a lot, this is the place to come. Eagle Marsh is the biggest marsh on the refuge and provides viewing opportunities of many species. Canada geese, cinnamon teal, and northern pintail are a few of the waterfowl you might see. Shorebirds like to spend time feeding along the edges of the marsh. You might see osprey and bald eagles flying high above looking for food. This is a great place for kids and adults who want to see various native wildlife species. There are great interpretive signs at the kiosk that describe the seasons on the marsh. Open: year round
Enjoy your visit. Best wildlife viewing times are early and late in the day. Your vehicle makes an excellent blind for viewing animals without disturbing them. During the winter, please minimize disturbance to wintering geese by observing them from designated viewing areas and hiking trails.
NWR or Protected Planet Website: [Web Link]
Point of Interest (POI): Visitor Information
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Visit Instructions:
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