Recreation

Opportunities for recreation at McNary include wildlife observation, horseback-riding, hiking, fishing, boating and hunting.

Wildlife Observation

McNary National Wildlife Refuge is a birdwatcher's paradise. More than 200 species of birds frequent the refuge, attracted by a diverse range of habitats, including open water, sloughs, marshes, mudflats, riparian areas, woodlands and irrigated cropland. Large concentrations of migrating waterfowl can be seen from October through February, usually peaking in December. Many songbirds find food and cover along the west end of Burbank Slough and the nature trail and within the riparian forests along the Walla Walla, Snake and Columbia Rivers. Visitors may also see red-tailed, sharp-shinned, and Cooper's hawks, and northern harriers. Peregrine falcons are occasionally seen, particularly in the basalt cliffs in the Wallula Gap Unit. Bald and golden eagles can be seen in the late winter months of January through March.

Visitors can view wildlife at the Environmental Education Center, nature trail and bird blind, and informally from all of the roads and trails open on the refuge. The Wallula Delta, where shorebirds congregate during migration, is extremely popular. The Wallula Unit also attracts people looking for deer, riparian birds, and shorebirds. Bighorn sheep and raptors can be seen at the Stateline/Juniper Canyon Units.

Horses and Hiking

Horseback riding and hiking is permitted on roads and designated trails. There are two four-mile-long trails designated for horseback riding. One is located on the Wallula Unit and follows the Walla Walla River on the north side upstream from Madam Dorian Park. The other horse riding trail is located on the Peninsula Unit and follows the river shoreline. Hiking is permitted on the designated horse trails, but hikers must yield to horses.

Hikers preferring an upland experience are welcome to explore Juniper Canyon off of State Highway 730/395 in Oregon. There is no maintained trail in the Canyon but plenty of opportunity to explore.

Please note that on the McNary Fee Hunt Unit, the public hunt area, is closed to all public entry out of hunting season. During hunting season, entry is allowed only to permitted waterfowl hunters and upland bird hunters on refuge waterfowl hunt days.

Nature Trail

A two-mile self-guided interpretive trail and bird blind for observation and photography is easily accessed from the McNary Environmental Education Center and winds around Burbank Slough. A nature trail brochure is available, and interpretive signs are situated along the trail. Approximately the first 1,800 feet of the nature trail, to and inside the bird blind, is paved and wheelchair accessible. Also on the trail is a canvas teepee, which has replaced the former tule mat teepee. (Tule is a giant species of sedge). The teepee served as a reminder of the Native American Wanapum people, also called the River People, who lived, hunted and fished in this region for thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived.

Fishing

Fishing continues to be one of the most popular activities for visitors at McNary. Quarry Pond is the only location on the refuge where the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks fish. This area is especially popular with youths, families and seniors. The Walla Walla River supports a popular catfish fishery, which is open 24 hours a day for night fishing.

Most of the units on the McNary NWR can be reached from Highways 12 and 395. Fishing is allowed west of these highways. On the Burbank Slough Unit, fishing is only allowed from the west shoulder of Lake Road. East of Lake Road and east of Highway 12 is closed to fishing. We allow fishing on the Wallula, Two Rivers, and Peninsula Units. Visiting hours are from sunrise to sunset. The Strawberry Island Unit is closed to all activities, including hiking, hunting and fishing. The use of boats and other flotation devices is not allowed. Fishing is by hook and line only. In addition to these refuge-specific regulations, all fishermen must obey state and federal regulations.

Boating

Three boat launches are available on the refuge. The boat launches are provided solely for boating associated with fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing/photography and education. Motors are only permitted on those waters which are accessible to the Columbia River. One boat launch is a large concrete ramp at the southern end of the Peninsula Unit, which allows boats to launch into Casey Pond and travel out into the Columbia River. The launch and parking area has capacity for approximately 30 boats with trailers or 55 cars. The boat launch is a main access to the river, but because the waters surrounding it are shallow, there are limits on the size of boats that can use this launch. The second boat launch is located at the Wallula Unit and accesses the Walla Walla River. There is also a small unimproved boat launch on the Two Rivers Unit. It is located south of Quarry Pond and west of the railroad tracks.

Hunting

The McNary National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting opportunities for waterfowl and upland birds. The Burbank Slough Fee Hunt Unit is open Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays, as well as Thanksgiving and New Years Day, during the state waterfowl hunting season. Cost is $10 per hunter, and there is a pre-season lottery to select hunters. Ages 15 and under are free. Hunters are required to check-in at the hunter check station located on East Humorist Road across from the Fee Hunt Unit entrance. Humorist Road can be accessed off of Highway 12. The station is staffed from one-and-a-half hours before legal shooting time until 8:00 am and from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on scheduled hunting days. Upland hunting is permitted free-of charge after 12 noon on hunt days. The Two Rivers and Penninsula Units are open to waterfowl and upland hunting seven days a week on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Wallula Unit is also open to waterfowl and upland hunting seven days a week, first-come, first-serve during the state hunting season.

Burbank Slough 2009-2010 Regulations (PDF)

Two Rivers and Peninsula 2009-2010 Regulations (PDF)

Wallula 2009-2010 Regulations (PDF)

See our Frequently Asked Questions page regarding hunting at McNary NWR.

Camping, dogs off leash, paint-balling, off-road driving, and fires are not permitted on the refuge.