Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge consists of some of the most scenic estuarine habitat along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. On either side of Highway 101, starched skeleton trees jut forth from the estuary and are reminiscent of a time when the salt marsh was diked to provide pasture for dairy cows. Red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and other raptors can often be seen roosting at the top of these snags and a variety of estuarine dependant birds including great blue heron, great egret and many species of waterfowl can be seen foraging in the tidally influenced waters.

Wildlife and Habitats

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect salt marsh, brackish marsh, tidal sloughs, mudflats, and coniferous and deciduous forestland. The refuge provides nursery grounds for coho and chinook salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. The primary ecological goal for the refuge is to allow the salt marsh to return to its natural tidally influenced state.

An 100-acre tidal marsh restoration project was completed on Millport Slough through a partnership between the USFWS, Ducks Unlimited and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians. The restoration involved breaching 220 feet of dike, removing two dikes totaling 9,300 feet and filling 1,200 feet of artificial ditches. Large woody debris was placed in the marsh to improve habitat for anadromous fish..

Visitor Opportunities

Siletz Bay Refuge is closed to public use, except during special events.

During June, July, and August 2008, AmeriCorps volunteer Annie Kilby will be leading a series of ten guided canoe and kayak trips through the refuge. For more information, please visit our News page or call Annie Kilby at 541-867-4550 or e-mail her at anne_kilby@fws.gov.

Directions

Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located just south of Lincoln City along US Highway 101.