Little Pend Oreille
Colville, WA 99114-9713
Plan Your Visit
National Wildlife Refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge offers ample natural areas to experience, from scattered meadows and old fields, to lakes and rivers that dot our landscape. We are also the only mountainous, mixed conifer forest refuge in the lower 48 states, and provide opportunities to see unique mountainous wildlife species.
Restrooms
- Inside Refuge headquarters/Visitor contact station
- Comfort station in headquarters parking lot, Horse Camp, River Camp, Bear Creek Camp, Potter's Pond, Bayley Lake and McDowell Lake Overlook
What To Do
If you have 15-minutes
- If you only have 15-minutes, visit the visitor kiosk next to refuge headquarters and hike the short trail to view the nearby Little Pend Oreille River and the more distant Calispell Peak.
If you have one or two hours
- In one hour, you can drive the auto tour and learn about the habitats, wildlife, and history of the refuge.
If you have half a day or more
- Several hiking trails are available, and you’re welcome to walk or bicycle any of the roads closed to motorized vehicles. The various habitats provides opportunities to view a wide variety of birds. Fish one of the refuge’s three lakes or the Little Pend Oreille River (be sure to check the regulations!). You can even spend a night or two in one of the refuge’s campgrounds. In the winter, cross-country ski or snowshoe on the closed roads.
Visitor Tips
Refuge lakes and marshes provide a spring and fall stopover point for migratory waterfowl. Wildlife viewing requires patience and quiet. Best viewing is typically dawn and dusk. Areas around lakes, ponds and creeks are also good spots to observe wildlife. Our 11 mile long Auto Tour starts at Refuge headquarters and features twelve interpretive stops.
Entrance to the refuge is free. This Refuge is managed by the Federal Government and a Washington Discover Pass is NOT required for access.
Activities
More Activities
Featured Species
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love.
Services
Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge has numerous programs to effectively manage wildlife and habitat native to this ecosystem and to provide visitor services compatible to our refuge's mission and goals. Wildlife Management-related programs include fire management, forest restoration, water and wetland management, private lands conservation, invasive species control, inventory and monitoring, and wildlife population management.
About
Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge is a 42,657-acre refuge in northeastern Washington, established in 1939 to protect migratory birds and other wildlife. It is the only mountainous, mixed-conifer forest refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System, with elevations ranging from 1,800 to 5,600 feet. The refuge features diverse habitats including six different forest zones, scattered lakes, marshes, and over 80 miles of streams within the Columbia River Basin Ecosystem.
What to See
Let our staff and volunteers at the visitor center help you plan your visit! This is a great place to start. We are happy to orient you to the refuge and the wildlife that lives here.
Begin your visit at the entrance kiosk adjacent to refuge headquarters. There you can touch a 3-dimensional map the refuge, and read about some of the history and wildlife that makes this refuge unique. Brochures are available describing refuge activities and rules, and include a foldout map to help you navigate during your visit. Some points of interest include the Sampson log barn, the oldest structure remaining from the homestead period, Potter’s Pond for a chance to view waterfowl, and interpretive exhibits along the McDowell Marsh Environmental Education Trail and the auto tour.