McKay Creek
IRRIGON, WA 97844
Plan Your Visit
McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge is located off of Highway 395, five miles south of Pendleton, Oregon, and 7 miles south of I-84. Refuge hours are from sunrise to sunset, except for hunting—hunting access is 1-1/2 hours before legal hunting hours to 1-1/2 hours after legal hunting hours. Access difficulty varies by area. Contact the Mid-Columbia River NWR Complex Office for suggestions using the area safely (509-546-8300).
When planning your visit, please keep in mind that the refuge is closed to all public entry during the winter season—the end of the state waterfowl season (usually the end of January) through the last day of February. This is to ensure protection of, and minimize the disturbance to, wintering waterfowl and bald eagles.
Most areas of the refuge are semi-primitive with no restroom or drinking water facilities. Refuge visitors should plan their trips accordingly.
Activities
Get Involved
From its start in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has owed its very existence to concerned citizens eager to protect America's natural resources. Become a volunteer or Refuge Friend to contribute your strength on behalf of America’s natural resources.
Working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
About
Established by President Calvin Coolidge on June 7, 1927, McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge serves as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds. The 1,837-acre refuge overlays the McKay Creek Reservoir, a storage facility serving the irrigation needs of the Umatilla River Basin. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge consists of approximately 1,300 acres of water and 537 acres of upland at full pool. It is a popular destination for fishing, hunting, and wildlife observation for residents of nearby Pendleton, Oregon.