McNary
Burbank, WA 99323
Plan Your Visit
A visit to McNary National Wildlife Refuge is always worth the time—especially when it’s only minutes from the Tri-Cities of Washington (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland).
Hours
Public use areas of the refuge are open daily during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset), except as modified by fishing and hunting regulations. The headquarters are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday.
Accessibility
The new McNary Environmental Education Center is fully accessible (barrier-free). The Quail trail is a 2.5 mile (round trip) interpretive trail that is hard-surfaced and accessible to wheelchairs, as is the birdwatching blind it allows access to. The refuge provides three barrier-free hunting blinds and two accessible fishing piers.
Access and Roads
Entrance to the refuge is only permitted from designated public entrance areas. Parking is allowed in designated parking areas only. There are about 20 miles of roads maintained for public use on the refuge, 17 miles of which are unpaved. Access is also permitted by boat along approximately 14 miles of shoreline, though all islands are closed to public access.
The Burbank Slough Fee Hunt Unit requires a charge and a pre-season lottery for waterfowl hunting. Upland hunting is permitted free-of-charge after 12 noon on hunt days.
Activities
Get Involved
Consider becoming a volunteer for station programs, teaching environmental education, rehabilitating habitats, or conducting surveys. Help is needed at several locations within the Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. You can also join the Friends of Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuges to support outdoor classrooms.
About
McNary National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1956 to replace wildlife habitat lost due to the construction of the McNary Dam. Spanning 15,000 acres along the Columbia River, the refuge provides vital riparian and wetland habitats for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. It supports high concentrations of mallards in the Pacific Flyway and offers various low-density recreational activities such as hiking, hunting, and bird watching.