Visit Us
Spread across the Yakima Valley, Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge offers a broad collection of habitats, and thus species. Natural and managed wetlands, mixed with shrub-steppe and streams, provide homes for just about every species found in the Columbia Basin. The wildlife, in turn, attracts visitors, mainly hunters and bird watchers. The refuge is well-known for its waterfowl hunting opportunities, and those same waterfowl, along with scores of species of waterbirds, shorebirds and passerines, draw in serious "birders."
The refuge consists of 1,978 acres spread over a distance of 27 miles in the agriculturally intensive Yakima Valley. The main part of the refuge (Robbins and Pumphouse Units) is at the center, with the remaining smaller parcels spread around the valley. Eight of the outlying units lie upstream of the main refuge area, and four are located downstream. The entire refuge is situated within the floodplain of Toppenish Creek, a year-round tributary of the Yakima River.
Toppenish is a refuge of water, so plan your visit accordingly. Even in summer, plan on getting your feet wet.
The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, except for hunting, which has special hours from 1-1/2 hours before legal hunting time to 1-1/2 hours after. The Toppenish Refuge Headquarters is periodically staffed in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
The main refuge entrance is located six miles south of Toppenish on U.S. Highway 97, then one mile west from the refuge sign. Parking is allowed in designated parking areas only.
Opportunities for recreation at Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge include wildlife observation, hiking and hunting. Wildlife observation and hiking are allowed year-round in the southeast portion of the main refuge from Highway 97 to the Refuge Headquarters. Sport hunting is permitted on the refuge in accordance with state and federal regulations. Hunters should consult the Washington State hunting regulations. Special refuge regulations also apply (see the Rules & Regulations page). Fishing, camping, boating and driving off-road are prohibited on the refuge.
Most areas of the refuge are very remote with no restroom or drinking water facilities; refuge visitors should plan their trips accordingly. Access difficulty varies by area.
For local lodging information, please contact the Toppenish Chamber of Commerce at 509-865-3262.
Activities
Visitor activities on Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge are limited—in number, not in quality. Toppenish doesn't provide a lot of activities, but what it does provide, it does it right.
Other Facilities in the Complex
The Central Washington National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of three national wildlife refuges—Columbia, Conboy Lake, Toppenish—and the Hanford Reach National Monument. To learn more about the Complex, Please visit: Central Washington National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Rules and Policies
Unmanned Aircraft & Drones
- The use of unmanned aircraft or drones on the refuge is prohibited.
Night Time Use
- There is no camping, overnight parking, or any other night time use allowed, with the exception of early/late access for hunting.
Fishing
- There is no fishing allowed on Toppenish.
Trapping
- No trapping of any kind is allowed on Toppenish NWR.
Access
- The refuge is open for day use only for all activities, except hunting, sunrise to sunset; no overnight parking or camping is allowed.
- Hunters are allowed access from 1-1/2 hours before legal hunting time to 1-1/2 hours after legal hunting time.
Parking
- Parking is allowed in designated parking areas only.
Other Prohibited Activities
- Other prohibitions on the refuge are dogs off-leash; off-road vehicles; and collecting of plants, animals, minerals, antlers, and artifacts.
Hunting
- Waterfowl (duck, goose and coot), snipe and upland gamebird hunting are permitted on the refuge during the regular Washington State hunting seasons in public hunting areas designated on the refuge map.
- All other species are protected, e.g., coyotes, cougars, crows, deer, squirrels, turkeys, and rabbits.
- For the current regulations related to hunting on Toppenish NWR, please visit www.fws.gov/mcriver/regulations/.
Firearms
- Firearms and other weapons are subject to state law. At all times, persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on the refuge must comply with all provisions of state law.
- Firearms may only be discharged in accordance with refuge hunting regulations, i.e., only during the lawful pursuit of game during legal seasons.
- Only shotguns are permitted for hunting and only with non-toxic shot.