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National Wildlife Refuges in Oregon

20 national wildlife refuges in Oregon with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Tillamook County has the most (3). The darkest skies are at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (Bortle 1).

Top national wildlife refuges

Malheur National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Malheur National Wildlife RefugeHarney County
Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife RefugeTillamook County
Klamath Marsh National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Klamath Marsh National Wildlife RefugeKlamath County
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife RefugeClatsop County
Umatilla National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Umatilla National Wildlife RefugeMorrow County
McKay Creek National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
McKay Creek National Wildlife RefugeUmatilla County
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife RefugeTillamook County
Tualatin River National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Tualatin River National Wildlife RefugeWashington County
Upper Klamath National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Upper Klamath National Wildlife RefugeKlamath County
William L. Finley National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
William L. Finley National Wildlife RefugeBenton County
Hart Mountain National Antelope RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Hart Mountain National Antelope RefugeLake County
Siletz Bay National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Siletz Bay National Wildlife RefugeLincoln County

National Wildlife Refuges by county

All national wildlife refuges (20)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
Malheur National Wildlife RefugeHarney County—Hines1
Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife RefugeTillamook County—Bay City3
Klamath Marsh National Wildlife RefugeKlamath County—Klamath Falls1
Lewis and Clark National Wildlife RefugeClatsop County—Astoria3
Umatilla National Wildlife RefugeMorrow County—Irrigon3
McKay Creek National Wildlife RefugeUmatilla County—Pendleton4
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife RefugeTillamook County—Pacific City3
Tualatin River National Wildlife RefugeWashington County—King City7
Upper Klamath National Wildlife RefugeKlamath County—Klamath Falls2
William L. Finley National Wildlife RefugeBenton County—Philomath4
Hart Mountain National Antelope RefugeLake County—Altamont1
Siletz Bay National Wildlife RefugeLincoln County—Lincoln City4
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife RefugeCoos County—Bandon4
Bear Valley National Wildlife RefugeKlamath County—Klamath Falls2
Cape Meares National Wildlife RefugeTillamook County—Bay City3
Cold Springs National Wildlife RefugeUmatilla County—Stanfield4
Baskett Slough National Wildlife RefugePolk County—Dallas5
Oregon Islands National Wildlife RefugeLane County—Florence2
Ankeny National Wildlife RefugeMarion County—Jefferson5
Wapato Lake National Wildlife RefugeWashington County—Yamhill5

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph national wildlife refuges

Wildlife is most active in the first and last two hours of daylight — exactly when the light is warmest.

  • Use auto-loop roads as mobile blinds; animals often tolerate vehicles more than people on foot.
  • Stay on designated routes and keep a respectful distance — if an animal changes behavior, you are too close.
  • A 400–600 mm lens (or a crop body) is the usual tool for birds.
  • Fast shutter speeds (1/2000 s+) freeze wingbeats; raise ISO rather than lose the shot.
  • Migration peaks bring the largest concentrations — see the birding calendar for this state.

Season: Spring and autumn migration are the highlights; winter brings waterfowl to many southern refuges.