Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge at Coquille River estuary, Oregon, US.
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is a nature preserve at the Coquille River estuary in Oregon, consisting of two units that cover roughly 890 acres combined. The landscape contains mudflats, salt marshes, and forested wetlands that stretch toward the Pacific Ocean, displaying different habitats side by side.
The refuge was established in 1983 to protect the largest remaining tidal salt marsh within the Coquille estuary. The site also contains ancient settlements and archaeological remains that extend back before European contact.
The refuge preserves archaeological sites of the Coquille Indian Tribe and provides observation platforms where visitors can experience how migratory birds and local wildlife use the landscape. The trails through the marsh connect different habitats and show how people and nature have shared this space over time.
You can reach the Bandon Marsh Unit by driving north on Riverside Drive from downtown, where marked parking areas and viewing spots await you. The best times to visit are spring and fall when large flocks of shorebirds pass through while stopping to rest.
The mudflats are rich in nutrients and home to clams, crabs, worms, and shrimp that form the food chain for passing birds. During migration seasons, visitors can watch tens of thousands of shorebirds stop briefly to refuel before continuing their journey.
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