Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area covering about 17,000 acres across multiple locations near south Willapa Bay and the Long Beach Peninsula. It contains tidelands, temperate rainforest, ocean beaches, streams, and sections of old growth coastal cedar forest.

This refuge was established in 1937 to protect habitats for migrating birds when many estuaries along the Pacific coast faced serious threats. Its creation was part of a broader effort to save these vulnerable coastal ecosystems from destruction.

This place holds special meaning for people who want to watch and understand the natural world. The seasonal movement of birds shapes how visitors experience the refuge, drawing them back again and again to observe these patterns.

The refuge is divided into separate sections accessible by car, with a headquarters where you can get oriented before exploring. Each area has its own character, so planning which sections to visit helps you make the most of your time.

Some sections contain old cedar trees that are hundreds of years old, showing visitors what the Pacific Northwest landscape looked like long ago. These original forests are uncommon and offer a rare view of what the region was before significant changes.

Location: Pacific County

Inception: 1937

Shares border with: Teal Slough Natural Resources Conservation Area

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/willapa

GPS coordinates: 46.44170,-123.96700

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:11