Plan Your Visit
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge consists of several units in southwest Washington state around south Willapa Bay and at the tip of Long Beach Peninsula. The Porter Point and Riekkola units are at the southern end of Willapa Bay. Leadbetter Point is at the very northern end of the Long Beach Peninsula, and Long Island is in Willapa Bay.
The Refuge Headquarters is located near milemarker 24 on Washington State Highway 101.
From Portland, Oregon, three different routes will lead to the Refuge:
-Highway 26 West to Highway 101 North
-Interstate 5 North to Washington State Route 4 West to Highway 101 South
-Highway 30 West to Highway 101 North
Refuge Headquarters: From Seaview, Washington, take Highway 101 north. Ignore the large brown sign saying "Willapa National Wildlife Refuge" with an arrow pointing north up Sandridge Road (this would take you to the Riekkola and Leadbetter Units). Refuge Headquarters is located approximately 10 miles from Seaview, near milemarker 24. A boat ramp on the left side of the highway offers the best departure point for Long Island.
Tarlatt Slough Unit: From Highway 101 departing Seaview, Washington, turn north on Sandridge Road. Continue up Sandrige Road until 95th Street. Turn right at 95th Street. The Tarlatt Unit is located to the south of 95th Street. Conitnue down 95th Street until a Y in the road. Turn right at the Y. This will take you to the Tarlatt Unit gate.
Reikkola Unit: From Highway 101, turn north onto Sandridge Road just east of Seaview, Washington. At 67th Place, turn right (east). 67th Place becomes Yeaton Road, which will dead-end into the refuge.
Leadbetter Unit: From Highway 101, turn north on Sandridge Road. Near Oysterville, jog west and continue north on Stackpole Road until the road terminates at a parking lot on the edge of Refuge area. It is approximately 20 miles from Highway 101 to the Leadbetter parking area. The parking lot joins the Leadbetter Unit of the Refuge and Leadbetter State Park.
Long Island
Long Island is the Pacific Coast's largest estuarine island.The island is 5,640 acres and includes a rare 274-acre remnant of old growth lowland coastal forest.
Many of the red cedar trees in this grove are over 900 years old! The rain-drenched forests on the island grow rapidly and densely with salal, huckleberry, western hemlock, and Sitka spruce. Hundreds of species of mushrooms and other fungus are also found. NOTE: The harvesting of mushrooms is prohibited.
The rich forests provide homes to mammals such as black bear, Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, beaver, and river otter. Standing dead trees provide important nesting cavities for species such as pileated woodpeckers and flying squirrels while fallen trees are home to the rare Van Dyke's and Dunn's salamanders. The shaggy bark of the oldest trees provides homes for silver-haired bats and Pacific tree frogs.
The nutrient-rich marine environment surrounding Long Island supports oysters, clams, crabs, salmon, steelhead, and numerous other marine organisms.
REMINDER: No dogs are permitted at any unit of the refuge, including trails and parking lots. For the protection of wildlife and the enjoyment of other visitors, please leave your pets at home. During waterfowl hunting season, dogs may be used to retrieve downed birds while hunting waterfowl to prevent waste.
