At Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, we offer a limited youth waterfowl hunt as a part of the Oregon statewide youth hunt offered over one weekend each September. This year's youth waterfowl hunt will take place Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th.
In order to hunt the Refuge, you must be awarded a Refuge youth waterfowl hunt permit in addition to all current State and Federal hunting requirements for your age. To obtain a Refuge youth waterfowl hunt permit, fill out an application and submit it by September 1, 2025.
Since 2023, Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge opens 1059 acres of wetland and adjacent cropland to allow free roam hunting of Canada geese within the State September Canada goose season. This year's goose hunt will occur from September 6th through September 20th. Hunting is permitted in accordance with all applicable State () and specific Refuge regulations (/refuge/baskett_slough/).
Visit Us
Located at the junction of State Highways 99W and 22, the refuge offers convenient access to miles of dirt trails as well as handicap and stroller accessible viewing platforms for its human visitors. The refuge kiosk just off Highway 22 provides an interpretive and informative experience for visitors, so make sure to stop at the pull-off to learn more about the refuge habitats and how they are maintained for wildlife. The HWY 22 kiosk and Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail are open year-round, but all other trails are closed from October 1 through March 31 to provide sanctuary for wintering dusky Canada geese and other waterfowl.
Refuge Access
The refuge is open from dawn to dusk. The refuge is located at the junction of State Highways 99W and 22 and can be accessed via Coville and Smithfield Roads off of Highway 99W. Refuge trailheads, viewing pull offs and parking areas can be found off of each. Parking is allowed in designated parking areas only. No overnight parking is allowed on the refuge.
What to Do
Start at our Observation Platform off Highway 22 and to view interpretive panels detailing Refuge management practices, native habitats and wildlife, and historic aspects of the land. And don't forget to pick up our complex brochure and trail maps at kiosks throughout the Refuge so you can learn more about the refuge complex.
Activities
Things to Do
If you have 15 minutes....
- Stop by the Highway 22 Wildlife Viewing Kiosk for some information and grab an English or Spanish trails brochure. Read through the interpretive kiosk signs and learn about the different wildlife and habitats on the Refuge.
If you have one hour....
- Go on a hike or go birding! Baskett Slough has several miles of trails and is one of the most popular locations for birders to see migratory birds, especially in the Spring and Winter.
If you have half a day or more....
- Drive through the different native habitats on the Refuge and explore the additional trails. You can explore the Refuge from Coville Road, Smithfield Road, and Highway 22, see the map to plan your adventure!
Know Before You Go
Prepare for your visit by packing supplies in a bag. The following suggested items will keep you comfortable and safe when you’re outside:
- Jacket
- Full water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Closed-toe shoes
- Cell phone
You might also want:
- Backpack
- Bug spray
- Personal medications
- Binoculars
- Portable first aid kit
- Sunglasses
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge provides a plethora of different public use activities. From hiking to nature photography, there is plenty to do, and just off Highway 22 too!
Wildlife Viewing
If you enjoy getting outdoors and looking for wildlife, consider a visit to your nearest national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service� for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge ! At Baskett Slough wildlife viewing opportunities range from the stately great blue heron, to chittering western gray squirrels and kreck-ek-ing pacific chorus frogs.
Interpretation
For interpretive experiences at Baskett Slough NWR, check out the Highway 22 Wildlife Viewing Kiosk or the Rich Guadagno Observation Trail Kiosk.
Recreational Opportunities
With the passage of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act in 1997, six wildlife-dependent recreational activities are often managed on refuges as long as they are determined to be compatible, legitimate and appropriate public uses of the refuge. Hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation are often referred to as the "big six". Baskett Slough offers five of the big six, including environmental education and interpretation programs, great wildlife viewing, photography opportunities, and limited annual hunts for waterfowl.
Trails
Baskett Slough NWR has both year-round and seasonal trails. Seasonal trails are specified in their description and are open from April 1st - September 30
Download Our Trails Brochure: Trail Descriptions Baskett Slough NWR
Here is a refuge map to help you find trailheads and other viewing spots! Baskett Slough NWR Map
Visit our homepage to view any current alerts, including trail closures.
Please note, dogs are not allowed on any refuge trails.
Trails, Viewpoints & Boardwalks
Trail | Image and/or Video | Description | Additional Information |
Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail(Year-round) | Trailhead location: The Rich Gudadagno trailhead parking area is located just off Coville Road in the middle of the refuge.Trail Description: Learn about the legacy of Rich Guadagno and be rewarded with 360 views from the overlook platform. At the platform you will get a great view of the many wetlands that encompass the southern part of the refuge. In the winter, you can see thousands of migratory waterfowl using the wetlands. Restrooms are available at the trailhead near the parking lot. | Distance: 0.4 mile
| |
Morgan Lake Trail(Seasonal - April 1 to Sept 30) | Trailhead location: From Pacific Highway West, turn onto Smithfield Road and continue straight for 2 miles. This out and back trail starts at a parking area located at the junction of Smithfield and Livermore Road on the north side of the refuge.Trail description: Walk to Morgan Lake, where you can spot Canada geese, Mallards, and Cinnamon Teal. Listen for Red-winged Blackbirds and Marsh Wrens. Enjoy views of the Refuge, then choose to return or connect to other trails. | Distance: 1.7 mile
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Baskett Butte Loop Trail(Year-round) | Trailhead location: Start this trail by hiking the Rich Guadagno Trail. Walk up the hill � take a right at the fork to begin the loop trail.Trail description: This trail loops through oak woodlands and mixed forest. In the spring this trail is great for viewing migratory songbirds. | Distance: 1.5 mile
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Highway 22 Wildlife Viewing Kiosk(Year-round) | Viewpoint location: Access viewpoint 2.5 miles west of Highway 22/99W Intersection.Viewpoint description: Stop at this scenic kiosk to enjoy views of Baskett Slough’s wetlands and green hillsides. This kiosk is a | Difficulty: Easy |
Highway 22 Wildlife Viewing Kiosk
Location:2.5 miles west of Highway 22/99W Intersection
Open: Year Round
Viewpoint description: Stop at this scenic kiosk to enjoy views of Baskett Slough’s wetlands and green hillsides. This kiosk is a
great place to stop to view the hundreds of migrating waterfowl that use the wetlands of Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Look for herons, shorebirds, coyotes wandering across the fields, and more! Explore the interpretive signs to learn more about the refuge’s amazing wildlife, history of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and more.
Baskett Butte Loop Trail
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Open: Year Round
Difficulty: Easy
Type of trail: Loop
Trailhead location: Start this trail by hiking the Rich Guadagno Trail. Walk up the hill � take a right at the fork to begin the loop trail.
Trail description: This trail loops through oak woodlands and mixed forest. In the spring this trail is great for viewing migratory songbirds.
Listen for Spotted Towhees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Bewick’s wrens as you hike through the woodlands. This trail is also home to wintering songbirds and woodpeckers like Acorn Woodpeckers and rare wildflowers like the Kincaid's Lupine.
Morgan Lake Trail
Distance: 1.7 miles one way
Open: April 1 - Sept 30
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Trail: Out and Back
Trailhead location: From Pacific Highway West, turn onto Smithfield Road and continue straight for 2 miles. This out and back trail starts at a parking area located at the junction of Smithfield and Livermore Road on the north side of the refuge.
Trail description: Walk to Morgan Lake, where you can spot Canada geese, Mallards, and Cinnamon Teal. Listen for Red-winged Blackbirds and Marsh Wrens. Enjoy views of the Refuge, then choose to return or connect to other trails.
Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail
Distance: 0.4 miles one way
Open: Year Round
Difficulty: Easy with moderate uphill
Type of Trail: Out and Back
Trailhead location: The Rich Gudadagno trailhead parking area is located just off Coville Road in the middle of the refuge.
Trail Description: Learn about the legacy of Rich Guadagno and be rewarded with 360 views from the overlook platform. At the platform you will get a great view of the many wetlands that encompass the southern part of the refuge. In the winter, you can see thousands of migratory waterfowl using the wetlands. Restrooms are available at the trailhead near the parking lot.
Related Documents
See what birds are visiting, feeding, roosting and nesting! Take the Willamette Valley NWRC Bird List with you on your Refuge adventure.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central location. Refuges are grouped because they occur in a similar ecological region and have a related purpose and management needs. These refuges for example, were created in the 1960s specifically for the habitat they provide for the dusky Canada geese in the winter.
The Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of three refuges: William L. Finley NWR and its additional Snag Boat Bend Unit, Ankeny NWR and Baskett Slough NWR.
Rules and Policies
There are lots of fun, interesting, and educational things you can do on the refuge. Keep in mind, if an activity is not wildlife related and doesn’t help in the protection or understanding of wildlife or their habitat, there are probably refuge rules governing this activity. For example, no pets are allowed at the Refuge. See details and all rules and regulations, below.
Locations
The refuge is located at the junction of State Highways 99W and 22 and can be accessed via Coville and Smithfield Roads off of Highway 99W. Refuge trailheads, viewing pull offs and parking areas can be found off of each. Parking is allowed in designated parking areas only. No overnight parking is allowed on the refuge.