William L. Finley NWR is an incredible place to hike! From the popular 1.1 mile Woodpecker Loop to the Homer Campbell Boardwalk, there is something for everyone and every ability. Trails traverse various habitat types and offer wonderful views. Some areas are seasonally closed to provide sanctuary for migratory birds and waterfowl. Sanctuary season at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge starts as the Dusky canada geese arrive, on October 1st and ends as they head north to their breeding grounds in Alaska, on April 1st.
Hiking is allowed in all areas open to the public. Wildlife observation and photography are encouraged. Please stay out of closed areas to minimize disturbance to plants and animals. Bicycling and running are allowed only on designated public access routes. These activities are not allowed on trails or roads closed to public vehicles.
Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) trails include:
- McFadden's Marsh Observation Blind trail off Bruce Rd.
- Homer Campbell Boardwalk trail - a 1,600 ft. flat boardwalk trail through a riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian hardwood forest that goes out to a blind that overlooks Cabell Marsh.
Woodpecker Loop Trail (Year-round)
Length: 1.12 miles Difficulty: Easy Type of trail: Loop
Location: Trailhead is located just off Finley Refuge Road. Picnic tables and a porta-potty is located near the trailhead.
Trail Description: Walking this trail will allow you to see a variety of habitats including oak woodland, oak savanna, a seasonal pond and a Douglass fir dominated forest. There is also an exceptional view of the valley and Cascade Range at an overlook.
Mill Hill Trail (Year-round)
Length: 2.73 miles Difficulty: Moderate Type of trail: Loop
Location: Trailhead may be accessed from the Display Pond or Headquarters parking areas. Follow the trail signs as you hike from either access point.
Trail Description: This up-and-down trail takes you though many different forest types: oak, woodland, mature maple, and Douglas Fir. Look for wood ducks or beavers on Gray Creek or rest on one of the benches to watch for elk, deer and other wildlife around the forest margins.
McFadden's Marsh Observation Blind Trail (Year-round)
Length: 0.14 miles Difficulty: Easy Type of trail: Out and Back
Location: Trailhead is located on the north side of Bruce Road near the eastern boundary. A porta-potty is located near the trailhead.
Trail Description: This accessible trail and boardwalk meanders beside McFadden Marsh, ending in an observation blind overlooking the Marsh.
Cheadle Marsh Trail (Seasonal)
Length: 1.03 miles Difficulty: Moderate Type of trail: Out and Back or connect with Pigeon Butte Trail
Location: Trailhead is located at turnout off Bruce Road.
Trail Description: Walk past the gate here, onto the dike. This flat trail follows the banks of Cheadle Marsh and the riparian forest of Muddy Creek, ending close to Irwin Cheadle Barn.
Homer Campbell Boardwalk Trail (Year-round)
Length: 0.36 miles Difficulty: Easy Type of trail: Out and Back or connect with Cabell Marsh seasonal trail
Location: Trailhead is at the parking area east of the historical Fiechter House.
Trail Description: This accessible boardwalk winds through Muddy Creek riparian area that is seasonally flooded with winter rains. The trail ends at an observation blind overlooking Cabell Marsh.
A seasonal extension offers access to Cabell Marsh and the Refuge interior.
Cabell Marsh Trail (Seasonal)
Length: 1.90 miles Difficulty: Easy Type of trail: Out and Back or connect with Beaver Pond or Cattail Pond trails
Location: Trailhead is at the Cabell Lodge parking lot off Finley Refuge Road. A path to an observation deck and scope is open year-round.
Trail Description: Head east from the deck onto the service road and turn right. At the junction there to continue to other trails or turn back around and finish your hike here.
Intertie Trail (Year-round)
Length: 0.56 miles Difficulty: Easy Type of trail: Out and Back
Location: Can be accessed near the midway point on Woodpecker Loop or near the beginning of Mill Hill Trail.
Trail Description: This trail ties together Woodpecker and Mill Hill Loops. It takes you through the understory of a mixed deciduous and fir forest.
Snag Boat Bend Unit - Lake Creek Trail (Year-round)
Length: .60 miles Type of trail: Out and Back or connect with Heron Loop or Turtle Loop trails
Location: Trailhead and parking lot can be accessed through Eastern section of the unit off Peoria Road.
Trail Description: From the parking lot follow the boardwalk through a marshy riparian area and onto an unimproved path through the shrubby woodland. Continue along the trail a quarter mile until you come upon a picnic area where you can see western pond turtles basking on logs in Lake Creek. As you walk along the trail you鈥檒l notice numerous young trees in this area. Cottonwoods, big-leaf maple and Oregon ash are just a few of the tree species that have been planted here in recent years to restore historical riparian habitat. Continue to follow the trail as it meanders alongside Lake Creek until you reach the junction to the Lake Creek Observation Blind. At the observation blind look, out one of the windows onto Lake Creek. Wood duck, great blue heron, and belted kingfisher are commonly seen in this area. From here you can either return to the parking area or continue on for Heron and Turtle Loop trails.
