Portland's first official urban wildlife refuge, Oaks Bottom is a 170 acre complex of meadows, woodlands and wetlands on the east bank of the Willamette River just north of the Sellwood Bridge. The refuge is the largest remaining natural area within the lower Willamette River floodplain and provides important habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened salmon and over 175 bird species.
Hawks, quail, pintails, mallards, coots, woodpeckers, kestrels, and widgeons are just the start of the list of birds that one might encounter in Oaks Bottom — the birdwatcher's paradise. Scores of great blue heron are found in the area because of its proximity to one of the rookeries on Ross Island. The trail is a 2-mile loop.
Learn about the habitat enhancement at Oaks Bottom.
Adventures Containing this park:
Strolling the Oaks Bottom Loop
The 170-acre Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge on the east bank of the Willamette River in Portland became Portland's first urban wildlife refuge in 1988 and today is one of the most popular urban wildlife areas in the region. If you haven't walked the loop yet, you've got to go.
The Portland Birding Loop
Portland's reputation as a "green" metropolitan area is confirmed by a remarkable array of birding sites, offering a chance to find nearly every species of bird that regularly occurs in the Willamette Valley. From the Willamette River confluence east to the Sandy River Delta, the mighty Columbia River and nearby lakes and wetlands offer you views of magnificent wildlife.
Notes on Spring at Oaks Bottom from an Urban Naturalist
Spring abounds! Come along with the resident naturalist of Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge for a lesson in the plants and animals to look for during spring along the Springwater.
27th Annual Great Blue Heron Week: May 30th to June 9th
Join us in celebrating more than a quarter century since the Great Blue Heron was adopted as Portland’s official city bird during the twenty-sixth Annual Great Blue Heron Week, Wednesday, May 30th through Sunday June 9th, 2013.
Get Carried Away with The Intertwine
Stop to quite literally enjoy the fruits of summer in the Pacific Northwest. The Intertwine and delicious berries are all around you!
The Sellwood to Steel Bridge Loop – a perfect urban bike ride
Ride the inner ring around downtown Portland on this easygoing cruise from Sellwood in SW Portland to Tom McCall Waterfront Park in NW Portland, and see all the best sights along the Willamette River.
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