Planning 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 Riekkola unit is located 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.

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.

Refuge Headquarters: The Refuge Headquarters is located near mile marker 24 on Highway 101.

From Portland, OR, three different routes will lead to the Refuge Headquarters:

• Highway 26 West to Highway 101 North, crossing from Oregon to Washington at Astoria and continuing north on Highway 101
• Interstate 5 North to Washington State Route 4 West at Longview, to Highway 101 South
• Highway 30 West to Highway 101 North, crossing from Oregon to Washington at Astoria

From Seattle, WA, follow these directions to Refuge Headquarters:

• Drive south on Interstate 5, take Exit 104 and follow state Route 8 to Montesano.
• From Montesano follow State Route 12 to U.S. 107, then pick up Highway 101 and drive to Raymond and South Bend.
• It is about 25 miles from South Bend to Refuge Headquarters.

Tarlatt Slough Unit: From Highway 101 departing Seaview, Washington, turn north on Sandridge Road. Continue up Sandridge Road until 95th Street. Turn right at 95th Street. The Tarlatt Unit is located to the south of 95th Street. Continue down 95th Street until a Y in the road. Turn right at the Y. This will take you to the Tarlatt Unit gate.

Old growth at Teal SloughTeal Slough Unit: This 0.57-mile trail travels through a coastal old growth forest that provides homes for two state and federally protected species, marbled murrelets and spotted owls. Limited parking is available at the Teal Slough Gate. Located just north of the Refuge Headquarters along Highway 101

Riekkola 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. A boat ramp at Milepost 24 on state highway 101 offers the best departure point for Long Island.