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Oregon

When to catch Malheur Refugeat its best

Malheur Refuge through the year: spring waterfowl (local timing: late winter through the end of May) and pintails and shovelers (local timing: mid-August). Each has its own page with spots, sources and the latest reports.

Updated

About Malheur Refuge

What it is
A wildlife refuge in Oregon
A little history
President Theodore Roosevelt established the Lake Malheur Reservation (Malheur, Mud and Harney Lakes) on August 18, 1908, as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds.The Harney and Stinking Lake Research Natural Areas were established in 1975.
What you'll see
Spring waterfowl · Feb–MayPintails and shovelers · usual peak mid-August
Before you go
Is there a fee, and when is the refuge open? No fee: the refuge is always free and open every day from sunrise to sunset. Early morning and late evening are the best times to watch wildlife.When is the visitor center open? From April 1 to September 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; in March it has limited hours (call ahead), and it is closed from October 1 to the end of February. The George Benson Memorial Museum at headquarters is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Sources (4)

RIGHT NOW · OCT 2

  • Latest reportNo dated report this season; the posters below show each usual window.
  • This weekend (NWS)Sat sunny, 75°F · Sun sunny, 77°F
  • Park alertsCheck the managing agency before you go

When are you going?

Fall at Malheur Refuge

Good in fall

  • Tundra swans may gather at Knox, Benson and Marshall ponds (October and November)

From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.

Next peak here after fall

MOST NUMEROUS · PINTAILS AND SHOVELERSMalheur RefugePintails and shovelersWildlife refugemid-AugustU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
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Where to go at Malheur Refuge

Spots, visitor points and places nearby
  • Spring

Visitor points on this map: HQ Museum (0 mi) · Environmental Education Pavilion (0.1 mi) · Marshall Pond Observation Blind (0.1 mi)

Places on this map, as a list
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census. Outside the map: John Day Fossil Beds, Krumbo Reservoir Picnic Area.

Best spots

Where each event's source says to go
  • Overlook Trail at Refuge HeadquartersGood for spring waterfowlA short (0.11-mile) walk up from headquarters through sagebrush to a 1930s lookout tower with the refuge's best view of Malheur Lake, which is itself closed to the public; headquarters is 32 miles south of Burns (26 miles on Highway 205, then 6 miles east on Sodhouse Lane)U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Buena Vista Overlook TrailGood for spring waterfowl · pintails and shovelersA 0.33-mile walk (or a drive) to an overlook of Steens Mountain and the Blitzen Valley, noted by the refuge as an excellent birding hike; Buena Vista Ponds is one of its best birding sites, and there are restrooms at the overlookU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Benson Pond TrailGood for pintails and shovelersA trail with many birds to watch and hear; trumpeter swans typically nest on the pondU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
  • Marshall Pond at HeadquartersGood for pintails and shovelersTundra swans may gather here in October and November; one of the refuge's suggested winter stopsU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗

Next 7 days at Malheur Refuge

Forecast: National Weather Service
  • TodayPartly Sunny72° / 47°–
  • SatSunny75° / 48°–
  • SunSunny77° / 50°2% rain
  • MonMostly Sunny76° / 48°2% rain
  • TueSunny73° / 47°–
  • WedSunny72° / 46°–
  • ThuSunny73° / ––

Today: sunrise 6:55 a.m., sunset 6:36 p.m., light until 7:05 p.m. · moon last quarter, 54% lit (our calculation)

Worth the drive, and when they peak

Straight-line miles; roads are longer

Towns nearby

Straight-line miles; each town page has frost dates and its nature year

Malheur Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge at sunset
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge at sunset, June 9, 2021. Photo: Brent Lawrence/USFWS · public domain · resized

Questions people ask

Is there a fee, and when is the refuge open?

No fee: the refuge is always free and open every day from sunrise to sunset. Early morning and late evening are the best times to watch wildlife.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Can I walk anywhere on the refuge?

No. To protect wildlife, all areas are closed unless posted open at designated trails, sites or facilities, and Malheur Lake itself is closed to the public. Birding is allowed only on designated roads, trails and sites shown on the refuge map. Pets must be on a leash.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Auto tour (birding: when to go and best sites) ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Trails ↗ (opens in a new tab)

What are the roads like, and can I get fuel there?

Refuge roads are gravel, with few pullouts along the 42-mile auto tour route and limited turnarounds for larger vehicles. The refuge has no lodging or fuel, so arrive with a full tank and a vehicle in good condition. Roads can close when conditions are hazardous, mostly in fall and winter; call (541) 493-2612 for current road conditions.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

When is the visitor center open?

From April 1 to September 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; in March it has limited hours (call ahead), and it is closed from October 1 to the end of February. The George Benson Memorial Museum at headquarters is open daily from sunrise to sunset.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How we know

Every timing above, from these pages; checked Sep 30