Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Tammy Schur
2 months ago
You would never know that the headquarters to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge would be a hidden oasis in the midst of ranch lands. We drove several miles on a washboard gravel road, thinking we missed this place. The milage on the sinage is a smidge off, or maybe it's our vehicle. On the perimeter of miles of wetlands frequented by migratory birds lies this place. A paved path from the parking area leads you into beautifully groomed grass and gardens. An interpretive center is there as is a cool little museum that has information on every migratory bird, their eggs, etc. The gift shop is worth a visit too! You can bird watch by sitting in the blinds that are available. Talk with the hosts who can inform you of recent bird sightings, or simply sit and enjoy all the bird activity around you. This was my first ever sighting of a great horned owl. It was a baby that the parents kept very busy feeding. Bring a lunch or snack and take your time there. A bird watchers paradise!

  William Farrell
2 weeks ago
Responding to Camellia Ma:Hi. I have visited and worked at Malheur NWR Headquarters visitors center for many decades. The explosion of these bugs (known as Mormon crickets for the big part they played in Salt Lake City history) was a once in fifty year occurrence. You may have seen TV news reports in which similar swarms shut down US highways and interstates in Nevada during your Malheur visit.A more typical complaint at Malheur is mosquitoes, which provide vital food to the Spring migration birds. Good clothing and perhaps headgear netting is a good idea during the month of May and early June. Other times of the year are pretty much bug-free.

  Camellia Ma
8 months ago
I was so looking forward to visit Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, as the season now, I feel so frustrated of bugs. You will not believe how much grasshoppers are there. They are like clouds around your car!!! And mosquitoes can almost carryover you! Which season should I come next time? Anyone familiar with this location can give us some suggestions? Thank you in advance! The refuge is beautiful and big!

  Dave Riddle
11 months ago
Malheur is an amazing place to see migrating birds, such as White Faced Ibis, Willets, Curlews, Dowicher, Wilson's Snipe, Black Neck Stilt, American Avocet, Tundra and Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, a wide variety of waterfowl, various swallows and a tree swallow nest, and of course, resident birds such as pheasants, chuckars, and quail. There are bald and golden eagles as well as various kinds of blackbirds and other small birds, like the Marsh Wrens. We also had the opportunity to see a Great Horned Owl and the chick in the nest. In short, this is an amazing place to experience a wide variety of birds in a high desert setting with the backdrop of Steens Mountain in the distance. Starting your visit at the Visitor Center is a great way to begin.

  4raftin
6 months ago
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  Cecelia Henderson
3 years ago
Just visited this incredible place the first week of May 2020. The visitor center is closed but fabulous bathrooms are open and you can walk and hike and drive all around the refuge. Breathtaking views of natural areas...ponds, rivers, marshes, meadows and rock cliffs all with unique and wonderful birds and wildlife. The 42 mile drive through the refuge is a must as is the walk to the Benton pond area where we spotted a great horned owl and the P Ranch where we observed a bald eagle in it s nest high in a cottonwood tree. Take the time to truly look around and enjoy. And don t forget to visit The Round Barn where there are more nesting owls and flocks of migrating shore birds in the pond. Awesome!

  Kelly Smith
a year ago
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  Eric Valentine
2 years ago
A delightful stop even in the summer s heat. There are lots of cottonwood trees that provide shade. Plus the nature store not only sells stimulating materials , but also provides a sheltered picnic area. And be sure to enjoy watching the hummingbirds at the feeder and the natural history museum.

  Carol Louise Moore (KCMOOREFAMILY)
2 years ago
You will definitely see different kinds of birds flying around. The museum itself is full of many different kinds of birds, eggs, to animals that live in the ground. This is very family oriented, and great for school outings. Handicap accessible

  JJ Ross
2 months ago
It's a very peaceful place to visit and view over 340 species of birds! If you love bird watching, this is the place for you! There are also some great viewing sites. My favorites are Buena VistaPonds and Overlook, Krumbo Reservoir,Benson Pond, Knox Ponds.

  Nicholas Hummel
8 months ago
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  Krystal Jones
4 years ago
I have never been one to really enjoy birds, that is, until this trip. In the few days of being there, I documented 105 different species of birds ranging from birds of prey, to waterfowl, to songbirds, and so much more. Seriously a gorgeous place!

  Daniel Wehle
a year ago
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  Jan Richmond
a year ago
We arrived just in time to participate in the walk for the wild. Birded our way along the 5k route which is normally a closed area. This refuge has an amazing little bird museum with a great variety of specimens on display including the largest Sandhill crane egg.

  Cassandra McCain
4 months ago
So many birds to view at the museum. They even have bird eggs and rodents available for viewing. Small but definitely neat.

  David Lantz
5 years ago
An absolutely magnificent area in eastern Oregon. Wide open spaces and many great animals. Rabbit, ground squirrel, chipmunk, prong horned antilelop and many more. Great birding.

  Reed Koyano
a year ago
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  Donald Feltham (Donjerue)
a year ago
One of the great Wildife refuges of the Pacific Flyway, a birder's paradise. I spotted over 20 species of birds in 4 hrs, including American Bittern, White Faced Ibis, Ruddy Ducks, Gadwalls, American Coots, Black Crowned Night Herons, American Avocets, Sandhill Cranes, Eastern King birds, Cinnamon Teals, Northern Shovelers, Western Tanagers and more! Make sure to visit Buenavista Pons, a veritable oasis of birife

  Mirisha Bogardus
a year ago
Such a beautiful place! Great stop for a picnic or to stretch your legs. Plenty to see and walk around.

  Steve S
4 years ago
Excellent people working with all the bird and wildlife knowledge needed. Very nice museum with LOTS of birds. Very pleasant place to meander around even if you're not into birding.

  Debi Long
2 years ago
Beautiful and serene landscape. We came at the end of August and there has been a drought, so sadly there was no water in the lakes.

  Mark Richard
7 months ago
This was such a peaceful place to visit.We parked on the hill by the fire tower and walked down to the buildings.It is so quiet I think we heard a mouse fart while we were sitting there communing with nature.Great place to see all manner of birds.Also a great place just to sit and relax.

  kellE N
5 years ago
Beautiful.The volunteers at the visitors center were friendly and offered very helpful tips.Lovely site!

  Justice Scott
9 months ago
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  Steve Cornwell
4 years ago
Great place for bird viewing. The whole reserve is beautiful. Glad the Bundy boys didn't steal it from tax payers. We'll keep coming back here. Saw three great horned owl on this visit right at the visitor center.

  David Kravetz (Sumoflam)
5 years ago
Surprisingly scenic drive in Central Oregon through the high desert. So glad I took this drive!

  Amanda Stacey
a year ago
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  Cassandra McXxxx
4 months ago
Eventhough it was closed for the season, it was pretty neat. There was a small museum there with birds and eggs and rodents.

  Michael Orf
2 years ago
Beautiful!! Secluded area with Tons of wildlife. Photographer's play land.

  Roger Hodge
8 months ago
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