Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Wildflowers, hiking + more

Blink and you’ll miss it. Ask a local and they may have no idea what you’re talking about. But now that you’re reading this post, you know: The unassuming and peaceful Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing place to visit for hiking, wildflowers, whale watching, bird watching and more.

Covering more than 1,000 acres, this wildlife refuge in Tillamook County lies between Neskowin and Pacific City, OR. It is free to visit but dogs and other pets are not allowed, since they can scare the animals that live here.

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located on a narrow road just off of Highway 101. It’s a terrific spot to stretch your legs on an Oregon Coast road trip.

We’ve visited the refuge in nearly every season. It changes month to month: sometimes bursting with colorful asters and goldenrod; other times shrouding itself in coastal mist.

Hiking in Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge hiking offers two trails: The short Pacific View Trail and the forested Two Rivers Nature Trail.

The Pacific View Trail could only generously be called a hike. It’s a 10-minute walk up a small hill along a paved path. It winds through prairie and grasslands that, in spring and summer, are carpeted with wildflowers.

The Two Rivers Nature Trail is a 2.2-mile loop, with multiple options for routes. The trails make a sort of figure 8, so you can hike a custom route, depending on how long you want to hike.

Two Rivers Nature Trail takes you through the forest. One section of the trail ends at a point that overlooks Nestucca River and Little Nestucca River. On another section, you can hike down to a fishing spot.

The loop is of moderate difficulty. It gains elevation and you’ll have to navigate around roots and other obstacles in the natural dirt path. That said, Two Rivers Nature Trail is kid-friendly.

At the top of the loop, you’ll find a clearing with picnic tables—ideal for a snack break!

Spot Wildlife in the Refuge

The more than 1,000 acres of Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge are home to many types of animals. Some wildlife stays year-round; others pause here while migrating.

The Nestucca River and Little Nestucca River converge here on the Pacific Ocean. This estuary environment, where sea meets freshwater, is ideal for many species. If you want to spot wildlife, early morning is your best bet. Many animals are most active in the morning.

Herds of elk move throughout the wildlife refuge. If you’re more used to seeing deer, you’ll marvel at the size of elk.

Salmon also migrate from the ocean to spawning grounds via the rivers here.

Bird Watching in Nestucca Bay

No matter what time of year you visit the wildlife refuge, you’re sure to see birds. The kind of birds you’ll spot depends on the season when you visit.

• Spring: Migrating waterfowl
• Summer: Ducks, osprey, brown pelicans
• Fall: Shorebirds, ducks, raptors. Late fall brings thousands of geese to rest and eat in the meadows.
• Winter: Loons, grebes, sea ducks, other waterfowl

Near the entrance to Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge (in the lower parking lot), you’ll find bird watching blinds. Sit quietly here; watch—and listen!—for birds. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Wildflowers near Pacific City, OR

Good things come to those who wait—and that’s definitely the case for Oregon Coast wildflowers!

The coastal prairie within Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge bursts into color in late spring and early summer. You’ll spot yellows, purples, blues and whites—a rainbow of beauty.

To admire the wildflowers, park in the upper lot of the refuge. Several short trails wind through the prairies. The Pacific View Trail is a gently sloping, paved trail that passes through meadows up to the platform that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

You can also walk the Two Rivers Nature Trail. Most of this trail passes through forest, but you can walk the first, short section through flower fields.

When you’re walking, look for these Oregon Coast wildflowers:

• Canada Goldenrod
• California Aster
• Yarrow
• Early Blue Violet (one of the only places where this rare flower blooms)
• Pearly Everlasting
• Broadleaf Lupine

As you’re admiring the wildflowers in this rare coastal prairie, look for Rufous hummingbirds. You might spy them flitting from flower to flower.

Whale Watching near Neskowin, OR

One of the Oregon Coast’s most popular pastimes is whale watching. Plenty of people pay for a charter or tour. But did you know you can also go whale watching from land?

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers an expansive view of the Pacific Ocean. This view also includes common whale migration routes.

It’s easier to spot whales in the distance if you have a higher vantage point. That makes the overlook platform in the wildlife refuge the perfect spot for whale watching near Neskowin and Pacific City, OR.

The overlook sits at the top of a gentle hill. Looking down, you’ll take in a view of wildflower-filled meadow (during the late spring and early summer). Farther out you’ll see the ocean—and, if you’re lucky, a migrating gray whale.

When can I see whales on the Oregon Coast?

Whales are present on the Oregon Coast pretty much year-round. That said, peak whale watching season comes at two points during the year.

Peak Whale Watching Season on the Oregon Coast

• Mid-winter (December – January)
• Spring (February – May)

As many as 20,000 gray whales pass by the Oregon Coast every year. They swim between Alaska and Mexico, depending on if they’re breeding and calving or focusing on eating.

(Fun fact: Gray whales rarely eat while they’re migrating or calving. But when they do eat, they can put away 1.3 tons of amphipod crustaceans—critters that look like tiny shrimp—every day.)

Things to do near Neskowin and Pacific City, Oregon

If you’re looking for things to do near Neskowin, OR, the wildlife refuge is just 10 minutes north on Highway 101. And if you’re staying in Pacific City, Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 10-minute drive south.

One of my favorite things to do on the Oregon Coast is explore outdoors. If you haven’t yet been here, I 100% recommend visiting the Nestucca Bay Wildlife Refuge. Whether you’re looking for a wildflower hike, a spot to go whale watching, or a family-friendly activity, you’ll have a great time in this little refuge.

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is quite a mouthful. Don’t risk forgetting its name; pin this for later for when you travel to the North Oregon Coast!

PS – Have you heard of the Neskowin Ghost Forest? This phenomenon is just 10 minutes south of the wildlife refuge.