About McNary National Wildlife Refuge
McNary National Wildlife Refuge is a welcomed respite for migratory birds, native plants and human visitors alike. Extending along the east bank of the Columbia River in southeastern Washington, from the confluence of the Snake River to the mouth of the Walla Walla River, and downstream into Oregon, McNary NWR is located in rural Burbank, but very close to the rapid development of the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco and Richland). In fact, the refuge meets the definition of an "urban refuge." Established in 1956, McNary NWR was created to replace wildlife habitat lost to construction of the McNary Dam downstream. The 15,000 acres of sloughs, ponds, streams and islands—riparian and wetland habitat—as well as upland shrub-steppe and cliff-talus habitat are important to migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds. Few areas in North America support such dense concentrations of waterfowl; more than half the mallards in the Pacific Flyway overwinter at some time in this portion of the Columbia River Basin.That said, McNary supports excellent populations of raptors, a host of mammal species, and as many reptiles and amphibians as can be found anywhere in the Columbia Basin.
How to Get There
From Pasco To McNary Headquarters & The Hunter Check Station:Take I-182 East. When it turns to the south, it becomes State Route 12 towards Walla Walla.Cross the the Snake River Bridge.Just after the bridge take the right-hand exit for State Route 124 to Waitsburg/Burbank.Go 1.5 miles (including the cloverleaf itself) to Lake Road and turn right onto Lake Road.Go 0.9 miles to Maple Street and turn right onto Maple Street.We’re on the right (64 Maple Street)
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to McNary National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to McNary National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for McNary National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for McNary National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/3919) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to McNary National Wildlife Refuge?
From Pasco To McNary Headquarters & The Hunter Check Station:Take I-182 East. When it turns to the south, it becomes State Route 12 towards Walla Walla.Cross the the Snake River Bridge.Just after the bridge take the right-hand exit for State Route 124 to Waitsburg/Burbank.Go 1.5 miles (including the cloverleaf itself) to Lake Road and turn right onto Lake Road.Go 0.9 miles to Maple Street and turn…
How do I contact McNary National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 509-546-8300 or email: mcriver@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
