Explore the Finley Wildlife Refuge

Starting at the visitor center, the trail begins west heading into the forest where you’ll only gain around a couple hundred feet of elevation. While you are hiking on this trail you are surrounded by conifer trees, little open areas of sitting water, and look outs that are hidden within the trail. During the duration of the trail, there are two lookouts into open areas where you could potentially see wildlife, such as Elk, Deer, Pelicans, Blue Heron, ect. It mainly depends on the time of day that you could spot these creatures. My friends have had luck finding Elk early in the mornings just so you know. The hike in general is about a mile or two round trip. When you leave the visitor center to head back to the main highway, about a half mile you will drive past smaller paved parking lot. This is another area where you will want to park and explore! From the parking lot, you will immediately be met by a wooden decked path that leads you out about a ¼ mile where you will intersect the lake. This spot is one of the coolest because you have a great chance of seeing all kinds of birds, and the otters will want to say Hi as well I’m sure. Overall, this is one of the coolest spots you’ll find south of Corvallis. Hope you enjoy!