E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area: A visitors' guide
The E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area came into existence in 1950 when the U.S. Government gave quitclaim title to the property to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The wildlife area covers approximately 1,788 acres, is located on Highway 99W about 10 miles north of Corvallis and is situated on the Willamette Valley floor.
A parking permit is required to park at this wildlife area. Find out how to buy a parking permit.
Best time to visit: All year. April - August for bird-watching, September - February for hunting, and February - September for fishing.
Visiting hours: Wildlife Area: 4am-10pm Office: 8am-4pm most weekdays (Office is open 7 days a week in October)
E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area Map (pdf)
What to see and do: E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area offers a diversity of Willamette Valley habitat types. Easy non-motorized access is available via a grid of remnant paved and gravel roads; these can be accessed via 5 parking lots along Camp Adair Road. The roads allow access for persons with disabilities and allow biking and horseback riding.
- Hunting opportunities include pheasant, quail, rabbit (November – February), dove, snipe, crow, waterfowl (no goose hunting), coyote, and big game; hunting is restricted to shotgun and archery only.
- A fishing pond is stocked with trout February – June, and is open year-round.
- Memorial Garden commemorates the 4 divisions that trained on the military base during World War II, and a variety of game bird species can be seen on display. An interpretive trail offers an accompanying guide.
- Shotgun shooting range: non-toxic shot only; no handguns, rifles, air guns, or crossbows.
- The E.E. Wilson Archery Park is open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week, and can accommodate youth and adults with experience levels ranging from beginner to expert (archers need to bring their own shooting equipment). The facility has targets ranging from 10-100 yards, a covered staging and shooting area, an enclosed youth range, 3 broadhead practice lanes (bring your own target when shooting broadheads), and a new elevated a shooting platform (archers must bring their own safety harness).
- Educational group tours are available by reservation with Wildlife Area Headquarters. The proximity of E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area to many local schools, colleges and universities makes it popular for those instructors seeking an "outdoor classroom" for students. Call 541-745-5334 for more information.
- Wildlife: bald eagle, osprey, red-tailed hawk, great horned owl, turkey vulture, great blue heron, egret, bobcat, coyote, mink, beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, western pond turtle, pacific tree frog, western gray squirrel, dusky-footed woodrat, ring-necked pheasant, quail, mourning dove, band-tailed pigeon, snipe, killdeer, kingfisher, dunlin, sandpiper, hummingbirds, woodpecker, flycatcher, crow, nuthatch, wren, thrush, warbler, sparrow, red-winged blackbird, finch, and waterfowl. (Complete list of documented species can be found in Appendix C of the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area Management Plan)
- Facilities: archery park, shotgun range, stocked fishing pond, hunting, picnic area, restrooms, trails, camp host, memorial site, ADA accessible
- Nearby: Oregon State University's MacDonald Research Forest offers horseback riding, hiking, cycling and interpretive trails as well as PV Arboretum. Luckiamute Landing State Natural Area provides hiking and other outdoor recreation. Baskett Slough, Ankeny, and William L. Finley national wildlife refuges are in the area.
Directions: Travel 10 miles north of Corvallis on Hwy. 99W. Turn east on Camp Adair Road.
Address and Phone:
E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area
29555 Camp Adair Road
Monmouth, OR 97361
(541) 745-5334
Additional resources: