Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area Visitors' Guide
Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area is located in the Oregon Coast Range Mountains, in the northwestern part of the state. The wildlife area was established in 1969, with an initial purchase of 183 acres. It now encompasses 1,114 acres. The wildlife area’s purpose is to protect and enhance habitat to benefit native wildlife species, to reduce wildlife damage to adjacent properties, and to provide the public with an opportunity to observe wildlife in a natural setting.
Elk feeding tours
Tours are offered from December through February. Tours are generally six days a week Thursday through Tuesday, but could change depending on availability of staff and volunteers. Due to the popularity of this program, reservations are required. Jewell Meadows staff will begin taking reservations on Dec. 1 at 8 a.m. To make a reservation, call the wildlife area at 503-755-2264. Please be patient as there is only one phone line. Callers may experience busy signals but keep dialing until you get through.
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 for bird and wildlife viewing. November - April for elk viewing.
Visiting hours: always open
Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area Map (pdf)
What to see and do: Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area is managed to provide winter habitat and supplemental feeding for Roosevelt elk. Open pastures border a state highway, offering excellent viewing of up to 200 elk during winter and spring. Other wildlife species also are abundant. The main meadow is a year-round refuge with no hunting or public access. The wildlife area has two paved parking areas, four viewing areas and interpretive signage.
- Wildlife: Bald Eagles, Red Tailed Hawks, many Owl species, Coyotes, Bobcats, Weasels, River otters, Beaver, Raccoons, Roosevelt Elk, Black-tailed Deer, Stellar’s Jay, Tree Swallows, Violet-green Swallows, Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Hooded Mergansers, and Mallards among others
- Facilities: camp host, fishing, ADA accessible, hunting, picnic area, restrooms
- Nearby: Hunting and fishing areas are available nearby.
Directions: From Portland, travel west on Hwy. 26 to the Jewell Junction, just west of Elderberry Inn. Turn north on Hwy. 103, which parallels the Nehalem River for nine miles to Jewell. At Jewell travel 1.5 miles west on Hwy. 202 to the refuge area on Fishhawk Creek. Parking areas are provided at strategic points to aid viewing. The Beneke Creek tract is north of Jewell on Beneke Creek Road.
Address and Phone:
Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area
79878 Hwy. 202
Seaside, OR 97138
(503) 755-2264
Additional resources:
Find a Rec Report
Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state.