Re-opening of trails at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

The Grand Re-opening of the Art Trail boardwalk and Cutthroat Climb trail will take place August 5 at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. After a year of closure for repairs, these beloved trails will re-open. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Friends of Willapa will host guided hikes and hands-on nature activities at this family-friendly event.

An opening ceremony begins at 8:45 a.m., followed by guided hikes offered each hour at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00 a.m. From 9:00 a.m. – noon engage in nature based activities such as arts & crafts. These events are free and open to everyone, registration is not required. All activities will be held at Cutthroat Creek located north of mile marker 24 on Highway 101.

Following the trail re-opening, the Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge will host a members-only barge trip to Long Island with a guided hike. This island, only accessible by boat, is a part of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and is home to the Don Bonker Cedar Grove Trail. The one-mile trail winds through an old-growth coastal temperate rainforest with many large western red cedar trees that are nearly 1,000 years old.

Check-in for the Long Island trip starts at 2:45 p.m. and the barge departs at 3:15 p.m. Participants will return to Cutthroat Creek at 7:15 p.m. The entire round-trip hike including the Cedar Grove trail is approximately 2-miles on an unpaved trail rated at moderate and difficult in some areas. Participants must be able to walk on uneven terrain over a long distance. Participants must also wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) on the barge. If you have a PFD, bring it with you. The refuge will have free PFDs available for those that do not have one. We recommend wearing all-weather clothing and appropriate footwear and bring water, snacks, binoculars, camera, and insect repellant.

Registration is required for this free event and available only for current Friends members. Register for the event or become a member and join the trip at friendsofwillaparefuge.org. If weather or other conditions require cancellation of this event, you will be notified as soon as possible.