This site is a wetland and riparian area along a mile of the Chinook River. Its primary conservation purpose is to preserve and protect critical habitat for young salmon, migratory birds, and other species. It is open to one permitted hunting party at a time.
Recreational Activities: Hunting
Access:
⇒ A Columbia Land Trust access permit is required for waterfowl, deer, and elk hunting.
⇒ Day use only
⇒ To provide a more enjoyable experience, access is limited to one permitted party at a time. Please submit an access permit request form at least two weeks in advance.
⇒ Note that this site is within a WDFW firearm restricted zone.
Dogs: No dogs allowed
Amenities: None
Trails: No real trails, but there is an unmaintained dirt road about 3/4 of a mile long
Acreage: 314 acres
County: Pacific County
Nearest Town: Chinook, WA
Directions: View on Google Maps. Park next to the gate along Chinook Valley Road. There is only room for only 1-2 cars, but it is ok to block the gate. Display your Columbia Land Trust hunting access parking permit in your dashboard.
Tips for visiting: No dogs are allowed and only permitted hunting access is allowed at this time. Please follow all state and federal hunting regulations, as well as Columbia Land Trust’s hunting rules. Please be respectful of the neighbors. There are no trash cans here, so you must pack out all your trash. This area is tidally influenced and floods easily in the fall and winter. ATVs are not allowed. Please respect wildlife habitat by not disturbing recent plantings.
Year Conserved: 2017
About: This natural area contains a mile of the Chinook River, two fish-bearing tributaries, and 240 acres of associated wetlands. It builds on three other restoration projects in the Chinook River watershed and is adjacent to Fort Columbia State Park and the 1,000-acre Chinook River Wildlife Area (managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), providing habitat connectivity so wildlife can move freely through this area. It preserves intertidal wetland habitat for salmon and upland forest for mammals and migratory birds. Restoration work at the Chinook River site includes decommissioning an old road to connect wetlands, native species plantings, and ongoing removal of invasive species.
Project Partners: USFWS’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program (NCWCG) and Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Salmon Recovery Funding Board.