Visiting the Sanctuary
Nestled against Forest Park, five minutes from downtown Portland, is our 143-acre, free-to-the-public Nature Sanctuary. Our wildlife sanctuary is a showcase for native flora and fauna. It has over four miles of forested hiking trails for you to enjoy year 'round (map). Directions to Audubon Sanctuary Trails are open dawn to dusk every day
Nestled
against Forest Park, five minutes from downtown Portland, is our
148-acre, free-to-the-public Nature Sanctuary. Our wildlife sanctuary
is a showcase for native flora and fauna. It has over four
miles of forested hiking trails for you to enjoy year 'round (map). Directions to Audubon Sanctuary
Trails are open dawn to dusk every day.
The mixed
conifer forest along Balch Creek has a lush understory of Vanilla
Leaf, Fendler's Waterleaf, Swordfern, Western Trillium, Maiden Hair Fern, Oregon Grape,
Indian Plum, Salmonberry, and Stinging Nettle. Native Plant Interpretive Guide
A small
stand of old growth Douglas Firs stands as testimony to the giants that
once graced the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.
Balch Creek is home to a small population of native Cutthroat Trout. An anadromous species, this population is landlocked due to several culverts along the length of the creek.
Look
for Steller's Jay, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Varied Thrush, Mourning
Dove, Pacific Giant Salamander, and Douglas Squirrel, as well
as Roughskin Newt, Red-legged Frog and Western Painted Turtle in
the pond.
Our small pond and pavilion structure provide a peaceful place to
have lunch and let the wildlife come to you. The pond provides
sanctuary to a diverse group of amphibians.
The Wildwood trail and greater Forest Park is accessible from our sanctuary if you would like to lengthen your hike. Pittock Mansion is a short 25 minute hike up the hill from Portland Audubon.
Wildlife Care Center: Open 365 days per year, our care center is the oldest and busiest wildlife rehabilitation center in Oregon.
Trail Map: Trails are open dawn to dusk every day