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Jay Trail

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Portland Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Portland Audubon

Name: Portland Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary

Parks agency: Portland Audubon

Contact: Administration (503) 292-6855

Contact: Nature Store (503) 292-9453

Contact: Wildlife Care Center (503) 292-0304

Location: 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210

Trail hours: dawn — dusk, daily

Nature & Interpretive Center hours: 10 am — 5 pm, daily

Wildlife Care Center: 9 am — 5 pm, daily

Transit: no public transit

Length: three trail systems with a total of 4.5 miles of trails

How difficult we consider it: highly varied with some extreme sections

Date of last visit: October 15, 2021

Portland Audubon's 150-acre Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled against Forest Park just five minutes from downtown Portland. Parking across the road from the main parking lot and facilities, you will have better visibility when leaving and merging into traffic on busy Cornell Road. There is a crosswalk to help get you across the road.

There are 4.5 miles of trails at the Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary. From the main parking lot, there is access to the Wildlife Sanctuary Trails, one of the three natural surface trail networks, here. The Sanctuary trails begin with the steep grade of the Jay Trail. This trail network includes the occasional large root or boulder crossing the path of travel. If these are surmountable, the trail destinations are well worth it!  A small pond and covered pavilion structure provide a peaceful place to let wildlife come to you. There are places to sit along Balch Creek or walk along a small stand of old-growth Douglas firs.

The other two trail networks begin at separate locations across Cornell Road. One is directly across from the main lot and one is further west on Cornell Road. These destinations also contain steep grades with narrow sections and trail obstacles along the way. All trail networks are heavily forested with views of Balch Creek.

Accessible facilities off the main parking lot include the Wildlife Care Center, where you can meet Audubon's educational birds of prey; an interpretive center, with exhibits, a natural history library and places to watch birds; and one of the best nature stores in Portland. Classes and free talks are held throughout the year in their large meeting hall. A drinking fountain and accessible bathrooms are also located here.

Portland Audubon's field trips, outdoor classes and nature tours may not be fully accessible. Their tour vehicle does not have a wheelchair lift. Contact Portland Audubon directly to know if your activity of choice meets your desired experience.

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Visitor Center

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Uhtoff Sanctuary

Description

Click inset map for more information

Click here to learn about the detour until spring 2022, due to Cornell Road tunnel repairs.