E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area
Rate this placeNearby: Hyak Park Bowers Rock State Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
The E.E.
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Summary
Wilson Wildlife Area is a 1,800-acre wildlife area located near Corvallis, Oregon. This area is open year-round and offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing.
One of the main reasons to visit this wildlife area is to see the diverse range of wildlife that call this area home. Visitors can spot over 200 bird species, including bald eagles, great blue herons, and waterfowl. The area is also home to mammals such as deer, beavers, river otters, and coyotes.
The E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area has several points of interest to see, such as the Fish Propagation Program, where visitors can learn about the breeding and rearing of fish for restoration purposes. There is also the Education Center, which offers exhibits and interactive displays about the local ecology, wildlife, and conservation efforts.
One interesting fact about the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area is that it was formerly a military training site during World War II. Today, visitors can still see remnants of the old military barracks and training facilities, which have been repurposed for conservation and education purposes.
The best time of year to visit the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area depends on the activity visitors have in mind. Spring and summer are great for hiking, fishing, and birdwatching, while fall is an excellent time for hunting and wildlife viewing. Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area offers a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the natural beauty and diversity of Oregon's wildlife.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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