National Wildlife Refuge Klamath Marsh
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
National Wildlife Refuge Klamath Marsh is located in southern Oregon and covers over 40,000 acres of wetlands, meadows, and forests.
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Summary
It was established in 1958 to provide habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.
Visitors to the refuge can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The area is home to a diverse range of wildlife including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, and otters.
One of the main points of interest at the refuge is the Klamath Marsh Observation Deck, which overlooks the marsh and provides a great viewing spot for waterfowl and other birds. There are also several hiking trails that offer visitors the chance to explore the diverse habitats of the refuge.
Interesting facts about the refuge include that it is home to one of the largest heron rookeries in Oregon, and it was once used as a hunting ground by the Klamath and Modoc tribes.
The best time to visit the refuge is during the spring and fall when migratory birds are passing through. However, visitors can enjoy the area year-round with different wildlife and scenery in each season.
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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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