Visiting the Sanctuary

Nestled against Forest Park, five minutes from downtown Portland, is our 150-acre, free-to-the-public Nature Sanctuary, a showcase for native flora and fauna.  There are over four miles of forested hiking trails for you to enjoy year 'round, dawn to dusk every day (map).
Directions to Audubon Sanctuary

Sanctuary highlights include:

• The mixed conifer forest along Balch Creek has a lush understory of Vanilla Leaf, Fendler's Waterleaf, Swordfern, Western Trillium, Maidenhair Fern, Oregon Grape, Indian Plum, Salmonberry, and Stinging Nettle. Native Plant Interpretive Guide   Native Plant List

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  Junco - Mike Liskay

  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.

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  Western Painted Turtle - tammi miller

  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.

• Open 365 days per year, our Wildlife Care Center is the oldest and busiest wildlife rehabilitation center in Oregon.

Trail Map: Trails are open dawn to dusk every day