William L. Finley Wildlife Refuge
​Woodpecker Loop
Hike details:
Mileage: 1.25 mile loop w/ 110 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 32 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on nice weather weekends, low traffic otherwise
Highest elevation: 413 ft. Lowest elevation: 249 ft.
General location: 13 miles south of Corvallis - William L. Finley Wildlife Refuge
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is April for wildflowers and October for fall foliage).).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: NO DOGS! Dogs are not allowed at William Finley Wildlife Refuge
Possible dangers: N/A
Approximate hike time: 32 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on nice weather weekends, low traffic otherwise
Highest elevation: 413 ft. Lowest elevation: 249 ft.
General location: 13 miles south of Corvallis - William L. Finley Wildlife Refuge
Accessible: Year-round
(Best time to go is April for wildflowers and October for fall foliage).).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: NO DOGS! Dogs are not allowed at William Finley Wildlife Refuge
Possible dangers: N/A
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Description:William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964 with the primary goal to provide a habitat for the Dusky Canada goose to winter. During the winter months you will see geese, swans and many other birds as well as Roosevelt elk. If your goal is to see wildflowers, visiting in the spring (April and May) is the best. There are a plethora of trails and loops in the refuge, each featuring something different like vista views, wildflower meadows or marshes.
The Woodpecker Loop is short and sweet and very educational. It is a great one to take kids on for some awesome outdoor lessons about plants and animals. If you want to hike more miles and not have to drive to the next trailhead, this loop can be combined with the Mill Hill Loop via the 0.4 mile Intertie Trail. From the circular parking area walk 0.1 miles to a junction where the loop begins. Because there can be quite a few people on this loop, it is recommended to do it clockwise. The trail takes you through an oak forest with lots of different undergrowth. Throughout the loop there are a lot of little informational signs about what you are seeing in the forest. After 0.4 miles you will come to the Intertie Trail junction. If you are not combining the two loops, you will continue straight here. After another 0.1 miles you will cross a little creek via bridge and then you will see a small pond with a bench. Here you can spot ducks, tadpoles/frogs and salamanders. The trail enters a beautiful meadow, where in the month of May you can see a beautiful display of wildflowers blooming. After another 0.2 miles you will come a simple shelter. From here, on a clear day you can look out over the valley and see the Three |
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Sisters, Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood! Continue through the meadow for another 0.25 miles and then you will come back to the initial trail junction where the loop ends and you will take a left to get back to the parking area.
The Woodpecker Loop is not the most spectacular hike at William Finley Wildlife Refuge but it is the only trail where you can see the mountains and it is incredibly informative with all of the interpretive kiosks along the way. This is the perfect hike to do with small children who will have a blast running up and down this easy trail. Remember to be mindful of the Leave No Trace Principles and teach kids not to pick wildflowers. |
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Directions:
From Corvallis
- Drive on OR-99W/Pacific Hwy. W for a total of 9 miles, then turn right onto Finley Rd. for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Finley Refuge Rd. for another 2.2 miles, then turn right into the Woodpecker Loop Trailhead parking area. (Total of 13.1 miles)
- Take 6th Ave./OR-99 N for a total of 15.2 miles. Drive through Junction City and then turn left onto OR-99 W N/Pacific Hwy. W for 15.7 miles. Turn left onto Finley Rd. for 1.3 miles, then turn left onto Finley Refuge Rd. for another 2.2 miles, then turn right into the Woodpecker Loop Trailhead parking area. (Total of 34.6 miles)
- Total of 52.2 miles via Corvallis.
- Total of 96 miles via Corvallis.
- Total of 141 miles via Corvallis.
- Total of 203 miles via Eugene.
-This trail write-up was last updated May, 2023-
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.