Man and wildlife coexist in a controlled natural environment.
Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is located some 24 miles north of
Klamath Falls, Oregon. Crater Lake National Park lies approximately 20
miles north of the refuge. The refuge is on the northwestern side of
Upper Klamath Lake.
Between mountain forest, creeks and lake.
Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, now comprising 14,966 acres of
swamp and open water, was established in 1928. At an elevation of slightly
above 4,000 feet, it lies in the shadow of the forested east base of of
the Cascade Mountains and is watered by mountain streams and
deep, clear springs.
There is much to do and much to see.
Popular recreation activities on Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
include fishing, wildlife observation, canoeing, photography, birding,
boating and waterfowl hunting.
The Pacific Flyway stops off at Upper Klamath NWR
In summer, mallards, pintails, cinnamon teal, Virginia rails, American
bitterns, wood ducks, grebes, and many other birds congregate here.
On the marsh is a rookery with double-crested cormorants, blue herons,
black-crowned night herons, white pelicans, grebes and common egrets.
Canoe trail through paradise found
The Refuge cooperates with the Forest Service to sign and maintain a
two loop canoe trail through the Klamath Marsh. About two-thirds of
the 8.5 mile canoe trail route is on Refuge waters, with the balance
on Forest Service property.
Forest & Flowers in a majestic landscape
Aspen, white fir, red fir, Douglas fir, and Ponderosa dominate steep
slope that come down to the spring waters. On open slopes pentstemons,
asters, paintbrushes, blue lupines, and other flowering plants add
dramatic color to the landscape.
A Bald Eagle nest along Recreation Creek
Several bald eagles live year-round in trees near the refuge.
Bald eagles can be seen coming and going to and from the marshes
and open water in search of food. They will also sit in trees
near the water’s edge, looking and listening.”… we saw eagles
everywhere… it was the closest we’d ever been to a
bald eagle and perhaps, to each other…” Sunset Magazine.
Step Back In Time
In the early 1900’s Pelican Bay Lodge, now known as Harriman Springs
Resort & Marina, Rocky Point Resort and Point Comfort Lodge, were
the gateway for travelers going to Crater Lake. Eating a fine meal
on the resort’s outdoor Terrace dining area, overlooking the marsh,
is time well spent.
Abundant diversity, textures, sounds and light
The season roll on through the marshes and open waters of Upper Klamath
National Wildlife Refuge. The star filled skies are celestial poetry
in motion, here the Milky Way shimmers in volume and brightness.
On the ground the rhythms of survival and regeneration run their course.
Listen to the marsh songs and a bald eagle diving at a fish.
Water, Marsh & Land
This view from Pelican Butte looks down on Upper Klamath National
Wildlife Refuge, Upper Klamath Lake and Pelican Bay’s mouth. Pelican Butte
is a snow mobile destination in the winter. In the summer it is the
big view of a remarkable land – north, east, south and west.
It is easy to see why here was called America’s Switzerland
Mt. McLoughlin, 9,495 ft., provides an enchanting backdrop for
resting sea gulls. Not that long ago steamboats came up this bay
with passengers and cargo.
We can all be one with an amazing world
Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is unique among the six
Basin refuges for its vast tule marsh, drowned stream channels outlined
with willow-lined banks rising above impounded waters, and coniferous
forests on steep mountain slopes along it’s western boundary.
Here are other locations near Harriman Springs Resort and Marina:
Behold the spectacular Crater Lake National Park
Visit the old west in Wood River Valley and Fort Klamath
Take a moment to relax at Mare’s Eggs Springs
For nature enthusiasts see Bird Habitats of the Region
Take a video tour of the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges
©2014 Anders Tomlinson, all rights reserved.