Nothing says fun afternoon quite like visiting a sewage treatment facility. Have I sold it yet? Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove is one of Oregon’s most unlikely hidden gems. As I’ve been making my way to the birdwatching hotspots around Portland, I left this one for last because, well, the sewage treatment. In person, I promise that the ponds don’t look or smell like sewage. Instead, you’ll find well-maintained trails around duck-filled wetlands and trees where bald eagles perch. Here’s what to expect on a visit to Fernhill Wetlands.

Ring-necked ducks and gadwall swimming — *Ducks love Fernhill Wetlands*

Know before you go

Visiting Fernhill Wetlands is free.
It’s open all year. Visit from sunrise to sunset.
A vault toilet and covered picnic area are next to the parking lot.
Dogs and bikes are not allowed. A bike rack is in the parking lot.
Please do not feed the wildlife or remove anything.
Fernhill Wetlands isn’t a park. It’s a water treatment facility that allows public access. Stay on the trails and don’t go in the water.
More of Fernhill Wetlands is open to the public than you’ll see on All Trails. Use the facility’s visitor map for a reference instead. The maps and signage are also clear once you get there.

Things to do at Fernhill Wetlands

Three ducks swim in wetland area — *Mallards in Barney Wetlands from the Fernhill Lake Loop*

Fernhill Wetlands is a place for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife photography. It’s also a good spot for a picnic, and the covered shelter keeps the tables nice and dry on drizzly days. For me, the animals are the main draw. The hiking trails are pleasant and pretty, but don’t have the mind-blowing scenery of, say, the Columbia Gorge. The biggest drawback is road noise. The biggest appeal (besides the animals) is the many native plants, some of which were beginning to flower on my early March visit, like red flowering currant and Indian plum.

Hike options

You don’t have to hike to see animals in Fernhill Wetlands. The ponds next to the parking lot were full of ducks when I visited. From here, you can tackle one of several trails between 0.6 and 2 miles long. If you do them all, it’s about 4 miles of hiking. Here are the options.

Water Garden Loop

Two cinnamon teals swimming — *Cinnamon teals on the Water Garden Loop*

0.6 miles
Flat sidewalk trails (ADA-accessible)
Most ducks

Indian plum next to sidewalk — *Indian plum on the Water Garden Loop*

The Water Garden Loop is a short sidewalk trail that takes you past a few small, industrial-looking ponds. They’re part of the facility’s wetland research area. When I visited, it was a duck bonanza. Ring-necked ducks, cinnamon teals, mallards, northern shovelers, coots, and gadwalls were cruising around the ponds and sitting on the grassy banks. Canada geese and at least one nutria were there as well. The trail ends with a little loop around a more natural-looking pond that has footbridges and attractive landscaping. And, of course, more ducks.

Fern Lake Loop

Nutria grazing next to hiking trail — *Nutria on the Fern Lake Loop*

1-2 miles (loop with optional spurs)
Flat gravel trails with benches and covered shelters
Best overall wildlife watching
Prettiest trail

Gazebo on hiking trail — *Observation shelter on the Fern Lake Loop*

The Fern Lake Loop was my favorite trail at Fernhill Wetlands. It takes you away from the treatment facility buildings to a wetland area that looks like a park rather than a public utility. The trail makes a flat and gentle loop around Fernhill Marsh and Lake. Along the way are several benches and a couple of covered viewing shelters, which I appreciated when it started raining on me. This trail was fantastic for wildlife. Like the Water Garden Loop, ducks aplenty: northern pintails, wood ducks, mallards, northern shovelers, and green-winged teals. Besides ducks, I saw Canada geese, a bald eagle, hummingbirds, songbirds, and a gazillion nutria.

*Golden-crowned sparrow on the Fern Lake Loop*

At the far end of the Fern Lake Loop are two short spur trails. They take you past the cattail marsh and the promisingly-named Eagles Perch Marsh, which is where I saw the bald eagle and its giant nest. Both spurs end at gates.

Flowering trees along gravel trail — *Spur Trail next to Eagles Perch Marsh*

Dabbler’s Marsh Loop

2 miles
Wood chip and dirt trails, often muddy
The beginning is nicer than the end
Marked as closed to the public on All Trails (it’s not)

Wood footbridge along dirt trail — *Dabbler’s Marsh Loop*

I’d call the Dabbler’s Marsh Loop the lowest priority trail at Fernhill Wetlands. It starts in a lovely alder forest next to the marsh, where I heard many frogs croaking. The end was a bit underwhelming. It’s a loop around an open field with an industrial area on the other side. Animals here were few: a spotted towhee and a couple of sparrows. Don’t be discouraged if you see it on All Trails as private. Once you get there, public access is clearly allowed. Signs will direct you around the loop.

Wildlife at Fernhill Wetlands

Bald eagle perches on tree — *Bald eagle at Fernhill Wetlands*

Birdwatching is the highlight of a visit to Fernhill Wetlands. Herons, egrets, pelicans, waterfowl, raptors, hummingbirds, songbirds, and shorebirds visit the wetlands. Winter is the best time for ducks. I was pleased to see so many around in early March before they leave for the season. After many wetland visits recently, the cinnamon teals, green-winged teals, and gadwalls stood out as ducks I hadn’t seen in other places near Portland. Winter is also a good time to look for tundra swans and sparrow flocks. Ospreys visit in the summer. Bald eagles are around all year.

Six cinnamon teals — *Cinnamon teals at Fernhill Wetlands*

Besides birds, most of Fernhill’s animals seemed to be nutrias. After a while, I stopped photographing them out of concern for my cloud storage capacity. You might also spot squirrels, rabbits, deer, raccoons, muskrats, turtles, frogs, and garter snakes from Fernhill’s trails.

Post-hike explorations

Sparrow perches on reed in front of water — *Sparrow at Jackson Bottom Wetlands*

While you’re in Forest Grove, here are some cool spots you might want to check out after visiting Fernhill Wetlands:

Pruitt’s Farm Store is on a family farm just around the corner from Fernhill Wetlands. Look for the sign pointing the way from OR-47. The store sells local goods, including produce, jams, and gift items. Outside the store are cute farm animals.
McMenamin’s Grand Lodge is a quirky stop about 5 minutes away from Fernhill Wetlands. The former masonic lodge is now a hotel with a bar, restaurant, movie theater, and soaking pool.
Jackson Bottom Wetlands is another great birdwatching spot, about 15 minutes from Fernhill Wetlands. Easy trails take you past lakes and marshes that are great for spotting waterfowl, raptors, songbirds, and reptiles.
Henry Hagg Lake is a beautiful park about 15 minutes from Fernhill Wetlands that’s open from April through October. It’s a popular place for hiking, fishing, boating, and having a picnic by the water. A day-use parking pass is $7.

Getting there

Address: 1399 SW Fern Hill Rd, Forest Grove, OR 97116

The easiest way to reach Fernhill Wetlands is by car. It’s right off OR-47 in Forest Grove, Oregon. The parking lot is free.

If you’re using public transit, the TriMet bus #57 has a stop about a mile away.

Enjoy your day at Fernhill Wetlands!

With love,

Emma

Fernhill Wetlands: Trails and Wildlife

Know before you go

Things to do at Fernhill Wetlands