Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area

Located near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is an oasis of wildness in industrial North Portland. The wildlife area is managed by Metro, a regional planning agency for the Portland metropolitan area. At nearly 2,000 acres it is the largest protected wetland within the limits of any American city. The Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is home to over 100 species of birds, including osprey, bald eagles, cormorants, egrets, horned owls, and red-tailed hawks, and, most notably, one of the largest remaining populations of the Western painted turtle. Visitors are surprised to see beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, muskrats, and mink in this area surrounded by a landfill, warehouses, and port terminals. The easily accessible Interlakes trail is just under a mile and provides access to two viewing platforms. Leisurely exploration by non-motorized boats is perhaps the best ways to experience the unique area. The Friends of Smith and Bybee Lakes sometimes offers guided canoe and kayak trips.