Trips on the BMT:
Wenaha State Wildlife Area
Wenaha State Wildlife ARea - Driving Trip
Directly west of Troy, Oregon, along Eden Bench above the Grande Ronde Wenaha Rivers, visit the Wenaha State Wildlife Area. It is accessible from alternate sections of the Blue Mountains Trail. The various parcels of land that make up the wildlife area are administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
the stats:
Recreation type: Vehicle/ADA or road walk from Troy
Duration: 1-4 hours
Time of year: April to June for best wildlife viewing
Physical difficulty: Easy
Logistical difficulty: Easy
Permits required: None
Planning links:
Wildlife Area access point: Eden Lane - Google Maps link — ODFW Visitors Guide
Nearby town guide: Troy
Local Administrative Office: Wenaha Wildlife Area, 85060 Grande Ronde Rd, Enterprise, OR 97828 - 541-828-7721
Weather forecast at Wenaha State Wildlife Area: National Weather Service
Trip description:
The Wenaha State Wildlife Area covers over 12,000 acres on mutliple land parcels to the west of Troy, Oregon. The largest occupies the north slope above the Grande Ronde River on Eden Bench, and smaller parcels overlook the Wenaha River. Together these sites are home to many species of migrating birds, mule deer and elk, bobcats, black bears, and it is even designated as moose habitat. The best time of year to visit is during the spring migration when the area's bird population swells.
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The wildlife area was initially designated in 1953 to reduce conflicts between elk and ranchers. It has tripled in size since then, and under the management of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, it is open to visitation year-round. All recreation activities, including hunting and fishing during their respective seasons, are allowed in the area. However, it remains a popular destination for bird watching and wildlife viewing.
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While there are limited trails in the Wenaha State Wildlife Area, a few gravel roads wind through the larger parcels. The Blue Mountains Trail crosses a small section of the wildlife area west of Troy along the Wenaha River, and the alternate section to bypass high river flows on the Wenaha leads up the grade to Eden Bench and through a longer stretch of the designated lands.
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The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a Visitors Guide webpage with information on the Wenaha State Wildlife Area and additional resources. Specific rules on activities permitted in the wildlife area are available in the Wenaha State Wildlife Area Management Plan last updated in 2007.
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maps:
Download:
Full guide with hiking map (5 pages, 10.4 mb)
Map only (3 pages, 8.4 mb)
GPX map (174 kb)
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Before and After in Troy
Troy is a very small unincorporated community located at the confluence of the Grande Ronde and Wenaha Rivers, just a few miles south of the Oregon-Washington border. It has a population of 25 people according to the most recent U.S. Census. The surrounding farms along Eden Bench and Flora to the east offer a some idea of the settler lifestyle over 150 years ago. Journeys into the surround canyons along the Blue Mountains Trail provides a view of the lands that have been occupied and stewarded by indigenous peoples since time immemorial.
Troy serves as the takeout point for people enjoying the Grande Ronde River for boating and fishing. Outside of the peak season, the few amenities in town are closed for much of the week.​
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The Troy Resort and the Wenaha Bar and Grill operate from Thursday through Sunday. Notably, both establishments only accept cash. They provide a comfortable place to stay and an opportunity to have some food and beverages. Troy Resort also offers use of their showers and/or laundromat for a small fee. There are a couple of vacation rentals that can sleep 6 or 7 people in Troy, as well as a small rustic campground with a vault toilet just out of town in the Wenaha State Wildlife Area.
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