Madras Area

1) Crooked River National Grasslands - DeLorme Pg 51 A-8

Location: This area lies south of madras and between Hwy 97 and Hwy 26.  There are many access roads that become quite rough close to Gray Butte; 1) North of Redmond on Hwy 97 turn off to east on Norris Ln, 2) South of Madras on Hwy 26 (just south of Rim Rock Springs) turn west on Ramms Rd, 3) to access Gray Butte and Squaw Hollow take Lone Pine Rd in the southern region and follow signs to the northwest to Squaw Hollow. 

Habitat and Birds: The flat “grasslands” is mostly Juniper forest and sagebrush lands.  On the slopes of Gray Butte there are some interesting springs where Lazuli Buntings can be found and migrant songbirds.  The flat areas have breeding Lark, Sage, Vesper and Brewers Sparrows.  Sage Thrashers are common and you can see Prairie Falcons, Golden Eagles, Gray Flycatchers and Loggerhead Shrikes in the summer.  In the winter look for Northern Shrike and winter raptors.

Best Times to Visit: Spring and summer.

(This area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Amenities:  Birding! Horse & car camping.  Campground has a restroom.

This spot deserves more attention from birders.  A nice loop is to start at Peter Ogden Wayside, continue through Hawk Alley, stop at Haystack Reservoir, continue to Cyrus Springs and end your day of birding with Rimrock Springs Wildlife Management Area.

2) Peter Ogden Wayside - DeLorme Pg 51 A-7

Best Times to Visit: Spring, summer and fall.

Habitat:  Gorge with Shear Cliffs

General Birds in Area: Cliff and Canyon birds

(This area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Key Species

White-throated Swift

Violet-green Swallow

Directions:  From Bend, drive north on Hwy 97.  It is near the Deschutes County and Jefferson County line.  Turn left at sign before you come to the new suspension bridge over the Crooked River.  This is a nice spot to stop and stretch your legs and peer over the side into the canyon.

Amenities:  Birding! Looking into the canyon - quite scenic and the wayside has nice, big, restrooms.

3) Haystack Reservoir - DeLorme Pg 51 A-7

Location: On Hwy 97, go south of Madras about 9 miles past the turnoff to Culver. Look for Jericho Lane. Take Jericho to the east and travel about a mile. Follow the signs to Haystack Reservoir on Haystack Dr. which is south of Jericho Lane.  .  It is approximately 35 miles from Bend to Haystack Reservoir.

Habitat and Birds:  Open water, willows and surrounding Juniper forest.  This is a local hotspot for shorebirds, ducks and grebes.  There are two good migrant songbird areas: to the south end of the western car park, and at the south end of the reservoir.  Bald Eagles are general present year round and the surrounding agricultural fields are good for winter raptors.

Amenities:  There is a nice campsite on the other side of the reservoir.  Birding, car camping, hiking, photography and boating.  Campsites with restrooms.

Best Times to Visit: Fall and winter.

4) Rim Rock Springs WMA- DeLorme Pg 51 A-8

Location: Rimrock Springs Wildlife Management area is located on Hwy 26 between Madras and Prineville. From Madras, travel south on Hwy 97 to the Jct of Hwy 26. Take 26 SE (follow the signs to Prineville). About 10 miles down this road is a wayside with bathrooms and a hiking trail to access the wildlife area. I would recommend traveling a mile further toward Prineville and looking for a dirt road called Ramms Rd. (this is sometimes labeled as Grizzly Rd on some maps). Take this road for ¾ of a mile and turn left on NFD Rd. 1270. This will take you to a parking area and better access to the wildlife area.

Habitat and Birds:  A series of reed fringed pools surrounded by juniper forest and sagebrush.  This is a good area for Ducks, Rails and Northern Harriers.  The open Juniper forest is home to many Brewers Sparrows and Mountain Bluebirds with Sage Sparrows and Sage Thrashers in the denser sagebrush.

(This area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

For more information contact:

Crooked River National Grassland

813 Southwest Highway 97

Madras, Oregon 97741

(541) 475-9272

5) Metolius, Culver, Crooked River Campground and surrounding farmlands DeLorme Pg 57 A-7

Best Times to Visit: Fall and Winter

Habitat:  Irrigation Ponds, Agricultural, and Deciduous Trees.

General Birds in Area: Raptors and Sparrows.

(Part of this area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Directions:  Crooked River Campground is on the way to Lake Billy Chinook right before you start down the steep hill and on the left.  The tiny towns of Metolius and Culver are north of Bend on Hwy 97 and south of Madras.

Amenities:  Birding, photography. 

6) Madras Sewage Lagoons- DeLorme Pg 57 A-7

Location:  From downtown Madras, turn east on “C” St. and follow it out of town. This road becomes SE Grizzly Rd. and will pass right next to the sewer ponds. There is no access to these ponds but they can easily be viewed from the road.

Habitat and Birds: Many ducks are attracted here in the winter.  Low numbers of shorebirds pass through during the migration periods

7) Lake Billy Chinook- DeLorme Pg 57 D-6

Location:  From Madras, travel south about 8 miles on Hwy 97. Turn west on SW Iris Drive and travel about 4 miles through the town of Culver until Iris dead ends at Feather Dr. Turn north on Feather and take it several miles following the signs to Cove Palisades State Park. Turn west on Frazier Dr. and turn west at the Cove Palisades Store. Follow the signs to Lake Billy Chinook.

Perry South Campground.  From Sisters, drive west on Hwy 20/126 and turn right, (north), on Road 11, to Road 1170, and turn left on to Road 64. It is near the mouth of the Metolius River where it flows into Lake Billy Chinook.  A beautiful campground with large Ponderosa Trees, boat ramp, scenic setting.  Fly Lake: From Sisters, drive west on Hwy 20/126 and turn right, north, on Road 11, to Road 1170, and turn right on to Road 64.  It is on the corner of Road 64 and Graham Road; you will have to look closely for Road #016.  It is a 4Wheel Drive road, but is only about two blocks or less, so you could park and walk to Fly Lake.

Amenities:  Perry South Campground has birding, car camping, hiking, picnicking, photography and a boat launch.  Campsites with restrooms.  Lake Billy Chinook is a resort area and has multiple amenities.  Birding, picnicking, boat launch, kayaking, marina, boat rentals, supplies, swimming, flush toilets, camp store, cabins for rent, etc.

Habitat and Birds:  Large open water body surrounded by steep cliffs and juniper scrub.  This reservoir rarely freezes and often holds Ducks, Grebes and Common Loon.  Often large numbers of Gulls are attracted to the boat ramp at the Cove Palisades State Park.  At the same location it is possible to see Chukka on the cliffs and Canyon Wren.  There are several car parks that give access to the water.  Often these hold interesting birds, especially in the migration periods and winter (often Yellow rumped Warbler and Varied Thrush can be found in the winter).

Best Times to Visit: Spring, Fall & Winter.

(Part of this area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Amenities:  Perry South Campground has birding, car camping, hiking, picnicking, photography and a boat launch.  Campsites with restrooms.  Lake Billy Chinook is a resort area and has multiple amenities.  Birding, picnicking, boat launch, kayaking, marina, boat rentals, supplies, swimming, flush toilets, camp store, cabins for rent, etc.

8) Pelton Dam Overlook area/Warm Springs Museum and

Dry Creek Recreation Area - DeLorme Pg 71 C-7

Best Times to Visit: Spring, Fall & Winter

Habitat:  Deep Water, Mud Flats, and Agricultural Fields

General Birds in Area: Waterfowl, Raptors, Passerines and Sparrows

Directions:  Bend to Lake Simtustus is approximately 53 miles.  Hwy 97 Madras, North on Hwy 26, turn right on Pelton Dam Road, follow signs to overlook.  To Dry Creek: North on Hwy 26 past Warm Springs Museum, turn right, west, on Agency Hot Springs Road to Dry Creek Road.

Amenities:  Birding! There is camping at Dry Creek Recreation Area and photography.  The Warm Springs Museum is a must see and a great place to have a picnic.

Pelton Dam is a large water area surrounded by riparian woodland with some mud flats.  It holds much wildfowl in season.  The surrounding area holds Mountain Quail and Chukka.  In the summer Herons nest and there is an impressive Turkey Vulture roost.  In winter there is always large sparrow flocks near the car park.