Our Site
Is the tour outdoors?
Yes, our nature center is entirely outdoors, apart from our small gift shop. See the attached slideshow for a preview of our site.
We are open rain or shine all year round, so dress for the weather and the terrain. We recommend sturdy walking shoes and some layers to help you stay comfortable. Temperatures are usually 3-5 degrees cooler than in town.
Accessibility
Is your site wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, we have very limited wheelchair accessibility on our site due to the steep terrain. We are located on the site of Spencer Butte, where the grade varies from nearly flat to about 15 degrees. See slideshow above for a preview of our site. Our paths are all fine-grain gravel, most of it compacted.
Future growth plans include the creation of more accessible paths and parking, but this will take time, extensive renovation, and major fundraising. Please be patient with us as we work to improve our facility!
Can I bring my service animal?
Sorry, no other animals are permitted on our site, including service animals, as they can be very disruptive to our resident raptors. A panicked bird in an enclosed space can seriously injure itself trying to escape the sight of an unfamiliar animal. See here for our full service animal policy.
Programming
What time are the birds fed?
We do not have set feeding times, but if you would like to see our training staff working with birds (which involves feeding), we recommend visiting in the morning. Our feeding schedules change from day to day, as raptors’ appetites are unpredictable and we feed as part of our training work.
Do you do shows?
During our main program season (typically mid-March to mid-September), we do multiple raptor meet-and-greets each day. You can find today’s encounter schedule on the board outside our visitor center.
In the fall and winter, we do not have scheduled encounters but you can still see our trainers at work! Try visiting earlier in the day for the best view of staff working with birds.
Do you offer guided tours?
Yes, though these need to be scheduled in advance. Guided tours are booked separately from our general admission. We offer small private tours throughout the year (maximum group size 4 people), as well as a seasonal group tour series.
General Policies
Are photographs allowed?
Yes! Visitors are welcome to take as many pictures as they want, as long as they do not lean on aviaries. We recommend a camera with manual focus, as this is helpful for getting clear shots through the aviary screen.
Can I hold or feed a bird on my visit?
No, for your safety and that of the birds, we do not permit any direct physical interaction between visitors and raptors. You will, however, get a wonderfully intimate look at all our birds, far closer than you could in the wild.
Can I bring food and drink on site?
Yes! Our birds are not interested in your lunch (it’s not their kind of snack). We do ask that you please pack out your trash whenever possible. We are not able to safely provide an outside trash can on site, due to the presence of bears and yellowjackets.