About South Slough Reserve

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Trails, Facilities, and Programming During COVID-19

South Slough Reserve trails and waterways are open. Restrooms are open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Reserve Visitor Center remains closed and most programs, field trips, events, and meetings have been cancelled until further notice. Limited programming for adults and children is available. Learn more.

South Slough Reserve Hidden Creek Trail Temporarily Closed April 19-22

Damaged Bridge to Be Replaced

The South Slough Reserve is replacing a bridge on its popular Hidden Creek Trail following damage to the existing structure. The new bridge is a 16-foot custom-built aluminum bridge with a permeable, non-slip surface, designed for long-term durability and protection of the creek and riparian habitats. For everyone’s safety, the Hidden Creek Trail will be closed from April 19-22 while the work is being completed to install the new bridge. The Reserve appreciates visitors’ patience during this brief closure.

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Upcoming classes and events

South Slough Reserve

The South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (South Slough Reserve) manages nearly 7,000 acres of natural areas along the Coos estuary on the south coast of Oregon. The Reserve was designated in 1974 as the first unit of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS), a network of estuary habitats protected and managed for the purposes of long-term research, education, and coastal stewardship.

Established by Congress in 1972 as part of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), the NERRS is administered as a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the coastal states. In Oregon, the South Slough Reserve is affiliated with both NOAA and the Oregon Department of State Lands. The Reserve's immediate governing body is the South Slough NERR Management Commission whose members are appointed by the Governor of Oregon.

The South Slough Reserve encompasses a mixture of open water channels, tidal and freshwater wetlands, riparian areas and forested uplands. The reserve supports and coordinates research, education and stewardship programs that serve to enhance a scientific and public understanding of estuaries and contribute to improved estuarine management. Since 1974, South Slough Reserve has grown in the depth and scope of its programs and has developed facilities to meet the needs of visitors and staff.