Dawson and Stowe Marsh Restoration Area/Smith River Road

Location

From the junction of Hwys 101 and 126 in Florence, go 20.6 miles south. From the junction of Highways 101 and 38 in Reedsport, go north on 101 about 0.8 miles to Lower Smith River Road. Go right on L. Smith River Road. As you cross the bridge coming out of Reedsport, there is a Double-crested Cormorant rookery just NW of the bridge. Go another 0.5 miles and you will see Stables Road. There are tidal ponds and mudflats here that can be very birdy during high tides. It’s worth checking this area at any tide. Back on the Smith River Road, watch for periodic mudflats that will hold gulls and shorebirds. Pull over and check them out as you work your way out to Stowe Marsh. Just before the old mill, there is a group of trees on the right where Band-tailed Pigeon are known to congregate. At 3.2 miles from Hwy 101, turn right on South Side Road and cross the bridge to Dawson and Stowe Marsh Restoration Area. Don’t forget to check out the town of Gardiner during high tide. Sometimes shorebirds rest at puddles and muddy areas here.