Bring your binoculars, boots or small boat to Beaver Creek. This new park offers paddling, bird watching, walks in the marshland and hiking in upland meadows. Put in your kayak or canoe at the Ona Beach launch. The two-mile paddle meanders up the Beaver Creek valley with views of the surrounding Sitka spruce and alder forested hills. Look for beaver, river otter, muskrat and nutria. If you’re lucky, you may see a Roosevelt elk or black-tailed deer.
Follow the trail from the Visitor Center parking area across the marsh. Several miles of trails take off from the small bridge that crosses Beaver Creek.
2011 Beaver Creek Bird Count Join us each weekend for a bird census. Park Ranger Brian Fowler is the census coordinator. Call or e-mail him for more information, 541-563-6413.
Vital Stats Visitor Center hours 12-4 p.m. daily. The upland trails are open when the water is low and hikers can cross on the marsh trail. Beaver Creek paddling is open year-round.
Kayak Tours starting at Ona Beach Kayak tours are offered starting July 4 Thru Labor Day weekend. No experience necessary. South Beach State Park supplies the kayaks, paddles, lifejackets (PFDs), and interpretive host guides. Minimum age is 6. Paddlers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. $15 per person (subject to change). All trips start at the Hospitality Center at South Beach State Park. All trips include about 2 hours of paddling. Reservations strongly recommended. Reservations can be made beginning June 1, 2010 by calling the Hospitality Center at 541-867-6590 or by visiting in person.
