Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge location and description

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately four miles south of Cheney, Washington and twenty miles southwest of Spokane. To access the Refuge leave the city of Cheney on the Cheney-Plaza Rd, driving south to the sign for Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge at South Smith Rd, turning left . The refuge encompasses 18,746 acres, of which approximately 2,300 acres are designated for public use.

The Refuge consists of four distinct habitats in the channeled scabland topography - forest, grassland, wetlands and riparian habitats. The diverse habitats at Turnbull make it a high quality site for breeding and migratory waterfowl. There is also a rich diversity of plants and other wildlife within the refuge. Visitors are encouraged to experience Turnbull via the five and a half mile auto tour route, stopping at the study sites for short walks. There are also many miles of hiking trails within the visitor use area. Use the map below, or ask for more information in the Refuge Administration Building.

Visiting the Refuge and Passes

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Forest Service also participate in the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass and Federal Recreational Lands Pass programs. These passes provide access to more than 2,000 national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, grasslands and other federal lands, which provide a wide variety of nature-based recreational opportunities for the American public.

4th Graders and families

In addition to the fee-free days, the nation’s fourth graders and their families can get one year free entry (from Septmeber 1 - Auigust 31) to all federal lands and waters through the Every Kid in a Park Initiative. Kids can get their vouchers online at https://www.everykidinapark.gov/. The vouchers can then be exchanged for a pass that provides free entry for the school year (9/1 - 8/31). Print and bring your voucher to the Refuge Administration building to exchange it for a pass.

Passes

• Free annual pass to current military members and their dependents.
• Free lifetime pass for people with permanent disabilities.
• $20 lifetime senior pass for those aged 62 and over.
• $25 Duck Stamp (available annually for purchase at National Wildlife Refuges, Post Offices, and some outdoor recreation outlets)
• $80 annual Interagency pass (includes national parks, Refuges, other federal lands) for the general public.
• $15 annual pass for Turnbull NWR, available from administrative office at Refuge.
• Free annual pass for volunteers who accrue 250 hours and who do not already have a valid interagency pass. Here is a link to find out about obtaining one of these passes.

Support Refuges and conservation by purchasing an Annual Duck Stamp. If you enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, bird-watching, nature photography, clean air and clean water; please consider buying at least one Duck Stamp every year. There is no limit to the number of stamps you can buy.