Encompassing McKay Reservoir and the lands immediately surrounding the reservoir, the 1,837-acre McKay Creek NWR is located about 5 miles south of Pendleton. At full pool, the reservoir covers about 1300 acres. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the dam and reservoir, while the US Fish and Wildlife Service manages the wildlife and wildlife habitat. The refuge is open to the public from March 1 to September 30. In addition, the southern half of the refuge is open to public access from October 1 through the end of the waterfowl hunting season, usually in late January. The refuge is closed to public access from the end of the waterfowl season through the end of February. A brochure that describes the refuge and contains a map is available at the refuge entrance. Visitors should pickup a brochure to see which areas of the refuge are open and closed to public access.　

Birding is best in spring and fall. Several species of waterfowl and other water birds can be seen from March through mid-May. Many species of songbirds use the refuge for breeding and during spring migration. Mudflats on the southeast side and southwest corner of the reservoir usually attract a large variety of shorebirds during the fall migration. Habitats on the refuge include dry grassland, riparian woodland, lake, and mudflats. The wide variety of habitats, situated in the arid landscape of northern Umatilla County, attracts numerous species of birds over the course of a year. The following list contains a total of 165 species of birds that have been reported from McKay Creek NWR.