Hours & Directions

Refuge Updates

Visitation Information

There are two units of the Refuge you can visit, the River ‘S’ Unit, at 1071 S Hillhurst Rd. is where you can find the Auto Tour Route (driving route) and seasonal Kiwa Trail  (walking). The Carty Unit (walking), at 28908 NW Main Ave., is where you can find the Refuge Office, Cathlapotle Plankhouse, Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail, and the seasonal Carty Lake Trail. Closing times for the automated gate are posted on the gate at the refuge entrance. No pedestrian access allowed after dark.

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The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Administration Office is open Monday-Friday 9 AM – 3 PM. General inquiries M-F, 9 AM to 4:00 PM can be answered at 360-887-4106.

Cathlapotle Plankhouse (28908 NW Main Ave) Hours:
Closed until further notice

Note: Periodically, the refuge may be closed for scheduled maintenance or construction projects, or because weather conditions have created hazardous conditions. Look for updates on this and the Official Refuge website, or the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Facebook page (you do not need an account to view posts).

Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

The Friends can be contacted via email through the contact form below, and we will get back to you as soon as we can during regular business hours.

Seasonal Closures

The Kiwa trail on the River S’ Unit and Carty Trail accessed from the Port of Ridgefield are both closed October through April to limit disturbance to wintering waterfowl in those wetlands.  These trails reopen May 1st.

The Auto Tour Route is accessible by vehicle only October through April to reduce disturbance to wintering waterfowl that is caused by visible human presence. Please stay in your car except at the information booth and restrooms during this time.  This restriction is lifted May through September.

Please respect these closures as they allow both people and wildlife to use and enjoy the same areas while keeping to the conservation mission of the Refuge.

The Viewing Blind on the River S’ Unit (accessible halfway through the loop near the restrooms) is open year-round.

The Carty Unit Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail (starting where the nature pave ends) may be closed occasionally for trail maintenance and habitat restoration work. In the case of extreme weather, the trail will most likely be open (though then you visit at your own risk). If work is happening, there will be cones and signs indicating the closed part of the trail.

Entrance Fees & Passes

An important feature of Ridgefield’s recreation and entrance fee program allows 80% of the funds collected to remain at the Refuge to be used for recreation related expenses including brochures, signs, facilities enhancement, trail/road maintenance, restoration associated with wildlife-dependent recreation, and public safety.

Periodically, the refuge may be closed for scheduled maintenance or construction projects, or because weather conditions have caused refuge trails or the auto tour route to be unsafe for visitors.

Day Use Fee
There is a daily fee of $3.00 per passenger vehicle or motorcycle to enter the Carty and River “S” units. Please note that seasonal hiking restrictions apply on the River “S” unit beyond the entrance to the Refuge.

• NEW: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge now makes it easy for you to pay your entrance fee before you visit, using recreation.gov.

Refuge Passes
A Ridgefield NWR specific pass, valid for one year from the date of issue, may be purchased for $15.00 at the Refuge office at 28908 NW Main Ave in Ridgefield. You can also purchase a variety of other passes that grant you access to federal lands at the Refuge office. For a complete listing of federal passes available, visit the Ridgefield NWR website.

• NEW: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge now makes it easy for you to buy an annual pass before you visit, using recreation.gov.

Please make sure to fill out the GREEN Refuge Receipt card every time you visit the Refuge, both so you can be in compliance, but also so we can keep an accurate count of visitation.

For the Carty Unit, Refuge Office, Carty Lake Trail, and Cathlapotle Plankhouse:

Directions:

From Interstate 5 (both north and south) take Exit 14 for Pioneer Street/ Washington 501 W toward Ridgefield.

At the exit, (from the north) turn right for NW 269th/Pioneer Street.
At the exit, (from the south) turn left for NW 269th/Pioneer Street.

At the traffic circle, stay on NW 269th/Pioneer Street.

At the second traffic circle on NW 269th/Pioneer Street. Continue to follow Pioneer Street.

At Main Street, take a right. Continue on N Main for 1 mile.

Refuge Entrance will be on the left. Park in the lower lot and pay at the base of the pedestrian bridge (we do not accept the Discover Pass). Cross the pedestrian bridge to access the Carty Lake Trail (seasonal), Cathlapotle Plankhouse, and Oaks to Wetlands Trail.

Now you can walk there from downtown! When the Carty Lake Trail opens for the season in May, walkers will be able to complete a 4.8 mile loop through Downtown Ridgefield, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and the Port of Ridgefield. The loop will serve as a tour of the heart of Ridgefield and offers views of historic downtown buildings, Gee Creek, the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, Carty Lake, and Lake River. The Oaks-to-Wetlands Trail (starting where the nature pave ends) will be closed Thursdays, April 1st -October 1st, for trail maintenance and habitat restoration work. In the case of extreme weather, the trail will most likely be open (though then you visit at your own risk)- if work is happening, there will be cones and signs indicating the closed part of the trail.

For River S' Unit, Auto Tour Route, Kiwa Trail, and Hunter Check Station:

Physical Address: 1071 S Hillhurst Rd, Ridgefield WA 98642

Directions:

From Interstate 5 (both north and south) take Exit 14 for Pioneer Street/ Washington 501 W toward Ridgefield.

At the exit, (from the north) turn right for NW 269th/Pioneer Street.
At the exit, (from the south) turn left for NW 269th/Pioneer Street.

At the traffic circle stay on NW 269th/Pioneer Street.

At the second traffic circle stay on NW 269th/Pioneer Street. Continue to follow Pioneer Street.

At S 9th Ave to S Hillhurst Street, turn left. Continue on S Hillhurst Road.

Refuge Entrance will be on the right. The entrance road is a narrow downhill approach, across the bridge, now you have entered the Refuge. Park by the Contact Station to pay (the Refuge does not accept Discover Passes), then start the tour to access the Kiwa Trail (seasonal) and photo blind.

You can download printable maps for the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge walking trails, The Carty Unit and the Auto-Tour Route below.

Note: Access to certain areas of the Refuge is limited on a seasonal basis. River ‘S’ Unit visitors should check with Refuge personnel before attempting to enter any area not specifically designated as a public access area.

Refuge Map

River 'S' Unit Map

Oaks to Wetlands Trail Map

Visitor Facilities

Parking, information kiosks, and restroom facilities are located at both the Carty Unit and River S’ entrances. There is also an additional restroom facility located approximently half way around the Auto Tour Route at the Viewing Blind parking lot, which is open year-round.

Groups

Parking areas and Auto Tour Route is wide and tall enough to accommodate most buses and RVs. Pre-scheduled group tours are asked to check in with Refuge management to ensure that they are not conflicting with an already scheduled group. Assistance for schools and other educational groups may also be available. Please contact Josie Finley for more information at 360-887-4106 or Josie_Finley@fws.gov.