Come on-site for an accessible way to get young people to interact with nature and wildlife. Refuge staff and volunteers can lead nature walks and help students learn more about the natural world through engaging activities and service projects.
If you are coming on your own to the refuge, but want something to engage with while you are here, you can find self-guided activities for a variety of ages, at the bottom of this page, or in the Refuge Administration Building front office. These can be used individually, with families, or groups you are bringing to the refuge.
If you are bringing a larger group, please email the Refuge at RidgefieldEducation@fws.gov so we know you will be on-site, or so you can be alerted to closures.
Head to the USFWS Refuge page for current details about educational field trips to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
*Note: The Plankhouse is closed, except for Tribal Use ONLY at this time.
The Refuge has limited capacity for small tours and can accommodate a max of 20 people per trip. In order to can evaluate your needs, determine capacity, and hopefully schedule a time for your group to visit, please fill out the Refuge’s request form on their Education Program Page.
Please review this page for site and trail information.
Both Ridgefield and Steigerwald Lake have bathrooms by the parking areas, but not deeper in the refuge. Plan for your group to use the bathroom before coming or as they arrive. There are also opportunities to use the bathroom during lunch time or towards the end of your visit.
All trash you pack in, pack back out!
If you are planning to do a walking tour at Ridgefield NWR, this is the address for the Carty Unit where the visit will begin: 28908 NW Main Ave. Ridgefield, WA 98642
If you are taking a drive around the auto tour route at Ridgefield NWR, this is the address for the River S unit: 1071 S Hillhurst Rd. Ridgefield, WA 98642
If you are visiting at Steigerwald Lake NWR, this is the address for the trailhead where the visit will begin: 34301 Lewis and Clark Hwy, Washougal, WA 98671
Both sites have parking for buses and individual cars. Ridgefield has plenty of parking for individual cars in two parking lots shared with the public. Steigerwald Lake has a smaller parking lot that is also shared with the public, so carpooling is encouraged.
It is required that you visit the site beforehand. Whether that is meeting up with refuge staff on site or simply viewing it on your own time. Staff have found that if you are able to see the site beforehand, the logistics of the visit is able to happen much smoother. If they can coordinate a meet-up on site, it is also great to talk in person about what to expect and what you hope to gain from your visit. Refuge staff are all about building connections with people and would love for you to visit more than one time! If not, they understand limitations of scheduling, so you can visit on your own time and then talk on the phone with them later.
Dress for the occasion! Make sure to wear clothes comfortable for the outdoors, taking the weather into account (rain jackets for rainy weather, coats for colder weather, light clothes for the heat)
During the summer, make sure to bring water and sunscreen and properly enjoy the refuge without concern.
During the warmer months, be aware of ticks and mosquitos and take proper precautions.
Tick/Mosquito Precautions: Wear long sleeves and long pants. Lightweight material will keep you cooler and lighter colors will make ticks more visible. Use an EPA-registered insect repellent.
More from the CDC on preventing tick bites . More from the CDC on mosquitoes.
There is no place to wash hands on site or to provide water to large groups. Make sure your group has hand sanitizer and drinking water. On exceptionally hot days, the refuge can provide extra drinking water, so no one gets dehydrated! There is one water bottle filling station at Ridgefield in the administrative building if need arises.
Access to main trails on the refuge is wheelchair accessible. Translation services can be provided with a two-week ahead of time notice to give us time to coordinate translators. The Refuge is happy to troubleshoot or discuss any accommodations you may need to come to the site. We want everyone to be able enjoy the refuge, so please contact refuge staff so they can help!
If any of your questions remain unanswered, please feel free to contact RidgefieldEducation@fws.gov or 360-887-4106.
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Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (PK822). For more information, please visit the link below.
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