Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

What a fun hike! This refuge is absolutely beautiful! The trees are a MUST see! The colors are simply breathtaking this time of year, as you will see from my photos/videos.

We saw a variety of different birds by the lake when we first arrived, and although we didn't see as much wildlife as we would have liked to today, we definitely heard it! The sounds of birds, squirrels, and coyotes made for an adventurous hiking experience for sure!

If you have not been here...GO! You will not be disappointed. If you love being in nature around water and wildlife, you will love it here!

Do keep in mind that the gates close at 5pm since it gets dark so early now, so plan accordingly so that you can get the full experience. In fact, I think I will be returning tomorrow. There is so much more I want to see. 🦌

Beautiful place to have a peaceful time. Take binoculars with you, there’s many bird species, deers, swans, goose and colorful landscapes. Auto trail is cool, just follow instructions, stay in your car and don’t bother wildlife. Take your trash with you. We had the chance to see pink and water ferns in the creeks. Some trails may be closed for protection and conservation. Many birds migrate seasonally to this area.

Entrance fee is a 3bucks they have an envelope for people near by entry, they have a public restrooms. Please don’t bring your pets(dogs) they really focused wild animals in there. We walked around 2miles during we saw deers, snakes, hawks, Beavers and so many unique birds so they don’t want to Dogs are barking, chasing, hunting at them. So Do not Bring your dogs PLEASE. Beautiful nature today is weather awesome Ridgefield is a beautiful town and great neighbors, I like a small Ridgefield downtown. Very cute and beautiful place. Great walk place with Children, friends and family.

Such a beautiful, peaceful place to drive through on a rainy day! It must be awesome during the warm, sunny months! We saw many different kinds of wildlife. There were 100's of Swans!

This is a well kept park with a few walking paths, most of which are seasonal. The northern section is primary for walking. The southern section has a walking path but the highlight is a tour you take while driving your own car. I highly recommend the tour, during which you download an audio tour guide on your phone (or pop in a CD which you can borrow from the kiosk) and drive a loop around a lake. The audio tour talks about the animals and plants at different checkpoints along the route. Super simple and thoughtful. I will be going back in the summer when more of the paths are open.

Fall is the best time for shroom hunting . My daughter and I only found 1 edible species, but had fun discovering many new to us types. I love this trail year round. We saw lots of snakes, beautiful birds, and trees galore. The trail is super easy.

Wonderful rainy season, kid activity! I packed a car “picnic” lunch and had the bestest time bird/animal watching. My little one was sick, so it was a perfect way to quarantine and get some fresh air and nature time!

Such a fantastic place to spend time in nature!

My kids and I love to park at the Carty Unit entrance and walk the "Oaks to Wetlands Trail." It's an easy hike that's great for all ages.

On our most recent visit, we saw deer and lots of birds. We also enjoyed observing the gorgeous trees and spotted some cool mushrooms as well.

Fully newly renovated Wildlife Refuge Park that closes at 8:30 PM. Great place to take a long walk among Mother Nature and clear ones ahead. Beautiful nature all around among protected animals like ducks, deer, swans, bald eagle's, and more. A great place to walk and be a photographer.

Very fun and informative route through a beautiful nature reserve. Both the hiker only trail as well as the car only trail. For only 3$ a day!!

It's a unique place. I'm lucky to live nearby. $3 entrance fee is well worth it.

It was a cold early spring day but I was able to see so many different birds, and a muskrat too. You have to stay in your car unless you stop at the bird blind where there's a bathroom, or there is a 2 mile hike that's occasionally open. It's beautiful and depending on the weather your view becomes quite dramatic

Lots of birds (including swans). Easy and pretty loop drive (at south entrance). Not too busy on weekday evening. Couple mile loop walking trails.

Beautiful. We stopped on a whim. Pretty close to dusk/ closing time. Didn't have much time to explore, but we saw deer, squirrels and ducks and heard frogs calling and maybe geese? Definitely want to go back. Because we were there late in the day and on a Saturday, the visitors center was closed but there was a vault toilet (outhouse style restroom) in the parking lot. Not sure if it's ADA accessible but on the first part of the trail, a person in a wheelchair or walking with a cane COULD navigate the path, but might need help because of the incline.
I think I saw a sign that said pets were NOT allowed..

The 400 year old oaks are impressive. This refuge is extensive with lots of water fowl and common birds.

Excellent place for birding. The auto tour you drive around in your vehicle usually has quite a selection of wildlife to view.

It is so wonderful and refreshing to walk the trails and listen to the sounds of nature all around you.

I really enjoyed the trails here. They were nice and clear. It was interesting reading the signs that identified different plants. We saw some deer, a swan and some other wildlife. I wish they would have forewarned us that a trail we went on was going to be closed.

One of the many beautiful stops along I-5 between Portland and Seattle. I've been here so many times I don't know where to start. Now that they have connected the trails, it's an exceptional walk from downtown Ridgefield all the way to this location. I have rented kayaks and gone up and down the Columbia River, hiked every inch, enjoyed unexpected wildlife and met a few locals.

Beautiful spot to stroll along the waterway. Been there twice but still haven't gotten to do the full loop because of the same section of trail being closed both times (once for flooding, once for herbicide application). Still, there's a lot to see. The tundra swans were there last time. The huge oak trees are always there and worth seeing in themselves. There is a $3 per car day use fee, so bring some cash to stuff in the envelope. Also, the refuge has a 4-mile driving loop a few miles away that's supposed to be beautiful. It was about to close (gate said it closes at 4:30) when we got there, so couldn't check it out. Next time.