Visiting Ridgefield NWR

When is the refuge open?

As a reminder, closing times are posted on the automatic gates at the refuge entrances. Should you be locked in behind the gate, you may call the Ridgefield Police Department or dial 911 non-emergency and a police unit will be dispatched to your location.

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. Look for updates on this website or Contact Us.

How much does it cost to enter the refuge?

The entrance fee to the Refuge is $3.00 per vehilcle.

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What can I do at the refuge?

'RVS' - Drive the Auto Tour Route - The auto tour route is a one-way 4.2-mile loop graveled road (the first mile of the road is a two-way) . It is open daily to vehicles during daylight hours. In addition to vehicles, it is open to foot traffic between May 1 and September 30 only.

At times the auto tour route can be busy. Please be a courteous driver and use the turnouts provided to allow traffic to flow. Always observe the posted speed limit and all refuge signs. The roadway is maintained to meet the standards for regular passenger vehicles and for school buses and RV's. If you are unsure about current road conditions and have a large or oversized vehicle, please Contact Us for more information. Off-road or ATV driving is not permitted on the refuge.

'RVS' - Walk the Seasonal Trail - The Kiwa Trail is a 1.2-mile loop trail open May 1 through September 30. It is the only walking trail available on this unit. The path is compacted gravel accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The trail passes through an understory of Oregon ash trees and between open wetland areas. Between May 1 and September 30 only, visitors may also walk the auto tour route.

'RVS' - Hunt Waterfowl - An area for waterfowl hunting (ducks, geese and coots) has been designated on this unit and is open by permit only during the regular state waterfowl hunt season. For more information, go to the Waterfowl Hunt Program section of this website. The refuge is not open to deer or any other type of hunting.

'RVS' - Fishing - On this refuge unit, fishing is allowed only in Lake River and not in any of the refuge ponds, ditches, or sloughs. Visitors wishing to fish on this unit must park at the entrance parking lot and restroom area next to the visitor contact station then walk down the side of the levy to reach the banks of Lake River. There are no fishing piers or launch facilities for motorized or non-motorized boats located on this unit of the refuge. Frogging is not allowed anywhere on the refuge.

'RVS' - View Wildlife at an Observation Blind - An observation blind overlooking Rest Lake is located close to the half-way point on the auto tour route just before arriving at the Kiwa Trail parking lot. This shelter is covered by a stand of Oregon ash trees and has cut-out windows where spotting scopes and cameras can be set up for close up views of wildlife.

'CAR' - Walk a Year-round Trail - The Carty Unit is open daily to foot traffic only during daylight hours. It is the location of the 2-mile Oaks to Wetlands loop trail. Although maintained, this trail is undeveloped. Many parts of the trail are uneven, rocky, steep, narrow, and may become slippery when wet. Sturdy shoes should be worn and caution should be used to avoid contacting poison oak on some parts of the trail.

Visitors fishing on this unit of the refuge are reminded not to litter or leave fishing line or other materials behind. They are a hazard to wildlife. Fishermen should be careful to tread lightly on the refuge and pack out what is brought in.

'CAR' - Visitor Facilities - Located near the parking lot is an information kiosk with a refuge map posted and information dispenser boxes.

'RPD' - Trails - None. Walking trails or foot access onto refuge property is not allowed on this unit.

'RPD' - Auto Tour Route - Access to this unit is from the City of Vancouver (Port of Vancouver area via Fourth Plain Blvd.). Autos may be driven to the end of Lower River Road which terminates at this unit of the refuge. Three turnouts and parking areas are available for wildlife observation and for photographic opportunities.

'RPD' - Visitor Facilities - None. The nearest comfort facility (vault toilet) is located on Lower River Road approximately 3 miles before the refuge entrance at the Shillapoo State Wildlife Area parking lot. No picnic facilities are located on the refuge but are available at the nearby Vancouver Lake County Park.

Dogs and other pets are not allowed on the refuge since they are considered to be predators and a threat to most wildlife. Dogs and other pets brought to the refuge for a drive on the auto tour route must remain inside the vehicle while on the refuge and should not be allowed to disturb or harass wildlife.

Releasing unwanted pets and 'rescued' animals onto the refuge is not allowed and is considered a health risk or threat to wildlife and their habitats. Please contact the refuge office if you need assistance with these matters.

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What else is not allowed on the refuge and why?

Horseback riding, bicycling, jogging, camping and any other uses not specifically mentioned are not allowed on the refuge. Why? These uses are considered non-wildlife dependent and non-priority public uses for National Wildlife Refuges. Since refuges are different than parks and other areas of recreation, public uses on refuges are usually not allowed if their primary purpose is for something other than an activity related to wildlife or is found to be incompatible with the purposes of the refuge. Although many refuges are great places to experience the outdoors, wildlife is first.

Remember that all things on the refuge are protected from the tiniest of feathers to the wildflowers, rocks, plants, animals, and other 'collectibles'. Please take only photos and memories with you. Removing these things and others such as archaeological artifacts is not allowed and is considered very serious.

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What should I bring?

Approrpiate Dress - If you plan to take advantage of the outdoor recreation opportunities on the refuge, please take the time to prepare and dress appropriately for the weather. If walking the trails, wear good walking shoes or hiking boots. Some times of the year, rubber boots and an umbrella are very handy.

Complex Home Page Ridgefield NWR Refuge Map Visiting the Refuge Hours Costs What can I do on the refuge? River 'S' Unit Carty Unit Ridgeport Dairy Unit Dogs/Pets Other Uses What should I bring? Cultural Resources Waterfowl Hunt Program Environmental Education Special Events, Programs & Refuge News Contact Us Autos on the 4.2-mile tour route on the River 'S' Unit. Birders on the Kiwa Trail. Waterfowl hunters in pitblinds. American goldfinch. (c) Jim Cruce. Duck Lake on the Carty Unit's Oaks to Wetlands Trail. Northern harrier. (c) Jim Cruce	Visiting Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge *Special Notice - As of July 2004, sections of Lower River Road have collapsed making access to the Ridgeport Dairy Unit of the Refuge impossible. Service, county, and state officials are working together to determine what actions are going to be necessary for the repairs. Please keep checking with us for updates and more information.
	When is the refuge open? As a reminder, closing times are posted on the automatic gates at the refuge entrances. Should you be locked in behind the gate, you may call the Ridgefield Police Department or dial 911 non-emergency and a police unit will be dispatched to your location. 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. Look for updates on this website or Contact Us.
	How much does it cost to enter the refuge? The entrance fee to the Refuge is $3.00 per vehilcle. Top
	What can I do at the refuge? River 'S' Unit - 'RVS' 'RVS' - Drive the Auto Tour Route - The auto tour route is a one-way 4.2-mile loop graveled road (the first mile of the road is a two-way) . It is open daily to vehicles during daylight hours. In addition to vehicles, it is open to foot traffic between May 1 and September 30 only. At times the auto tour route can be busy. Please be a courteous driver and use the turnouts provided to allow traffic to flow. Always observe the posted speed limit and all refuge signs. The roadway is maintained to meet the standards for regular passenger vehicles and for school buses and RV's. If you are unsure about current road conditions and have a large or oversized vehicle, please Contact Us for more information. Off-road or ATV driving is not permitted on the refuge. 'RVS' - Walk the Seasonal Trail - The Kiwa Trail is a 1.2-mile loop trail open May 1 through September 30. It is the only walking trail available on this unit. The path is compacted gravel accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The trail passes through an understory of Oregon ash trees and between open wetland areas. Between May 1 and September 30 only, visitors may also walk the auto tour route. 'RVS' - Hunt Waterfowl - An area for waterfowl hunting (ducks, geese and coots) has been designated on this unit and is open by permit only during the regular state waterfowl hunt season. For more information, go to the Waterfowl Hunt Program section of this website. The refuge is not open to deer or any other type of hunting. 'RVS' - Fishing - On this refuge unit, fishing is allowed only in Lake River and not in any of the refuge ponds, ditches, or sloughs. Visitors wishing to fish on this unit must park at the entrance parking lot and restroom area next to the visitor contact station then walk down the side of the levy to reach the banks of Lake River. There are no fishing piers or launch facilities for motorized or non-motorized boats located on this unit of the refuge. Frogging is not allowed anywhere on the refuge. 'RVS' - View Wildlife at an Observation Blind - An observation blind overlooking Rest Lake is located close to the half-way point on the auto tour route just before arriving at the Kiwa Trail parking lot. This shelter is covered by a stand of Oregon ash trees and has cut-out windows where spotting scopes and cameras can be set up for close up views of wildlife. 'RVS' - Other Visitor Facilities - Stop by the visitor contact station at the entrance and pick up a brochure, map, or wildlife check list. Volunteers staff the station both during the week and on the weekends. If they are not there, pick up information from the dispenser boxes outside. There are two vault restrooms located at the entrance of the unit at the visitor contact station. An additional vault restroom is located at the observation blind. There are no drinking fountains available on the refuge nor picnic areas. Top Carty Unit - 'CAR' 'CAR' - Walk a Year-round Trail - The Carty Unit is open daily to foot traffic only during daylight hours. It is the location of the 2-mile Oaks to Wetlands loop trail. Although maintained, this trail is undeveloped. Many parts of the trail are uneven, rocky, steep, narrow, and may become slippery when wet. Sturdy shoes should be worn and caution should be used to avoid contacting poison oak on some parts of the trail. 'CAR' - Fishing - Fishing is allowed in wetland areas located along the Oaks to Wetlands trail and in Gee Creek. There are no piers or launch facilities for motorized or non-motorized boats on the refuge. Frogging is not allowed anywhere on the refuge. Visitors fishing on this unit of the refuge are reminded not to litter or leave fishing line or other materials behind. They are a hazard to wildlife. Fishermen should be careful to tread lightly on the refuge and pack out what is brought in. 'CAR' - Visitor Facilities - Located near the parking lot is an information kiosk with a refuge map posted and information dispenser boxes. There are two vault restrooms located at the parking lot of the unit. None are located on the trail. There are no drinking fountains available on the refuge nor picnic areas. 'CAR' - Proposed Visitor Center - The Carty Unit is the future site of the Ridgefield NWR Natural and Cultural Heritage Center (Heritage Center). Proposed facilities include a new parking area, information kiosk, visitor center, classrooms, and the headquarters office for the refuge complex. In addition, there are plans to build an outdoor education and wildlife observation shelter, and provide accessible trail and outdoor interpretive facilities. Top As of July 2004, sections of Lower River Road have collapsed making access to the Ridgeport Dairy Unit of the Refuge impossible. Service, county, and state officials are working together to determine what actions are going to be necessary for the repairs. Please keep checking with us for updates and more information. Ridgeport Dairy Unit - 'RPD' 'RPD' - Trails - None. Walking trails or foot access onto refuge property is not allowed on this unit. 'RPD' - Auto Tour Route - Access to this unit is from the City of Vancouver (Port of Vancouver area via Fourth Plain Blvd.). Autos may be driven to the end of Lower River Road which terminates at this unit of the refuge. Three turnouts and parking areas are available for wildlife observation and for photographic opportunities. 'RPD' - Hunting - None. 'RPD' - Fishing - None. 'RPD' - Visitor Facilities - None. The nearest comfort facility (vault toilet) is located on Lower River Road approximately 3 miles before the refuge entrance at the Shillapoo State Wildlife Area parking lot. No picnic facilities are located on the refuge but are available at the nearby Vancouver Lake County Park. Top
	May I bring my dog to the refuge? Dogs and other pets are not allowed on the refuge since they are considered to be predators and a threat to most wildlife. Dogs and other pets brought to the refuge for a drive on the auto tour route must remain inside the vehicle while on the refuge and should not be allowed to disturb or harass wildlife. Releasing unwanted pets and 'rescued' animals onto the refuge is not allowed and is considered a health risk or threat to wildlife and their habitats. Please contact the refuge office if you need assistance with these matters. Top
	What else is not allowed on the refuge and why? Horseback riding, bicycling, jogging, camping and any other uses not specifically mentioned are not allowed on the refuge. Why? These uses are considered non-wildlife dependent and non-priority public uses for National Wildlife Refuges. Since refuges are different than parks and other areas of recreation, public uses on refuges are usually not allowed if their primary purpose is for something other than an activity related to wildlife or is found to be incompatible with the purposes of the refuge. Although many refuges are great places to experience the outdoors, wildlife is first. Remember that all things on the refuge are protected from the tiniest of feathers to the wildflowers, rocks, plants, animals, and other 'collectibles'. Please take only photos and memories with you. Removing these things and others such as archaeological artifacts is not allowed and is considered very serious. Top
	What should I bring? Approrpiate Dress - If you plan to take advantage of the outdoor recreation opportunities on the refuge, please take the time to prepare and dress appropriately for the weather. If walking the trails, wear good walking shoes or hiking boots. Some times of the year, rubber boots and an umbrella are very handy. Binoculars and Field Guides - Since wildlife is often viewed from a distance, it helps to have a good pair of field glasses to bring the creatures up close. Enhance your experience by bringing along a field guide and learn about the wildlife or plants you observe. Food and Water - If you plan to spend a longer period of time on the refuge or during mealtime, bring along a snack or pack a lunch and some water. There are no garbage cans on the refuge, so please pack your trash out with you. Camera - Record your memories with a camera and share them with others. Top