Facility Activities

At your local refuges, we celebrate that everyone experiences nature and the benefits of being outdoors in different ways. Staff strive to create outdoor experiences for those coming from many backgrounds, interests, and comfort levels. The following are wildlife-dependent activities that will help you explore the outdoors and experience your own personal connection to the natural world.

Wildlife is everywhere and practicing your observation skills at a refuge may help you find equally wonderful experiences just outside your own door. Even the parking lot can be full of life! Here are a few tips that can be used anywhere...

Guided Walks at Steigerwald Lake and Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuges

Volunteers make it possible to offer public naturalist-led walks about a variety of topics. The following opportunities are listed by walk leader and topic.

For questions and to sign up for...

Come join us on-site for an accessible way to get young people to interact with nature and wildlife. Our staff can lead nature walks and help students learn more about the natural world through engaging activities and refuge projects.

Self-Guided Activities, Guided Tours, and...
Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you’ll find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Wildlife photography is a priority public use on national wildlife refuges, so you’ll find wildlife drives and blinds and overlooks to help you get the images you’re after.

Biking is allowed on the Refuge River Trail only, which is accessed from Captain William Clark Park. Bike lock up areas are provided at the Main trailhead, the intersection between the Refuge River Trail and the Mountain View Trail, Red Tail Lake and where the Refuge River Trail intersects the...

Dog walking is allowed on the Refuge River Trail only, which is accessed from Captain William Clark Park. 

See our map for trail details on where you may take your dog and please share the trail. Pedestrians, horseback riders and biking are also permitted on the Refuge River Trail....