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.

Education programs
Guided Tours and classroom visits for Ridgefield and Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuges

School groups: We are excited to offer in-class programming for local 4th-grade classes to promote the National Every Kid in a Park Pass Program. We are...

Wildlife watching

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...

Ranger-led programs
Guided Walks at Steigerwald Lake and Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuges Birding with Ken Pitts at Steigerwald Lake NWR

Whether you are new to birding or have been watching them your whole life, Ken Pitts offers easy and interesting ways to learn about the amazing world...

Photography
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

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

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...