Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

More than 5000 acres of marshes, grasslands and wooded areas are home to more than one hundred species of birds, waterfowl and fish. Two trails and a loop road provide public access to this serene area just a few miles west of I-5. Spring and fall are the best seasons to see migrating songbirds and shorebirds, but summer offers the additional attraction of the barrier-free Kiwa Loop Trail. Even in winter, there are plenty of birds to view.

Before starting your hike, be sure to pay your $3 entrance fee or display your Interagency or Golden Age pass. Then grab a brochure from the visitors center, as well as a printed map of the area.

The Oaks to Wetlands Trail is open year-round and provides a loop of up to two miles. You can also visit the Carty Trail, which stretches south, or the Kiwa Trail, a barrier-free trail open from May to September.

A plankhouse sits at the beginning of this trail, and piques hikers interest with its design. From here, a trail winds along the eastern edge of the estuary. Depending on the season, you can view sandhill cranes, songbirds, migrating Canadian geese, swans, hawks, and more at the Refuge. A viewpoint at the end of the trail offers a nice vista of the refuge, set under the shade of a giant old oak.

From here, the trail heads into old-growth, with a series of spur trails that loop back to the main trail, giving hikers plenty of opportunity to wander through lush greenery and birdsong.

One of the highlights of this trail is the towering old growth Oregon White oaks, but informational plaques set alongside the trail also point out viburnum, oregon grape, and a multitude of other native flora that flourish here.