Visiting Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge reopened to the public in 2022 after years of restoration. Since it’s right next to Highway 14, it’s been easier to watch the progress. I’ve loved seeing the evolution of the land over the years as it returns from unlovely industrial dirt fields to wetlands and cottonwood groves. Today, hundreds of animal species visit the refuge. Flat and easy trails take you past duck-filled marshes and Mount Hood views on the way to the Columbia River. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Steigerwald Lake NWR.
I took this picture for the geese, then noticed the heron and ducks
Know before you go
It’s free to visit Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. You don’t need a permit to park.
The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset. A gate closes at sunset. A sign at the entrance has the closing time.
Dogs, horses, bikes, and jogging are not allowed, except on the Refuge River Trail. The parking lot has a bike rack.
Vault toilets are near the parking lot.
Steigerwald Lake NWR has very little shade and can be windy. Bring layers and water.
The trails through Steigerwald Lake NWR are wide and flat. Surfaces are crushed gravel and boardwalks. They don’t have steps. Grades are up to 5%. They have frequent benches.
Mountain View Trail
When to go
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a great year-round destination. A short portion of one of the hiking trails, the Wildlife Art Trail, closes from October through April to protect the birds. The rest of the refuge is open all year. I visited in winter and thought there was plenty to see during the seasonal closure. Note that some trails might flood in the spring.
Where to start
Mountain View Trailhead
Main start: Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge has a parking lot next to Highway 14. It’s the beginning of the Mountain View Trail and the main entry point for the refuge. Parking is free, and vault toilets are at the beginning of the trail. A sign next to the parking lot has a large park map and paper maps. Dogs and bikes are not allowed here. If you’re interested in birdwatching, it’s the best place to start.
35001 Lewis and Clark Hwy, Washougal, WA 98671
Alternate start (dog-friendly): You can access the trails at Steigerwald Lake NWR from Captain William Clark Park. Head to one of the parking lots on Index St in Washougal, WA, and walk east on the Refuge River Trail. Parking is free, and restrooms are available. You can bring dogs and bikes on the Refuge River Trail, but you won’t be able to do the other trails in the refuge.
3333 Index St, Washougal, WA 98671
Things to do in Steigerwald Lake NWR
Geese fly over the Mountain View Trail
Birds are the main attraction in Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The trails feel more like vehicles for birdwatching than hiking destinations. Bonus attractions are views of the Columbia River and, on clear days, Mount Hood. Given the limited tree cover, the birds are pretty easy to spot from a distance. It’s a good idea to bring binoculars since they tend to stay far from the trails. Photos will probably be unsatisfying unless you have a lot of zoom. I brought a 300mm lens, which was enough to prove there were birds around, but not much beyond that.
Ring-necked ducks and Canada geese in Steigerwald Lake
Trails
The trails through Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge are flat and well-maintained. If you do them all, it’s about 7 miles of distance and feels like a workout by the end. You don’t need to tackle all the trails to get the full experience. I saw the first birds from the parking lot, a flock of geese flying overhead. More sightings were about a quarter mile into the Mountain View Trail. In other words, do as much or as little hiking as you want. It’s a great place to wander.
Map at the Mountain View Trailhead
Mountain View Trail
Mount Hood (and geese) from the Mountain View Trail
Starts from the parking lot
2 miles (round-trip)
Year-round
No bikes, horses, or dogs allowed
The Mountain View Trail starts at the Steigerwald Lake NWR parking lot and connects to the Refuge River Trail along the Columbia River. It’s long, straight, and flat, with a crushed-gravel surface. You’ll have a great view of Steigerwald Lake and, on clear days, Mount Hood. When I visited, this trail was the best place in the refuge to see the trumpeter swans, Canada geese, mallards, shovelers, and coots.
Refuge River Trail
Mount Hood and Vista House from the Refuge River Trail
Starts at the end of the Mountain View Trail
4+ miles out and back (plus the Mountain View Trail to reach it)
Year-round
Dogs, horses, and bikes are allowed
The Refuge River Trail is a shared-use crushed gravel trail that follows the Columbia River. It’s popular with bikers and even gets some horseback riders, but it's wide enough for everyone to get around each other. On clear days, you’ll have many chances to see Mount Hood across the Columbia Gorge. Below it, look for the Vista House observatory perched on Crown Point. The trail has two footbridges across Gibbons Creek. A group of hooded mergansers was hanging out near the Lamprey Bridge when I visited.
Heading east, the trail dead ends at a gate. To the west, it connects to Captain William Clark Park, about a mile from Steigerwald Lake NWR. I thought the most interesting section was from the Mountain View Trail to the Lamprey Bridge, about 1.5 miles.
Wildlife Art Trail
Redtail Bridge along the Wildlife Art Trail
Starts from the Refuge River Trail
1.25 miles (plus another 1.5 miles, one-way, to reach it)
Partial closure from October through April
No dogs, horses, or bikes
The Wildlife Art Trail is a scenic detour along the Refuge River Trail. Surprisingly, there’s not much art, just lovely scenery. The crushed-gravel and boardwalk trail crosses a wetland area and cottonwood forest between Redtail Lake and Steigerwald Lake. Look for a Mount Hood sighting from the long and impressive Redtail Bridge. From October to May, gates block access to the closed portion of the trail. The rest of the year, you can use it to make a loop.
Hiking suggestions
Most birdwatching
If you don’t have a dog, take the Mountain View Trail to the Refuge River Trail, then take a left.
Follow the Refuge River Trail to the Wildlife Art Trail.
From May through September, make a loop around the Wildlife Art Trail, returning on the Refuge River Trail. From October through April, follow the Wildlife Art Trail until the closed part, then return to the Refuge River Trail to hike as an out-and-back, turning around at the Lamprey Bridge.
The distance is similar whether or not the loop is open. It’s about 4.5-5 miles total.
Dog friendly
If you have a dog, start at Captain William Clark Park and follow the Refuge River Trail east. It ends at a gate after about 3 miles. Return the way you came.
Short hike
You don’t need to walk a lot to enjoy Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. For a short hike, take the Mountain View Trail until it ends at the Columbia River. It’s 2 miles round-trip. Several benches along the way overlook the wetlands and the river.
Wildlife
Red-tailed hawk
A visit to Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is all about the animals, especially birds. People have reported sightings of over 200 species in the refuge. You can spot birds throughout the year, although what you see depends on the season. Spring and fall bring migratory species to the refuge. Sandhill cranes visit in the fall. Winter is the best time to look for waterfowl, like ring-necked ducks, scaups, coots, northern pintails, widgeons, Canada geese, and buffleheads. Watch the skies for raptors like red-tailed hawks and bald eagles. Summer is a good time to look for songbirds and reptiles.
Geese fly over Steigerwald Lake
Captain William Clark Park
Cottonwood Beach
One of the cool things about Washougal, Washington, is the shared-use trail that runs through town along the Columbia River. The eastern limit of the trail is in Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. It’s where the Refuge River Trail dead-ends at a gate. If, instead, you head west, you’ll reach Captain William Clark Park. From the end of the Mountain View Trail, it’s about a mile. The trail becomes paved and is renamed the Captain William Clark Trail. The park has covered picnic shelters, access to Cottonwood Beach, and a few replica kayaks in honor of Lewis and Clark’s visit. If you keep heading west, the trail continues along the river to downtown Washougal.
Getting there
Address: 35001 Lewis and Clark Hwy, Washougal, WA 98671
From Vancouver, WA, drive east on Highway 14 to Washougal. The parking lot for Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be on your right. The lot is unpaved but in good condition. It’s no problem for a low-clearance vehicle.
The drive from Portland takes about 30 minutes.
Explore nearby
Find more great birdwatching at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
