Gee Creek Trail

Ridgefield is home to an expansive trail network showing off our natural resources and wildlife. Read on to learn more about the Gee Creek Trail, one of the main trail segments in this network.

Access the full Ridgefield trails map (PDF).

The Gee Creek Trail is a major trail in the Ridgefield trail network (pictured left). It stretches from Heron Drive in the north, to the Osprey Pointe neighborhood to the south. The trail follows Gee Creek and effectively provides a north-south trail connection through the west end of city. A variety of trail surfaces can be found along the trail.Gee Creek Trail Isolated with Key

Gee Creek Trail is a vital component of Ridgefield's interconnected park, trail, and greenway system.

Gee Creek is a 4th order tributary to the Columbia River. The creek is named for William Gee, an early pioneer upon whose land the stream arose. The lowest segment of Gee Creek meanders for three miles through the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge before reaching the Columbia River.



Trail Development


Current and Future Projects

  1. 2022-2026: Extension from Heron Drive to Main Avenue, North Segment

A northern segment of the Trail, following the creek through to Main Avenue, is planned to be completed thanks to funding through a Federal Lands Access Program grant. This segment will connect Abrams Park, Union Ridge Elementary, and all other locations along the trail to the wildlife refuge. This is the final critical piece to connect a long-envisioned trail that connects built environment with the natural environment.

The Gee Creek Trail is a critical piece of the City of Ridgefield's planned multimodal network. This project, between Heron Drive and Main Avenue, is the last segment needed to complete the trail corridor. The project is funded with over 1.2 million dollars in Federal Lands Access Program funds and a small match from the city. The multimodal network will provide residents with viable alternative to vehicular travel with safe, accessible, and enjoyable bicycle and pedestrian trails from residential neighborhoods to parks, schools, public services, and the Wildlife Refuge.

This segment of the Gee Creek Trail will also serve as a part of the planned Lewis and Clark Regional Trail that will extend 50 Miles from the Steigerwald Lake Wildlife Refuge in Washougal through Vancouver and north to the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Reservation in LaCenter.

Construction of approximately 2,840' multi-modal pedestrian and bicycle trail to complete this final segment of the Gee Creek Trail, the backbone of Ridgefield's trail system that connects the community to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Major elements of work includes:

  • Construction of 10 feet impervious asphalt trail with 2' gravel shoulders
  • Construction of an 8 feet elevated wood boardwalk with curb rails
  • Construction of two bridges to cross Gee Creek
  • Pedestrian Crossing at Main Avenue

Project Documents:

Project Timeline:

  • Project Surveying and Permits, 2022-2023
  • Project Design, 2024
  • Trail Construction, 2025-2026

Trail Development


Past Projects

The first portion of the trail opened in 2009. Since then, additions in segments have been made to create a connection between neighborhoods to the north and south of Abrams Park and Downtown Ridgefield.

  1. 2021: Improvements between Heron Drive and Abrams Park

Improvements to the trail segment between Abrams Park and Heron Drive, were completed in Summer 2021.

These improvements were funded through a Federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant and included benches, landscaping, and a flashing pedestrian crossing at Heron Drive.