Find a Trail
Ridgefield is home to an expansive trail network showing off our natural resources and wildlife. This collection of trail information is ever growing.
Connect on Strava
To find short trail segments connecting to subdivisions around town, download the Strava app, create an account (hint: you can skip the free trial and go right to the free version), and Follow the City of Ridgefield. Go to the City of Ridgefield profile on Strava and click "Activities" to browse trail segments. Instructions to use Strava on a browser (PDF).
Use the interactive map below to find a park, trail, or recreation facility near you! (Hint: you can expand the map using the rectangle in the top right corner)
*Temporary Trail Closure: Segment between N 35th Avenue and N Helens View Drive is closed until further notice due to ongoing construction in close proximity.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Trails
The Refuge offers multiple trails on varying terrain for visitors enjoyment. Daily entrance fees are required.
Oaks to Wetlands Trail
- Open Year-round, daily
- The Oaks to Wetlands trail is located on the Carty Unit of the Refuge. The trail has several internal loops and offers hiking distances of less than a mile to over 2 miles. The Cathlapotle Plankhouse may be viewed from this trail.
Kiwa Trail
- Seasonal Closure
- A 1.5-mile loop with wildlife as the star attraction. Experienced birders can identify 40 to 50 species in a single morning.
Carty Lake Trail
- Open May 1 - September 30
- The Carty Lake Trail entrance is located at the Port of Ridgefield. The trail system offers Port visitors a free path to the Lake River overlook. Beyond there, visitors can go on the fee-entry seasonal trail to the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, the Oaks to Wetlands Trail System and Refuge Office. Visitors can connect back to town by exiting the refuge at Main Avenue and walking along the newly improved pedestrian path for a 5-mile loop trail system through the Refuge, City and Port.
- Please note: Refuge Trails are a fee area and no dogs are allowed.
Lewis River to Vancouver Lake Water Trail
A 32 mile water trail that stretches from Lewis River to Vancouver Lake, includes the entire stretch of Lake River, and passes right through the heart of Ridgefield.
View the trip recommendation on Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership.
Suggested Loops on City Trails
Below is a curated list of possible loops to be walked in the trail network.
Walk Length: 1 mileAbrams Park in downtown Ridgefield is one of the 'gems' in the Ridgefield Park System. Abrams has several trails to explore.
This highlights one possible walk. This route started at the parking lot at the entrance into the park at the end of Abrams Park Road. On the trail in the park you will pass a children's playground, the 'Frank Burris Stage', cross a couple of wooden foot bridges, stroll through Mayor's Meadow and get to see the iconic 'Lefty's' Barn. You leave the trail at Lefty's Barn and will need to walk on the shoulder of Pioneer Road for a short distance to get you onto a sidewalk. Take a right onto S 8th Avenue to the end of the road to the short trail that will take you down onto the sidewalk along Abrams Park Road towards the park entrance. Cross at the crosswalk at the end of the sidewalk. Cross the short wooden bridge and turn right at the fork to get right back to the start of this route.
This trail surface varies from crushed rock, dirt, pavement, concrete and shredded bark.
Walk Length: .98 miles
Abrams Park in downtown Ridgefield is one of the 'gems' in the Ridgefield Park System. Abrams has several trails to explore, this highlights one possible walk.
The route combines two trails to create a circular route. This route winds its way from the parking lot at the entrance of Abrams Park where the large flagpole for the Roger-Ross Field stands. The Field is dedicated to the memory of Roger and Ross Helberger and was installed in 1976.
There is also a nice large play structure and several picnic table on this side of the park. The trail up the hillside is a series of switchbacks through the wooded hillside. Among other trees you will see Fir, Cedar and Maple trees.
On your way up the hillside you will see some side trails that are part of the Disc Golf Course.
When you get to the top of the hill turn right at the intersection. You will be on a trail that runs behind the Heron Ridge and Bellwood Heights Subdivisions. There are lots of black berry plants along this portion of the trail.
Look for a grassy Gase line Easement on your right (It's about .2 of a mile after you turn right at the top of the trail) to take a small trail down to the east end of the soccer fields at Abrams Park. Follow the gravel roadway to the left and this will take you back around to the parking lots. Walk through the parking lots to get back to the flagpole where you started.
This route is not bike or stroller friendly.
Walk Length: 1.13 miles
Abrams Park in downtown Ridgefield is one of the 'gems' in the Ridgefield Park System.
Abrams has several trails to explore, this highlights one possible walk. The first portion of this walk winds its way from the parking lot at the entrance of Abrams Park to Heron Ridge Drive. Up Heron Ridge Drive to Main Avenue, left on Main, left Division Road. Division Road turns into Abrams Park Road. Abrams Park Road will take you back where you started at a gentle sloop downward.
The route is paved the entire way. The trail portion through Abrams Park will take you along Gee Creek. It's a bike and stroller friendly route.
Walk Length: 0.89 miles
You can get to the trail head by taking S Sevier Road off of Hillhurst Road.
The trail starts out at nice little park at the beginning of the Teal Crest Subdivision that has a play structure for 2-12 year old children and a pavilion with four picnic tables.
One thing that struck me right away after entering the wooded portion of the trail, was just how quiet and peaceful it was. There was a bit of breeze at the start of the walk and some of the tall maple trees are touching so I heard some creaking sounds. The wood chipped surface is a little uneven. You will come across active mole hills! A portion of the trail runs near the bluff that overlooks the Refuge. One end of the trail has lots of stinging nettle plants at the edge of the trail. In a couple of areas, it had fallen onto part of the trail surface. There is a short climb out of the trail on either end. The trail portion of the walk is not stroller friendly. The remainder of the walk is through the Teal Crest Subdivision.
To date there are only two homes being built with many more planned for the near future.
Walk Length:.74 miles
You can access this trail by taking S Sevier Road off S Hillhurst Drive.
This gravel and dirt trail runs along a verdant gully. You will see lots of towering maple, fir, and cedar trees. Many of them are covered with thick layers of moss. Ferns blanket the hillside on either side of most of the trail. It is one of the 'Gems' of the Ridgefield Trail System.
While on this walk there's a good chance you will see Towhee, Chickadees and Stellar Jays.
You will travel downhill at the beginning of the walk and have a bit of a climb on your way out. There are railings built for handholds on the steep portions of the trail. Be sure to wear sure footed shoes. It is not stroller or bike friendly. The portion through the subdivision was very pleasant. The home owners have lovely front yards.
Walk Length: 0.38 miles
You can access this trail by taking S Sevier Road off S Hillhurst Drive.
The.23 miles trail portion takes you along a rolling trail above a gully. The forest is open with a spattering of Thimbleberry bushes and Horsetails and Ferns. Wooden handrails are on the steeper trail sections.
The trail at either end starts with a paved surface and then becomes gravel/dirt with you reach the wooded area. It is pleasant little trail. It is not stroller or bike friendly on the dirt portion.
The portion through the subdivision was very pleasant. The homeowners have lovely front yards.
Neighborhood Parks are located on either end of the trail portion. The triangle park has a play structure for the little ones and a picnic table. At the other end by the drainage pond you will find three nicely spaced picnic tables in a grassy area and a small waffle ball court. There is fencing around part of the court.
Walk Length: 0.52 miles
You can get to the Trail Head by turning onto S Fieldcrest Drive off of S 45th Avenue
The short little trail section has a wonderful variety of bird life. A portion of the trail goes by wetlands and the remainder along a beautiful gully with numerous trees (some exceptionally large) flowers and other plant life.
Some of the birds that may be seen along this walk: Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, Red-winged Blackbirds, Killdeer, Sandpipers, Savannah's Sparrow, Yellow-Rumped Warbler and Mallard Duck.
After coming out of the Trail Head on the north end, walk up S 11th Way and turn right onto S 8th Way, right onto S Fieldcrest Drive and you'll soon be back at the south Trail Head.
Walk Length: 0.69 miles
The best way to access this trail is to park at the east end of N 5th Street off of N 45th Avenue and walk west down the sidewalk to the corner of N 5th Street and 45th. Then it is just a matter of crossing the street to the Trail Head. (The trail can also be accessed off NW 26th Avenue) This trail runs alongside a beautiful Habitat Buffer area, so it is a great bird watching trail. You will see lots of birds, frogs and other wildlife along the trail.
The mileage shown reflects an out and back route. The surface of the trail is crushed gravel.
Walk Length: 1.89 miles
This walk was started off N Heron Drive. The rolling trail portion of this walk runs along the south side of Heron Ridge and Bellwood Heights Subdivisions. It starts with a crushed gravel surface and quickly turns to pavement for the rest of the trail portion. Crow's Nest Park is located at the east end of the trail. It has a basketball court, a couple of benches, two picnic tables and a small play structure. To continue through the subdivision turn left onto N 5th Way, right onto Lark Drive, left onto N 9th Way, left onto N 18th Place and right onto N Heron Drive which will take you back to where you started.
There are some uneven places on the paved trail and the sidewalks through the subdivision. Do pay attention to higher or lower sidewalk segments.
This trail is bike and stroller friendly. You can see by the map that there are a number of ways to start the route.
Walk Length: 0.57 mile
To get to the north end Trail Head take S 29th Place off of Hillhurst Road. Turn right onto S White Salmon Drive and turn left onto S Coho Place. The Trail Head is on the corner of S Coho Place and S Harper Valley Way. The paved trail runs along a lush treed gully and meadow. You will see lots of birds. Dark-eyed Juncos, Robins, Black-Capped Chickadees and Ring-necked Doves were seen along the trail. If you are lucky you may even see some deer!
The Nature Play area at the southern end has lots of logs and stumps to climb and walk on. You can even plan on a picnic and sit at one of two picnic tables. A large fenced drainage pond separates the trail from the west side of the subdivision. There is a bit of an uphill climb to get out of the trail at either end.
To create a loop through the subdivision walk along S Chinook Drive at the south Trail Head. Turn left onto S White Salmon Drive and left onto S Coho Place to return to the north end trail-head at the corner of S Coho Place and S Harper Valley Way.
Walk Length: 1 mile
You can get to the Trail Head used for this route by turning onto S 19th Way off S Hillhurst Drive. The road swings to the left and becomes S 22nd Place then swings to the right and becomes S 17th Way. Take 17th Way to S 24th Court road and turn left. The walk was started at the S 24th Court Trail Head.
This trail is part of the Gee Creek Trail System. The trail portion is around.3 miles long. It is a beautiful little hike with lots of wildflowers and birds. You will cross a wooden bridge that spans a little seasonal stream. Part of the trail has a series of stairs, so this trail is not bike or stroller friendly. (There are two dead end trails that turn off the main trail near each end.) You will come out of the trail at S 13th Court circle. Follow S 13th and turn left on S 21st Place. Take the Dog Walking Loop to the right off S 21st, which will take you to S Osprey Drive at the end of the loop. Turn right onto S Osprey Drive. Turn left onto S Titan Drive, left onto S 17th Way and left onto S 24th Place which will take you back to the Trail Head where you started.
SEGMENT CLOSURE:
A landslide has temporarily closed a trail segment between S 13th Circle and S 24th Pl in the area of Garrison Ridge, Osprey Point and Cassini View neighborhoods. The trail segment has been closed until the slide is repaired and it is determined safe to re-open the trail. Thank you for respecting this closure.
Walk Length: 0.7 miles
You can access this trail at several different places in the subdivision. I started this route on N Pioneer Canyon Drive. The trail follows the perimeter of the Wildlife Habitat Wetland area. It is exceptionally beautiful with lots of birds and you may even see a rabbit or two.
The entire surface is pavement and sidewalk. The trail is bike and stroller friendly.
Walk Length: 1.75 miles
You can get to this trail by taking Division Street west off Main Avenue in downtown Ridgefield. This route was started at the parking lot for the Boat Launch. The mileage shown reflects an out and back route.
This trail runs along the eastern edge of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. You will want to walk this trail on a regular basis if you are a bird watcher. Some of the birds you'll see live here year-round. Others are passing through or wintering on the refuge. If you walk in the evening you may see a stunning sunset. You are sure to see a rabbit or two as well. There are two Osprey nesting platforms located in the area and you may get to see one hunting. There are several benches and picnic tables located at the launch. If you've brought your dog along for a walk, you'll find several disposal stations along the way. The Port of Ridgefield encourages pet owners to leash their pets. Please note: The Carty Lake Trail and entrance into the Refuge is open seasonally nearby. The Refuge is a fee area and dogs are not permitted.
This trail is paved. There is a loop off the paved portion this has a gravel surface. The paved portion is stroller and bike friendly.
Walk Length: 1.3 miles
You can get to the Trailhead by taking S 45th Avenue to S Wells road. Turn East onto S Wells Road, turn right into S 50th Place, take an immediate left onto S 16th Drive. The road swings to the right and turns into S 51st Place Look for the black chain link fence on your left. The Trailhead starts there.
The trail surface is covered with shredded bark and trees. It has an uneven walking surface. The trail portion is approximately.7 miles. The rest of the loop was walked on subdivision sidewalks. It is also bikeable. If you have a little one you want to push in a stroller you should probably use one with larger wheels.
You can see a variety of birds along the gully and in the drainage ponds. Lots of big trees in and along the gully edge. Some of the birds you may see along the trail are: Canada Geese, Tree Swallows, Dark-Eyed Juncos, pair of Ring-Necked Ducks, Red Winged Black Birds, Robins and Chickadees.
Walk Length: 2.45 miles
The John Hudson Trail allows walkers, folks with strollers, bikers, and runners to safely travel to the north entrance of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge from downtown Ridgefield. The mileage shown reflects an out and back route. At the north end of the trail you can either turn around and head straight back the way you came or follow the trail that takes off to the left, loops through the parking lot and pick up the trail that goes through a grassy meadow and returns to the main trail to create that loop shown on the north end. You are sure to see any number birds along this route. While recording this route there were several buzzards soaring above the railroad tracks.