Top Alternatives for Outdoor Fun During Steigerwald Lake Closure

Summer’s in full swing, but there’s one notable absence from your normal menu of outdoor options. It’s maybe even your everyday Plan A. Yeah, we know, and we feel you. Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge sets a high bar with amazing scenery and birdwatching. Lucky for all of us, our region is loaded with incredible nearby natural beauty.

To help you out with Plan B, the volunteers and staff of the Gorge Refuge Stewards have compiled some of their favorite alternative outdoor hangs below.

If you want to add a little customization to your outdoor experience, here are a couple more resources the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has supported:

NW Family Dayacation – A totally free mobile app with easy, family-friendly outdoor adventures
Metro Park Finder – An interactive website that lets you search for places by activity interests

Speaking of having a Plan B, that’s also one of our tips to help you Recreate Responsibly. Be prepared with backup locations in case your first choice is too busy. It’s also advisable to check each site for updated closure information, practice physical distancing, and wear a mask when you’re near others. Find out more about how to Recreate Responsibly.

Without further ado, here’s the Gorge Refuge Stewards A-to-Z (or more accurately, Battle Ground-to-WhippleCreek) list of great, nearby, non-Steigerwald public lands!

For Wildlife Viewing:

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Located just west of Ridgefield, Washington, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is more than 5,200 acres preserved for migrating birds and wintering waterfowl. Dozens of species of birds and other wildlife can be observed at the Refuge.

DID YOU KNOW: There’s more than just the Columbia River and the name “National Wildlife Refuge” that connects Ridgefield and Steigerwald Lake. They’re both part of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Many of the same staff manage both refuges, in addition to Pierce and Franz Lake Refuges further down the Columbia River Gorge.

Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area is more than 11,500 acres of habitat including 21 lakes and numerous wetlands and sloughs, and supports at least 275 bird species throughout the year. Portions are closed to public access October through April.

Whitaker Ponds

Whitaker Ponds Nature Park is a favorite of volunteer trail steward Mat Millenbach. Located in northeast Portland (parking lot at 7040 NE 47th Avenue), the park is home to two ponds, a ½ mile loop trail, a gazebo, and a canoe launch into Whitaker Slough. The two ponds are surrounded by a black cottonwood forest which has been enhanced over the past 15 years with thousands of native plants. The park is frequented by many animals, including woodpeckers, rabbits, beavers, garter snakes, osprey, dragonflies, otters, wood ducks, and great horned owls nesting in the spring.

For Trail Time:

Western Columbia River Dike Trail

Approximately 1.4 miles of the Dike Trail remains open, and can be accessed from Captain William Clark Park or Steamboat Landing Park.

Washougal Waterfront Trail

Get the same amazing view of the Columbia River and Gorge at Washougal Waterfront Park. A 1.3 mile paved trail includes water access trails. Port of Camas-Washougal maintains several other area parks.

For Both:

Washougal Greenway Trail

On the eastern edge of Camas is the Washougal River Greenway Trail, which provides a 2.2 mile out and back with views of the river and surrounding wetlands. This is a wonderful hike with kids because there’s so much to look at and no steep climbs or narrow parts that might be difficult for little toddler legs. Bikes and strollers do just fine and leashed dogs are also welcome.

Lacamas Regional Park

Nearby is Lacamas Regional Park, featuring a 12 mile network of hiking and cycling trails, including the 3.5 mile Lacamas Heritage Trail. The Heritage Trail goes down the western length of the lake and covers good birding areas. Busy on nice days, so go early in the morning, late in the evening, or when the weather is crummy. “The wildlife I have seen here includes nesting great horned owls, lots of bats, green herons, spotted sandpipers, and pine siskins,” says local birder and volunteer refuge steward Thomas Hull. “I have also seen birds typical of open habitat like barn owls, western kingbirds, and American kestrels in the fields surrounding the northern end of the trail.” There is parking at either end of the trail. Lacamas Park, located along Round Lake and Lacamas Creek, also includes many areas excellent for birdwatching.

Beacon Rock State Park

Beacon Rock has more than 25 miles of trails and roads open to hiking. The trail around Doetsch Ranch in the lower parking area is a leisurely paved, flat low-trafficked loop, and a favorite of Jared Strawderman, employee of the Refuge Stewards who works at Steigerwald. Jared reports seeing loggerhead shrike and Lewis’s Woodpeckers while walking the loop. For a serious workout, head up Hamilton Mountain to see incredible views like the Pool of the Winds–the waterfall on Hardy Creek,waterfall which flows through Pierce National Wildlife Refuge and contains spawning Chum Salmon.

Note: the trail to the top of Beacon Rock is currently closed due to COVID-19.

Cape Horn Trail

The Cape Horn Trail is one of the closest Columbia River Gorge trails to the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. It features wide-ranging views up and down the river, rocky cliffs and crags, streams and a waterfall. The full trail is a 7.2 mile loop with 1,300 feet of elevation change. The route is well signed and has seen numerous improvements over the years, including sturdier trail treads and new overlooks. The trails here take advantage of slivers of public land surrounded by private property, so make sure you stay on the route. The lower Cape Horn Trail is closed from February 1-July 15 for nesting peregrine falcons. During that time it is still possible to hike from the trailhead to Nancy Russell Overlook to the Oak View Overlook, and return via the same route. Keep your dog on a leash: There are numerous unprotected clifftop vantage points, and dogs have fallen to their deaths on several occasions.

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

This Refuge is more than 1,800 acres located on the outskirts of Southwest Portland, in the town of Sherwood. It is home to nearly 200 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, 25 reptiles and amphibians, and more. Four miles of trails are open to explore various habitats.