Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a nature reserve featuring shallow ponds, marshes, open meadows, and wooded areas along the Columbia River near the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The 1,049-acre property provides diverse habitats for wildlife and native plants throughout its landscape.

The refuge was established in 1987 to offset habitat loss caused by construction of the Bonneville Dam. Its creation was part of a broader effort to restore river ecosystems in the Columbia River region.

The Wildlife Art Trail displays sculptures and art installations throughout the refuge, connecting visitors with nature-focused creative expression as they move between different areas.

The grounds feature gravel walking paths with benches and accessible restrooms for visitors. Access is available daily from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm through automatic gates at the entrance.

The Steigerwald Reconnection Project redesigned the levee system to restore roughly 965 acres of floodplain back to the Columbia River ecosystem. This restoration work allows water to flow naturally through the landscape again, bringing wetland habitat back to areas that were previously isolated from the river.

Location: Washougal

Operator: United States Fish and Wildlife Service

GPS coordinates: 45.56571,-122.30317

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:52