Birds and nature lovers alike will enjoy a trip to this fascinating wildlife refuge where you can escape from it all. Just 10 miles east of the city in the Columbia River Gorge, this sprawling refuge is a home to hundreds of birds and a wonderful place to spend an afternoon on a hike and bird spotting adventure.
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1987 as a sanctuary to protect migrating birds.
Just 20 minutes from the city, across the river near Washougal, WA, it is a close escape that allows you to slow down and enjoy the nature around you.
With over 1,000 acres of beautiful wetlands and woodlands along the river, it has grown as a tourist attraction since it opened its doors to visitors with the installation of a trail in 2009.
Notice the white gourds situated around the park while you are there. These are purple martin nesting boxes for the birds which migrate from far-flung locations like Brazil, Argentina and Peru.
With an estimated 100,000 visitors annually, this is one popular place to spend a little quiet time in nature that you are going to love.
By allowing the birds to winter without human interaction, the refuge is able to remain open and visitors can still enjoy the great space alongside the wildlife.
The Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is open from dawn till dusk, with current hours of 7 am to 5:30 pm daily. To protect wildlife, leave your bikes, scooters, and dogs at home, as they are not allowed.
Have you been to Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge? Tell us about your trip in the comments below.
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