Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Gibbons Creek
Western Gorge, Washington
Steigerwald Lake (photographer: Debbie Asakawa)
alert Trail Alert, Jul 24, 2020: The Gibbons Creek trail is closed due to construction on the Steigerwald Reconnection Project, scheduled for completion in 2022. Learn more about the project at estuarypartnership.org/our-work/habitat-restoration/steigerwald-floodplain-restoration-project
Hike Details
Type:
Out to a loop and back
Distance:
2.8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:
feet
Difficulty:
Easy
Trail Features
Family Friendly:
Yes
Restrooms:
Yes
Trailhead Pass:
No
Trail Details
Beautiful ViewsIce Age FloodsIce Age FloodsBird Viewing
A lovely trail at Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge - great for birding and wildlife viewing. This trail is a flat graveled path that leads you through riparian areas rich in wildlife viewing opportunities. Hikers may see great blue herons, geese, ducks, grebes, pileated woodpeckers, great horned owls and more.
 
Please Note: No dogs are allowed at the wildlife refuge.
 
History
Like the Sandy River Delta across the river, Steigerwald was once a dairy farm and was zoned industrial land prior to passage of the National Scenic Area Act. Proposals such as nuclear power plants had threatened the area, but eventually local birding enthusiasts Wilson and Susan Cady and others convinced Senator Mark Hatfield to push for designation of Steigerwald as a national wildlife refuge and the Trust for Public Lands purchased an option on the property until the federal government could purchase it. Today, Steigerwald and the Sandy River Delta are the Gorge's western gateways, serving as development buffers that support thousands of acres of wildlife habitat. 


Directions & Travel Tips

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge:  From Oregon, travel north on either I-5 or I-205. Then head east on WA Hwy 14. Travel through Washougal. Just past the National Scenic Area welcome sign (MP 18), look for the Steigerwald parking entrance on the right/south side of highway. No Discover Pass is required here.