Kayaking in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington
Just north of Portland, Oregon, is the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, where kayakers can observe osprey, black-tailed deer, the American beaver, bald eagles, and more – not to mention lovely floating homes – from Lake River.
Learn about this beautiful flatwater paddling route, where to park, and a tip for renting a kayak if you need one (or two – bring a friend!).
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What’s the paddling experience like at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge?
This flatwater kayaking route will take you along Lake River, a tributary to the Columbia River. Lake River is tidal, so check the tide tables, wind conditions, and weather before you come out for a paddle.
Tidal currents can make this a tougher kayaking experience than some other routes in the Portland, Oregon area. We enjoyed a flat, relaxing and fun paddle this summer, with some epic sunny conditions - but we’ve also had paddling days where the current was much stronger.
Our favorite route from the Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch is going south (left - upriver) – away from the Columbia River, where boat traffic can be extensive and more challenging paddling conditions exist. On our recommended route, you’ll paddle past floating homes on your left side, and the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is on the right.
On my recent trip kayaking Lake River in Washington, I took out my Oru Inlet Folding Kayak (which I’ve owned for two years now) and the Oru 4-piece kayak paddle. It’s a very portable haul of gear, that easily fits in the back of my small SUV along with my life jacket, dry bag, and more.
What wildlife can I observe when kayaking on Lake River?
Lake River, Washington is a beautiful river to kayak and observe wildlife in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Cranes, hawks, osprey, black-tailed deer, and bald eagles are known to frequent this area. (Learn more about commonly sighted animals in the PNW).
We’ve also heard about the incredible seasonal salmon – so we’ll be back!
UPDATE for October, 2022: We recently spotted two incredible bald eagles at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge!
If you want to learn five key tips to increase your chances of seeing these iconic birds in the wild, check out our post here. Definitely a bucket list experience for PNW kayakers.
Lake River in Ridgefield, Washington
Can I rent a kayak at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Washington?
Yes. Alder Creek has a rental location right on Lake River. Reservations are highly recommended. Pop their business address in your GPS – whether you’re renting a kayak or not, this is address will get you to the parking lot and launch ramp: 5 Mill St, Ridgefield, WA 98642.
Alder Creek - Lake River rental location
While I can’t vouch for the rental experience – I brought my own kayak that day – it seemed to be a thriving business and I’ve heard that reservations fill up quickly (so be sure to call ahead of your visit).
Another thing to note, is that this single and double kayak rental location is on-river, as compared to some other locations that are near-water but require some gear hauling. This one is very convenient and you’ll be paddling around Lake River in no time!
Interested in the folding kayak that we use at Flatwater Kayak Club?
You might’ve noticed that we kayak a lot with our Oru Inlet kayak model. Interested in figuring out if this foldable kayak is the right model for you? Here’s a handy link to compare the Oru models.
We also did a full, in-depth Oru Inlet origami kayak review after two years of using it across the Pacific Northwest.
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