Recreation
Located at the Ridgefield Waterfront where the banks of Lake River meet the Columbia River at the North tip of Bachelor Island, our boat launch is an incredible local resource.
This idyllic location offers you the chance to row casually along the Lake River or speed into the Columbia and experience incredible river vistas.
Our boat launch includes two ramps with a center launch float, a single day-use dock, paved parking lot, restroom facilities, ADA-accessible facilities and a grassy picnic area where you can rest and enjoy the views before or after your journey.
Our dock and river access is a delight to boaters year-round! Come see what all the talk is about!
Fees & Permits
In order to make use of our facilities, you must pay a use fee to obtain a local permit. Daily permits are available for purchase at the Mill Street Launch by using the ticket machine at the public restroom.
Generate excitement
Nestled in the heart of Ridgefield, the National Wildlife Refuge provides a memorable birding opportunity for enthusiasts and first-time watchers alike.
This national treasure contains 5,300 acres of lush wetlands, grasslands, forests, and riparian corridors, all nurtured by a mild and rainy climate that makes it an ideal environment for neotropical song birds, waterfowl, and many other local, native species.
Located in the center of the Pacific Flyway, this refuge, with its wetlands, croplands, and natural floodplains, supports more than 220 species of birds, many of them leaving their breeding grounds in Arctic Canada and Alaska and heading to their wintering homes in Baja California or South America. The lower Columbia wetlands, located in Ridgefield and at the refuge, provide a vital stopping place for these stunning creatures.
Diverse Experiences
The refuge is sectioned off into five areas, each offering a unique habitat. Two sections are open to the public and include driving and/or walking trails where you can see a wide variety of flora and fauna, including a vast array of birds. The other three sections remain a wildlife sanctuary, free from human interference.
With increasing development in Ridgefield, these sanctuary areas enable these beautiful creatures to thrive, undisturbed.
Whether you love strolling along quiet paths and observing wildlife, or have your camera in hand to capture some incredible shots, the National Wildlife Refuge is truly the destination for you! Enjoy walking trails, an auto tour route, and a wide variety of other opportunities to observe and enjoy unique and breathtaking wild creatures in healthy habitats.
Fishing is an ancient practice that both immerses us in nature and puts dinner on the table! The Port of Ridgefield offers superb options for hook-and-line enthusiasts along Lake River, where a multitude of fish can be found.
To purchase a fishing license, or to view fishing rules and regulations, visit Washington Fish & Wildlife.
- Coho Salmon
- Bream
- Bluegull
- Cutthroat Trout
- Crappie
- Chinook Salmon
- Largemouth Bass
- Smallmouth Bass
- Perchface
Wondering what fish are most active during your intended fishing dates? Check out this chart!
The Port maintains two boat launches on the banks of Lake River, located at the end of Mill Street. Our two cement launches include a center launch float, day-use dock, and grassy area, perfect for picnicking or baiting your hooks ahead of time. Take your vessel out on the river and enjoy epic views of the National Wildlife Refuge, Bachelor Slough and Bachelor Island.
The Ridgefield Waterfront
Find this picturesque, 1.5 mile round-trip paved walking path on the port’s waterfront property, starting at the boat launch. Watch boaters and kayakers, and spot wildlife on Carty Lake. Click here for a trail map.
Gee Creek Exploration Trail
Enjoy trailblazing? This is the hike for you. While not a maintained trail, this option is open to the public and allows you to experience a rugged natural path along the gentle Gee Creek.
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Located in the heart of Ridgefield, this national treasure features unique habitat and wildlife. Located along a major waterfowl migratory route, numerous bird species land here to rest and recuperate before continuing their journeys. Whether you want to stroll with a camera in hand or take a jog, the refuge offers three major trails for your enjoyment and a wide array of wildflowers, birds and other wildlife for you to enjoy along the way.
Ridgefield and the surrounding areas are a hiker’s delight. Hikers and walkers alike have numerous opportunities to get out and move among the greenery and breathtaking views. The Pacific Northwest is a hiking paradise, and in Ridgefield you’ll have access to a variety of options. Strap on your hiking boots and prepare to be amazed!
To learn more about The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, visit their website!
Endless, Incredible Activities!
Endless, Incredible Activities!
Endless, Incredible Activities!
If you’re lucky enough to either visit or reside in the Pacific Northwest, you’re familiar with the huge variety of outdoor recreational activities at your very fingertips. Hiking, skiing, camping, golf, boating, and fishing are all available just minutes away from our Port of Ridgefield, as well as sailing, mountain climbing, and surfing.
If you’re looking for the arts, you’ll find world-class symphonies, opera, jazz, ballet, and theatre nearby, well-paired with incredible local cuisine.
Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center
Endless, Incredible Activities!
Endless, Incredible Activities!
May of 1980 marked the explosion of Mt. St. Helens, a catastrophic natural occurrence that drew the world’s eyes to the Pacific Northwest and an enormous amount of attention to North Clark County. The site remains a haunting testament to the power and unpredictability of nature, where you can stop in at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Visitor Center to learn more about this historic event.
The center includes walking trails that take you into the valley, where green life slowly returns where volcanic ash once reigned supreme. The center even offers a theater where you can experience a “blast from the past” and view the explosion. Learn more here!
National Wildlife Refuge
Endless, Incredible Activities!
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Part of the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south travel route for migratory birds that extends from Alaska to Patagonia, the National Wildlife Refuge is a sight to behold! Nestled in the heart of Ridgefield, this refuge is home to hawks, eagles, great blue heron, deer, fox, and many more, all visible via auto tour in your car or a quiet walk on one of many available trails. Want to tour the refuge via water? Consult the Lewis River – Vancouver Lake Paddle Guide!
Curious about other local activities? Contact us at the Port today! We’re happy to advise you on any and all available excursions in the area.
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
This local gem has the potential to provide days of incredible sight-seeing, hiking, wind-surfing, picnicking, camping, bird-watching, photography, rock climbing and more! The Gorge, spanning 80 miles and 4000 feet deep, makes good on promises of breathtaking waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, the second highest year-round waterfall in the US. The nearby City of Hood River boasts more wind-surfers than anywhere else in the world. This Gorge has it all, for every member of the family.
Tri Mountain Golf Course
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Tri Mountain Golf Course
Awarded 4 stars and named one of Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play in 2008, this 18-hole, links-style course offers a medium-sized green and 11 lakes. The club house boasts excellent amenities, including exceptional dining. If you are looking to book a business event, meeting rooms and catering are available. Looking for an extraordinary experience? The aquatic driving range and eighteen-hole putting course feature spectacular vistas, with views of Oregon's Mt Hood, as well as Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams.
Use Fees & Permits
Generate excitement
In order to make use of our facilities, you must pay a use fee to obtain a local permit. The fee amount is $50 for Ridgefield residents with a 98642 home zip code.
The permit can be purchased by mailing the form below to the Port of Ridgefield or visit the Port Office at 101 Mill Street Suite 100. Cash or Check only is accepted.
Daily permits are available for purchase at the Mill Street Boat Launch by using a credit card at the ticket machine next to the public restroom.
2023 Recreational Boat Launch Use Application (pdf)
DownloadPort of Ridgefield
Address: 101 Mill Street, Suite 100, Ridgefield, WA 98642 - Mail: PO BOX 55, Ridgefield, WA 98642
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