Name: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Auto Tour and Coffee
Start: 2025-11-25T12:00:00-08:00
End: 2025-11-25T15:00:00-08:00
Location: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

**\*\*\*Read ALL driving directions at the bottom\*\*\***

Come get a [soothing nature fix](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Wn8zEZ34E) before you face all your relatives on Thanksgiving.

[Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge](https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ridgefield/visit-us/activities) has a relaxing auto tour where you drive around, safari-style, scanning rivers, forests, sloughs, and fields for all sorts of interesting fur and feathers from the comfort and warmth of your car. Because you are required to remain in your vehicle at all times, the animals are calmer and they often come very close.

I've seen raptors, swans, herons, ducks, kingfishers, sandhills, geese, owls, deer, rabbits, coyotes, otters, and a blonde nutria that stood out in the deep green forest like a bleach stain on the couch. Not sure if she's still around but [she was a legend](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJZH8zbpbnc). I've heard stories about foxes, and bobcats, too.

We'll meet at the pay kiosk and head out in a slow caravan, stopping often for nature sightings. About 1.3 mi. in, we'll park at a restroom and walk the flat, gravel 400'-long Observation Blind Trail to a raised deck bird blind. The trail has excellent moss, fern, and mushroom action this time of year--I'm lookin' for newts!

Afterwards, we'll drive back into the town of Ridgefield and assemble at [Seasons Coffee](https://www.oldlibertytheater.com/seasons-coffee) in the Old Liberty Theater. They offer Pull Caffe beans roasted in Yacolt, WA, in the [oldest wood fired coffee roaster in the world](https://pullcaffe.com/)! They also have beer, wine, pastries, and sandwiches. Free parking right across the street in a large lot.

**Bring $10 cash** (and $3 cash Ridgefield entrance fee per car, [or $2.50 online](https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/1581)), water, binoculars, camera, and [WEATHER](https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/wa/ridgefield/KWARIDGE170) appropriate clothing. Restrooms at pay kiosk, bird blind hiking trail, and coffee shop. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.

**DIRECTIONS to Auto Tour meeting spot: From the intersection of S. Hillhurst Road and NW Refuge Road, continue downhill on gravel NW Refuge Road about 0.6 mi., cross over the bridge, and park at the pay kiosk on the left. Look for my deep blue Honda CRV.**

**DIRECTIONS from Auto Tour to Seasons Coffee (115 N Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642, big yellow building):** **Backtrack up to S. Hillhurst Road, turn left and go 0.9 mi. to Pioneer Street. Turn left and go 0.4 mi. to S. Main Ave. Turn right and immediately start looking for parking. There is a gravel lot nearby on the right and on-street parking all around. No parking fee.**

Anna

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