Pierce National Wildlife Refuge

Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington.

Pierce Refuge is located in southwest Washington within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It encompasses wetlands and uplands along the north shore of the Columbia River west of the town of North Bonneville. Refuge habitats include wetlands, Columbia River riparian corridor blocks, transitional woodlands from willows to cottonwood/ash to white oak to Douglas fir, improved pastures with some native grasses, and numerous creeks, seeps, and springs. Hardy Creek, which bisects the refuge from east to west, supports one of the last remaining runs of chum salmon on the Columbia River. In addition to chum salmon, the creek also supports small remnant runs of Coho, steelhead and Chinook salmon as well as a variety of native species of freshwater fish. The refuge headquarters also serves as main office for Steigerwald Lake and Franz Lake Refuges. Current visitor opportunities are limited to arranged group tours and viewing from the summit of Beacon Rock and the Hamilton Mountain Trail (both located in Beacon Rock State Park).


Directions

Travel west from Vancouver, Washington on State Highway 14 to milepost 36, first driveway on the right. The office and residence are combined, with the office entrance on the south side of the building on the first floor.

Additional Information