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Wildlife refuge · Washington

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its own timing: March and April.

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge in pictures

Illustrative photos, not current conditions
Migrane Lake viewed from Soda Lake Dam in Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
Migrane Lake viewed from Soda Lake Dam in Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: stevevoght · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · resized

What the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says

“In its natural state, almost all of Columbia National Wildlife Refuge would be considered desert, with the exception of the naturally ephemeral Crab Creek.”
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When to go

In the source's own words; no peak claimed unless the source says so
  • March and April“The largest concentrations of ducks, geese and lesser Sandhill cranes arrive on the refuge in March and April, at times numbering over 75,000 individuals.”

Before you go

To see the exposed basalt columns up close, try the Pipistrelle Cliffs at the head of the Black Lake Trail.

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge on the map

With the places we follow within 60 miles

Nearby

Within 60 straight-line miles; roads are longer

Worth the drive

60 to 100 straight-line miles away

Turnbull Refuge 84 mi

How we know

Every fact on this page, from these pages