TRAILS & WILDLIFE
Fourteen miles of trail, three ways to see the park
Every trail at Kestrel Ridge starts from one of two parking lots and is marked with color-coded blazes. Trail conditions are posted at the kiosk and updated after storms or heavy rain, when the Wetland Boardwalk can flood.
Ridge Trail
4.2 miles · Moderate
Climbs steadily to the ridge overlook, with the park’s best view over the Alder Valley. Rocky and rooted in sections — sturdy shoes recommended.
Wetland Boardwalk
0.8 miles · Easy
A flat, wheelchair- and stroller-friendly loop over the marsh. The park’s best spot for birdwatching, especially at dawn.
Deep Woods Loop
2.1 miles · Easy-moderate
Winds through old-growth hemlock and hardwood forest. Shaded and cool even in summer, with a good chance of spotting deer near dusk.
What you might see
Kestrel Ridge sits along a migratory flyway, and the wetland draws herons, wood ducks, and the occasional osprey in spring and fall. The forest is home to white-tailed deer, red fox, and a healthy population of songbirds. Volunteers keep a running sightings log at the kiosk — ask a ranger to see the most recent entries.
Trail conditions and closures are posted at the kiosk and shared with our email list. Questions about a specific trail? Send us a message and select “Trail conditions” as the topic.